x vs pocket BASIC
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β with what reviewers say about each.
x
Read full descriptionHide full description
x-Cal is an ergonomic scientific calculator, in both portrait and landscape orientations, using RPN (c) Great for professional and educational use, it allows to quickly develop an understanding of register operations and basic programming Features fixed, scientific or engineer number formats, trigonometric and hyperbolic calculations in radians, degrees or grades, basic statistical computations, linear correlations, combinations, etc. Swipe on the top result display area to view the arithmetic register stack, tap on the top to display other registers such as storage register, statistical registers and program steps Record programs such as a quadratic equation solver, or display graphs to visualize functions y = f(x) At any time look, copy and paste text style computations into e-Mails, notes, etc.
pocket BASIC
Read full descriptionHide full description
Pocket BASIC brings back the simplicity and charm of classic BASIC, reimagined for modern iOS and macOS devices. Write code, perform calculations, and visualize functions instantly β all in one lightweight environment. Why Pocket BASIC? - Instant coding - Write and run BASIC programs in seconds β no compilation, no friction. - Clean and focused interface - Designed for clarity, with an integrated editor, console, and tools. - Perfect for learning and experimenting - Great for understanding programming fundamentals or building small utilities. - Works offline. No internet connection required. Your programs stay on your device. Features - Full BASIC interpreter inspired by classic systems - Built-in editor with immediate execution - Console, calculator, and simple graphics modes - Powerful scientific calculator for quick calculations and everyday use - Function graphing with interactive visualization - Import/export programs easily - QR code support for sharing code - Integration with iOS Shortcuts (run scripts directly) - Lightweight and fast Who is it for? - Beginners learning programming - Developers who love retro computing - Students - Anyone who wants quick, practical scripts on their device A modern take on a classic Pocket BASIC is not just nostalgia β itβs a practical tool for today. From simple calculations to small utilities, itβs like having a tiny programmable assistant in your pocket.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is device support: pocket BASIC at 4 against x's 1. pocket BASIC also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
x ships an update fortnightly, pocket BASIC monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 10, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | x | pocket BASIC |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly β better | Monthly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac β better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.6 β better |
| Further details β not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | FMILLET | Leonardo Del Nonno |
In-app purchases
x
No in-app purchases
pocket BASIC
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is x free?
Is pocket BASIC free?
Do x or pocket BASIC have ads?
Which is updated more often, x or pocket BASIC?
Other comparisons















