DB48X vs Printa
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
DB48X
This advanced scientific calculator offers arbitrary precision computations, RPN and algebraic operations, and extensive graphing capabilities. It supports complex numbers, matrices, symbolic calculations, and over 1000 built-in functions, inspired by the HP48 series.
- Arbitrary precision computations
- RPN and algebraic operations
- Complex numbers, vectors, and matrices
- Symbolic computations and numerical solving
- Graphing and plotting
- Engineering units and currency conversion
- Built-in hyperlinked help system
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DB48X is a new high-precision scientific calculator inspired by the legendary HP48 series from Hewlett-Packard. It is not an emulator, but a redesign from scratch, which is faster, and delivers never seen before capabilities like computations in arbitrary precision. Like the original HP48, DB48X supports an unlimited stack, RPN and algebraic operations, complex numbers, based numbers, vectors, matrices, text, symbolic computations, numerical solving and integration, graphing and plotting, statistics, engineering units, and well over 1000 built-in functions. DB48X adds several HP50G capabilities, including a library of equations and constants covering mathematics, physics or chemistry. Using modern technologies, DB48X goes well beyond the original HP48 in many ways: - It is significantly faster, uses less memory, and features a higher-resolution 240x400 pixels graphical display. - Integer and decimal values can have an arbitrarily large number of digits, so you can compute log(pi) with 200 digits in a few keystrokes. - The six function keys feature up to three function per key, giving quick access to up to 18 related functions at a time. - Complex numbers can mix and match polar and rectangular form. - Symbolic operations extend to complex numbers, vectors and matrices. - Based numbers can be in any base from 2 to 36, and support any number of bits, making it easy to emulate a 23-bit or 512-bit processor. - Text is represented using Unicode instead of the proprietary HP encoding, facilitating data exchange with the rest of the world. - Multiple graphs can be distinguished using bitmap patterns (DB50X adds the ability to use colors) - Engineering units include all the modern evolutions of the SI system, and can be configured by the user, e.g. to integrate currency units with the exchange rate du jour. Converting between USD/hour and EUR/day has never been so easy! - A built-in hyperlinked help system documents functions simply by holding the corresponding key, and combine a quick start guide, a user manual and a reference manual. DB48X will run many user RPL programs as is. However, since it is not an emulator, it will not run any HP binary object, and notably will not run HP48 games or anything involving system RPL. DB48X is part of a family of compatible RPL calculators that include the free DB40X and the color DB50X.
Printa
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Printa is a nifty iOS app for printing photos and PDF files with compact Bluetooth thermal printers, including many mini thermal printers, cat printers, and affordable portable models. Import a photo or PDF, adjust the print options, and print directly from the app. You can also print from other apps using the iOS share menu, thanks to Printa’s integrated share extension. Printa is made for straightforward printing with practical controls. The app can automatically reconnect to your printer and includes useful options to tune the final result before printing. Features: • Print photos and PDF files • Import files directly into the app • Print from other apps using the share extension • Auto reconnect to previously used printers • Support for compact bluetooth thermal printers • Support for cat-style thermal printers • Multiple dithering styles • Adjustable threshold • Brightness and contrast controls • Scaling options • Additional print settings for better output • Simple interface focused on direct printing Supported printer families include: • M series: M01, M08F, M832, M836 • P series: P1, P2, P3, P3S, P4, P5, P6, P7, P7H, P10, P100, P100S • MP series: MP100/100S, MP200/200S, MP220/220S, MP300/300S • LP series: LP100, LP100S, LP220, LP220S • X series: X1, X2, X2H, X5, X6, X7, X8, X9, X16, X100, X101H, X102, X103H • D series: D1, D100, D2 • T series: T02, T02E • Q series: Q302, Q580 • K06 family • V5X family • Cat printers Printa gives you a direct way to print from your iPhone to small thermal printers, with the options needed to make photos, documents, and quick prints look better on black-and-white thermal paper.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: DB48X at every 3 weeks against Printa's every 3 months. DB48X also leads on chart position (#194 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). Printa's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $4.99). On ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
DB48X costs $4.99 and Printa $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
DB48X ships an update every 3 weeks, Printa every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 8, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DB48X | Printa |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.2 (6 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #194 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 7 MB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Christophe de Dinechin | Marco Petrucci |
In-app purchases
DB48X
No in-app purchases
Printa
No in-app purchases









