# MaxiCalc Free vs Calculator ⁺⁻

The clearest difference is ads: MaxiCalc Free at none against Calculator ⁺⁻'s shown. MaxiCalc Free also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 50%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 15 months). Calculator ⁺⁻'s advantage is device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating 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.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for MaxiCalc Free against 4.7 for Calculator ⁺⁻. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 165 and 42 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of MaxiCalc Free's written reviews are positive against 50% of Calculator ⁺⁻'s.

MaxiCalc Free ships an update every 3 months, Calculator ⁺⁻ every 15 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | MaxiCalc Free | Calculator ⁺⁻ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (165 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maxicalc-free-big-retro-lcd-basic-desk-calculator/id657247248/reviews) | **[4.7 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calculator/id6443813573/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **165** | 42 |
| Positive reviews | **83.0% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 15 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 36 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fernando Sciessere](https://appshunter.io/developer/366268787) | [Matrix Software Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1457004046) |

## What reviewers say

### MaxiCalc Free

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/maxicalc-free-big-retro-lcd-basic-desk-calculator/id657247248)

This app offers a realistic calculator experience with a retro LCD design and unique sounds. It provides both basic and scientific functions, with features like multi-memory, paper tape history, and AirPrint compatibility for easy sharing and printing of calculations.

**Highlights:** Realistic retro LCD interface and sounds, Portrait mode for basic calculations, Landscape mode for scientific functions, Multi-memory slots, Multiple paper tapes for history, AirPrint and email calculation sharing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎨 Retro/vintage aesthetic design
- 📋 Paper tape feature for tracking calculations
- 🔊 Realistic calculator sound effects
- 👍 User-friendly interface and easy to use
- 📧 Ability to email/print tape records

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📢 Excessive pop-up advertisements
- 🔊 Intrusive ad sounds during calculations
- ❌ Full-screen ads interrupt workflow
- 💸 Ads force users to consider paid upgrade
- 🚫 Paid version still shows ads (reported by some users)

**Reported bugs**

- App freezes for first 5 seconds on launch
- Landscape mode buttons unresponsive
- Landscape mode hides paper tape image
- Incorrect totals on iPad 3
- No clear function on iPad 3

**Requested features**

- iPhone version of the app
- Ability to add text comments on tape
- Subtle click sounds instead of full adding machine sounds
- Business/accounting functions
- Better landscape mode support


### Calculator ⁺⁻

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/calculator/id6443813573)

This app offers both basic and scientific calculation functions for iPhone and iPad. Users can customize its appearance, view calculation history, and perform complex equations with high accuracy. It also provides real-time calculation display and adjustable touch feedback.

**Highlights:** Basic and scientific calculator modes, Over 30 scientific operations, Calculation history view, Real-time calculation display, Customizable color themes, Adjustable button touch sound/vibration, High accuracy calculations (75+ significant digits)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is MaxiCalc Free free?

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

### Is Calculator ⁺⁻ free?

Calculator ⁺⁻ is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, MaxiCalc Free or Calculator ⁺⁻?

Calculator ⁺⁻ is rated higher. MaxiCalc Free averages 4.6 out of 5 from 165 ratings, while Calculator ⁺⁻ averages 4.7 from 42 ratings.

### Do MaxiCalc Free or Calculator ⁺⁻ have ads?

Calculator ⁺⁻ shows ads; MaxiCalc Free does not.

### Which is updated more often, MaxiCalc Free or Calculator ⁺⁻?

MaxiCalc Free ships an update every 3 months, and Calculator ⁺⁻ every 15 months. Most recently, MaxiCalc Free was updated on October 21, 2026 and Calculator ⁺⁻ on October 24, 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.*