# Calca vs Ersa TRACE

The clearest difference is price: Ersa TRACE at Free against Calca's $9.99. Ersa TRACE also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Calca | Ersa TRACE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $9.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.5 (153 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calca/id635757879/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **153** | — |
| Positive reviews | **76.5% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 78 MB | 38 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Krueger Systems, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/299293363) | [Ersa GmbH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1484598243) |

## 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


### Ersa TRACE

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ersa-trace/id1552856743)

This app enables smart operation of an IoT soldering station via smartphone or web application. It provides real-time temperature display, parameter control for single or multiple stations, and extensive traceability functions.

**Highlights:** Real-time temperature display, Target temperature setting, Soldering parameter control, Multi-station management, Web application integration, Traceability functions

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Calca free?

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

### Is Ersa TRACE free?

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

### Do Calca or Ersa TRACE have ads?

Neither Calca nor Ersa TRACE shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Calca or Ersa TRACE?

Calca ships an update every 5 months, and Ersa TRACE every 5 months. Most recently, Calca was updated on October 8, 2026 and Ersa TRACE on October 2, 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.*