# iCalc vs Math Notes

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iCalc at 74% against Math Notes's 0%. iCalc also leads on rating (4.4 vs 3.5) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. iCalc sells 13 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Math Notes sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

iCalc holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iCalc has 354 ratings behind it against 20, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of iCalc's written reviews are positive against 0% of Math Notes's.

iCalc ships an update weekly, Math Notes every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iCalc | Math Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.4 (354 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icalc-photo-math-calculator/id6448191549/reviews)** | [3.5 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-notes-solver-and-editor/id6474252913/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **354** | 20 |
| Positive reviews | **73.9% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Size | 56 MB | 300 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jake Elrod](https://appshunter.io/developer/365336355) | [Kairoos Solutions SL](https://appshunter.io/developer/978066434) |

## What reviewers say

### iCalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icalc-photo-math-calculator/id6448191549)

Solve math problems by scanning them and receive step-by-step explanations. Access an AI assistant for detailed answers on math, science, and more. Supports a wide range of math subjects and offers various calculator tools.

**Highlights:** Scan math problems, Step-by-step solutions, AI math and science assistant, Advanced calculators, Unit and currency conversion, Word problem solver

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (13)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Plus | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Plus | $2.99 | per month |
| Premium | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Plus | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium | $9.99 | per month |
| Premium | $19.99 | per month |
| Premium | $39.99 | per year |
| Premium | $59.99 | per year |
| 10 Math Bot Questions | $0.99 | one-time |
| Plus | $9.99 | one-time |
| Plus | $19.99 | one-time |
| Premium | $99.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient calculations
- 💡 Helpful for math homework

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤑 Paywalled features
- 🤥 Misleading free lifetime offer
- 🐛 Crashes and bugs
- 📵 Entire app is behind a paywall

**Reported bugs**

- Upgrade to premium message blocks the calculator
- Sudden app crashes on launch

**Requested features**

- Free trial period
- Reduced premium upgrade price for existing users
- Voluntary data collection settings


### Math Notes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/math-notes-solver-and-editor/id6474252913)

This app offers a specialized keyboard and editor for creating and managing mathematical expressions. It supports LaTeX, real-time rendering, and various export formats, making it ideal for students and professionals alike.

**Highlights:** Innovative Math Keyboard, Multiple Math Symbols, Real-Time Rendering, LaTeX Support, Save and Share, Export Options (PDF, LaTeX, HTML, etc.), PDF Reader and Editor

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

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Math Notes Full Unlock with AI | $3.99 | per month |
| Math Editor Full Upgrade | $3.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iCalc free?

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

### Is Math Notes free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iCalc or Math Notes?

iCalc is rated higher. iCalc averages 4.4 out of 5 from 354 ratings, while Math Notes averages 3.5 from 20 ratings.

### Do iCalc or Math Notes have ads?

Neither iCalc nor Math Notes shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iCalc or Math Notes?

iCalc ships an update weekly, and Math Notes every 10 days. Most recently, iCalc was updated on September 20, 2026 and Math Notes on September 8, 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.*