Comparison

DB40X vs Math Sphere

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DB40X

A high-precision scientific calculator inspired by the HP48 series, offering arbitrary precision computations, complex numbers, vectors, matrices, and graphing. It supports RPN and algebraic operations, with over 1000 built-in functions and a hyperlinked help system.

Highlights
  • Arbitrary precision computations
  • RPN and algebraic operations
  • Complex numbers, vectors, and matrices
  • Graphing and plotting
  • Engineering units and conversions
  • Hyperlinked help system
Features
Read full description

DB40X is a high-precision scientific calculator compatible with DB48X and 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, DB40X 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. DB40X adds several HP50G capabilities, including a library of equations and constants covering mathematics, physics or chemistry. Using modern technologies, DB40X 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. - 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. DB40X 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. Version 0.7.14 is an early-access release. Please consult https://github.com/c3d/db48x/blob/stable/doc/5-Unimplemented.md for a list of HP48 commands that are not yet implemented. DB40X is part of a family of compatible RPL calculators that include DB48X and DB50X. DB40X lacks the ability to write programs or data to disk, and RPL programs are limited to 40K.

About

Math Sphere

Features
Read full description

Math Sphere is a smart, user-friendly calculator app that handles everything from everyday basic math to the complex functions you need for school or work. Its clean, simple design makes it easy for anyone, from students to adults, to use intuitively and makes even the toughest calculations feel approachable.

Screenshots

DB40X3 screens
Math Sphere3 screens

Verdict

The call

DB40X and Math Sphere are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
DB40X versus Math Sphere: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDB40XMath Sphere
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (7 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews77.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size7 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristophe de Dinechinotsuki hayato

In-app purchases

None

DB40X

No in-app purchases

None

Math Sphere

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DB40X free?
DB40X is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Math Sphere free?
Math Sphere is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DB40X or Math Sphere have ads?
Neither DB40X nor Math Sphere shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DB40X or Math Sphere?
DB40X ships an update every 3 weeks, and Math Sphere every 3 weeks. Most recently, DB40X was updated on November 4, 2026 and Math Sphere on October 30, 2026.

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