# Calca vs Shader × Node

The clearest difference is price: Shader × Node at Free against Calca's $9.99. Shader × Node also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). Calca's advantage is review sentiment (76% vs 33%) and ratings volume (153 vs 3). On rating, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Shader × Node is free to download; Calca costs $9.99 up front. Calca sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Shader × Node asks for nothing beyond the download.

Calca holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Calca has 153 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 76% of Calca's written reviews are positive against 33% of Shader × Node's.

## The numbers

| Metric | Calca | Shader × Node |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.5 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calca/id635757879/reviews)** | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shader-node/id1460562911/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **153** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 33.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | — |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 78 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **11.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Krueger Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/299293363) | [昊天 郑](https://appshunter.io/developer/981803173) |

## What reviewers say

### Calca

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calca/id635757879)

This app is an advanced symbolic calculator and text editor. It solves equations, simplifies expressions, and allows you to explain your work alongside calculations. Calculations update instantly as you type, and all data is stored as plain text for easy sharing and device syncing.

**Highlights:** Symbolic calculation, Equation solving, Expression simplification, Markdown text editor, Real-time updates, Unit and currency conversion, Matrix operations

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 6-Month Optional Patronage | $4.99 | one-time |
| 12-Month Optional Patronage | $7.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Unique blend of text editor and calculator
- 📝 Markdown support for documentation
- 🔄 Dynamic recalculation of all values
- ⚙️ Powerful mathematical and algebraic capabilities
- 📊 Unit conversion and unit-aware calculations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Magic Keyboard input bugs on iPad
- ⚠️ Appears abandoned or poorly maintained
- 🐛 Text selection issues with external keyboards
- 📱 iPad landscape mode problems
- 🐛 Cursor jumping and screen jumping during editing

**Reported bugs**

- Magic Keyboard causes number input to overwrite instead of append
- Text selection before numbers triggers increment/decrement instead of selecting
- Cursor jumps forward and backward with external keyboards
- iPad Pro keyboard truncation in portrait mode
- Arrow key (=>) doesn't work in landscape mode

**Requested features**

- Files app and document browser integration
- Dropbox and Google Drive support
- Date calculation functionality
- Looping and iteration support
- User-defined function storage in separate files


### Shader × Node

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/shader-node/id1460562911)

Create stunning visual effects and shaders without coding using a drag-and-drop node editor. Ideal for those interested in graphics, game development, and visual jockeying.

**Highlights:** Drag-and-drop node editor, Create shaders without coding, Visual scripting system, Music visualization, Graphics and visual effects creation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Calca free?

Calca costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Shader × Node free?

Shader × Node is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Calca or Shader × Node?

Calca is rated higher. Calca averages 4.5 out of 5 from 153 ratings, while Shader × Node averages 4.3 from 3 ratings.

### Do Calca or Shader × Node have ads?

Neither Calca nor Shader × Node shows ads.

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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.*