Comparison

Emu50g vs Plus42

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Emu50g

This app provides a full emulation of the HP50g scientific calculator, complete with its original skin. Save and load calculator states, manage libraries, and transfer data to and from your computer. Enjoy sound effects and a high-definition interface for a familiar calculator experience on your device.

Highlights
  • Full HP50g calculator emulation
  • Save and load calculator states
  • Manage and load custom libraries
  • Copy/paste to device clipboard
  • File transfer via WiFi/LAN
  • Original HD skin
  • Sound effects
Features
Read full description

Emu50G is an emulator for the famous HP50g scientific calculator with its original skin. Carry your favorite calculator along with you every day and use it together with your favorite library! Features: -------- • Full emulation of the HP50g calculator. (You should refer to original HP50g user guide to learn how to use it.) • Save (backup) actual calc state and create new one. • Load saved state (restore backup). • Save and load your favorite libraries, etc. (you must provide them by yourself) • Copy and paste your calculator results or screenshots to and from the iPhone/iPod clipboard. • Transfer files from and to your computer (WiFi and LAN required). • Original HD skin files. • Support for landscape (currently for Whole Sized skin – iPad default skin) • Support of sound effects. • Tap the LCD to get more information.

About

Plus42

This advanced scientific calculator simulates the classic HP-42S RPN calculator with enhanced features. It offers algebraic expressions, unit conversions, directories for storage, a larger resizable display, financial functions, and 2D plotting with integral and root finding.

Highlights
  • HP-42S RPN calculator simulation
  • Algebraic expressions
  • Attached units and conversions
  • Program and variable directories
  • Resizable 8-row, 22-column display
  • Time value of money and amortization
  • 2D function plotting with zoom and pan
Features
Read full description

Plus42 is an advanced scientific programmable calculator, based on Free42. Free42, in turn, is a complete re-implementation of the HP-42S scientific programmable RPN calculator, which was made from 1988 until 1995 by Hewlett-Packard. Free42 is a complete rewrite and contains no HP code whatsoever. Plus42 builds on Free42 and adds: Algebraic expressions modeled after those used on the HP-27S and HP-17B/19B; attached units and unit conversions modeled after those used on the HP-48/49/50 series; directories for more organized storage of programs and variables; a larger display, with 8 rows and 22 columns (131x64 pixels) by default, which the user may resize at will; time value of money and amortization schedules; and two-dimensional plotting of functions, with ability to zoom and pan, and find integrals and roots from points in the plot.

Screenshots

Emu50g1 screens
Plus424 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Plus42 at 4.9 against Emu50g's 4.0. Plus42 also leads on review sentiment (92% vs 51%) and update cadence (weekly vs every 6 weeks). Emu50g's advantage is price ($8.99 vs $9.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Emu50g costs $8.99 and Plus42 $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Plus42 holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 46 and 79 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of Emu50g's written reviews are positive against 92% of Plus42's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Emu50g ships an update every 6 weeks, Plus42 weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Emu50g versus Plus42: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEmu50gPlus42
Price$8.99 — better$9.99
Rating4.0 (46 ratings)4.9 (79 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.7% of reviews92.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4679 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size44 MB11 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperTheWinterStorm (Marek Zima)Thomas Okken

Customer experience

Emu50g

All ratings46 ratings
Positive71.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative23.9%
Written reviews148 reviews
Positive50.7%
Neutral4.7%
Negative44.6%

Plus42

All ratings79 ratings
Positive97.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.5%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral2.6%
Negative5.1%

Bugs and requests

Emu50g

Reported bugs

16 issues
  • App crashes on startup
  • App freezes during use
  • App stops working after iOS updates
  • App does not open
  • App closes immediately after opening
Show 11 more
  • Data in Port 2 is lost
  • Key presses are not registered or delayed
  • Display shows garbage or is blank
  • Unable to load skin
  • Programs/libraries are corrupted or disappear
  • File structure is inaccessible
  • Copy/paste functionality is broken
  • Input mode indicators are missing
  • Calculator screen doesn't turn on
  • Error message 'cant open XML'
  • Calculations are incorrect (e.g., 18/5 = 18/5)

Requested features

17 requests
  • Update application urgently
  • Fix iOS compatibility issues
  • Improve key sensitivity/button size
  • Add high-resolution skin option
  • Allow program installation via file manager/iTunes
Show 12 more
  • Add Viga G program
  • Support for SD card emulation
  • Improve Port 2 stability
  • Option for dark mode
  • Better skins with bigger keys
  • Support for 64-bit iOS 11
  • Make calculator screen larger/occupy full screen
  • Allow transfer of programs from physical calculator
  • Fix copy/paste to/from stack
  • Add input mode indicators (left-shift, right-shift, alpha)
  • Fix Port 2 data persistence issue
  • Improve visual design of opening screen

Plus42

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Emu50g

No in-app purchases

None

Plus42

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Emu50g free?
Emu50g costs $8.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plus42 free?
Plus42 costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Emu50g or Plus42?
Plus42 is rated higher. Emu50g averages 4.0 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while Plus42 averages 4.9 from 79 ratings.
Do Emu50g or Plus42 have ads?
Neither Emu50g nor Plus42 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Emu50g or Plus42?
Emu50g ships an update every 6 weeks, and Plus42 weekly. Most recently, Emu50g was updated on October 17, 2026 and Plus42 on October 18, 2026.

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