# WolframAlpha vs R Programming Compiler

The clearest difference is rating: R Programming Compiler at 3.4 against WolframAlpha's 2.8. R Programming Compiler also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months) and review sentiment (54% vs 35%). WolframAlpha's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. WolframAlpha sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and R Programming Compiler sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

R Programming Compiler holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 129 and 94 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 35% of WolframAlpha's written reviews are positive against 54% of R Programming Compiler's.

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, R Programming Compiler every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | WolframAlpha | R Programming Compiler |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.8 (129 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535/reviews) | **[3.4 (94 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r-programming-compiler/id1158038782/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **129** | 94 |
| Positive reviews | 35.2% of reviews | **53.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 366 MB | 17 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Wolfram Group LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/715130979) | [Ketan Appa](https://appshunter.io/developer/576435759) |

## What reviewers say

### WolframAlpha

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wolframalpha/id548861535)

This app serves as a powerful computational knowledge engine for homework and research. It offers comprehensive support across numerous academic subjects, from math and physics to biology and economics. Unlock advanced features like step-by-step solutions and photo input for a more in-depth learning experience.

**Highlights:** Step-by-step solutions with hints, Photo input for math problems, Input Assistants for various subjects, Thousands of covered domains, Homework and exam preparation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro for Students Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro for Educators Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Pro Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro for Students Yearly | $59.99 | per year |
| Pro for Educators Yearly | $59.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Powerful search engine
- 📚 Comprehensive information
- 🔍 Helpful for math and other subjects
- ⭐ Essential app for students and professionals

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Buggy and crashes frequently
- 💰 Expensive subscription model
- 📵 Limited functionality in free version
- 🤔 Confusing and unintuitive to use

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Incompatible with older devices
- Search bar issues and crashes
- Incorrect or incomplete results

**Requested features**

- Dark mode option
- Improved handwritten math recognition
- Better integration with Siri
- More customization options


### R Programming Compiler

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/r-programming-compiler/id1158038782)

Write and execute R code directly on your mobile device. Ideal for learning, testing code snippets, and statistical computing. Features include syntax highlighting, package management, and plotting capabilities.

**Highlights:** Compile and run R programs, Supports plotting and graphing, Advanced source code editor, Custom keyboard for R characters, Install and manage R packages, Language reference guide

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1 Month Subscription | $4.99 | per month |
| 6 Months Subscription | $19.99 | per 6 months |
| 1 Year Subscription | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is WolframAlpha free?

WolframAlpha is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is R Programming Compiler free?

R Programming Compiler is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, WolframAlpha or R Programming Compiler?

R Programming Compiler is rated higher. WolframAlpha averages 2.8 out of 5 from 129 ratings, while R Programming Compiler averages 3.4 from 94 ratings.

### Do WolframAlpha or R Programming Compiler have ads?

R Programming Compiler shows ads; WolframAlpha does not.

### Which is updated more often, WolframAlpha or R Programming Compiler?

WolframAlpha ships an update every 2 months, and R Programming Compiler every 2 weeks. Most recently, WolframAlpha was updated on September 25, 2026 and R Programming Compiler on September 28, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*