# Retro 15C vs bcRPN

The clearest difference is rating: bcRPN at 4.8 against Retro 15C's 4.3. bcRPN also leads on update cadence (every 22 months vs every 53 months). Retro 15C's advantage is ratings volume (212 vs 4) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

bcRPN holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Retro 15C has 212 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Retro 15C's written reviews are positive against 80% of bcRPN's.

Retro 15C ships an update every 53 months, bcRPN every 22 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Retro 15C | bcRPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (212 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-15c/id583559000/reviews) | **[4.8 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bcrpn/id1614744829/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **212** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | 76.1% of reviews | **80.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 53 months | **Every 22 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 5 MB | 0 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Greg Hewgill](https://appshunter.io/developer/517923493) | [Paul Wilkins](https://appshunter.io/developer/1614739840) |

## What reviewers say

### Retro 15C

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/retro-15c/id583559000)

This app emulates a classic RPN scientific calculator, offering advanced features like complex number arithmetic, matrix calculations, and programmability. It provides a functional and complex tool reminiscent of 1980s calculators.

**Highlights:** Complex number arithmetic, Matrix calculations, Numerical root finder, Numerical integration, Statistical functions, Programmable

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Lightning-fast calculator
- 👍 Authentic look and feel of HP 15C
- 🚀 Faster than real HP 15C
- 👍 Excellent RPN emulation
- 👍 Familiar interface for HP 15C users

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't save settings, programs, or memory
- 🐛 No key press feedback or sound
- 🐛 Blinking display issue with large calculations
- 🐛 Bugs with HMS conversions
- 🐛 Can't close app on newer iPhones

**Reported bugs**

- Blinking display with large calculations
- Bugs with HMS conversions
- Inability to close app on newer iPhones
- Stopped working with iOS 14 updates

**Requested features**

- Add haptic feedback on key presses
- Implement continuous memory to save settings and programs
- Add portrait mode option
- Improve compatibility with newer iOS versions
- Add copy/paste functionality for stack and registers


### bcRPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bcrpn/id1614744829)

This utility app functions as a Reverse Polish Notation calculator. It handles complex numbers and utilizes extended precision for all calculations, offering an unlimited stack depth and an undo feature for up to 10 operations.

**Highlights:** Reverse Polish Notation (RPN) input, Complex number calculations, Extended precision math, Unlimited stack depth, Undo functionality (up to 10 operations)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Retro 15C free?

Retro 15C is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is bcRPN free?

bcRPN is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Retro 15C or bcRPN?

bcRPN is rated higher. Retro 15C averages 4.3 out of 5 from 212 ratings, while bcRPN averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.

### Do Retro 15C or bcRPN have ads?

Neither Retro 15C nor bcRPN shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Retro 15C or bcRPN?

Retro 15C ships an update every 53 months, and bcRPN every 22 months. Most recently, Retro 15C was updated on October 15, 2026 and bcRPN on October 7, 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.*