# Basic Calculator vs Solves

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Basic Calculator at none against Solves's 6. Basic Calculator also leads on ratings volume (1.9K vs 381). Solves's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 69%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Solves sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Basic Calculator asks for nothing beyond the download.

Solves holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.9K and 381 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Basic Calculator's written reviews are positive against 91% of Solves's.

Basic Calculator ships an update every 3 months, Solves every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on September 28, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Basic Calculator | Solves |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-calculator/id790580942/reviews) | **[4.9 (381 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solves-calculator-for-all/id1394359548/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **1.9K** | 381 |
| Positive reviews | 69.2% of reviews | **90.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 27 MB | 82 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | 15 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SuperDG Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/635709768) | [Oleg Barinov](https://appshunter.io/developer/1394359547) |

## What reviewers say

### Basic Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-calculator/id790580942)

A straightforward calculator app designed for everyday use. It offers a clean interface with essential functions, displaying current calculations and providing a history of your operations. Ideal for users who prefer simplicity over advanced features.

**Highlights:** Basic calculation system, Intuitive design, View present modifications, Calculation history, Universal app support

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Efficient calculator
- 💡 Useful history feature
- 🔒 No data collection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Ads interfering with usage
- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔍 Limited functionality

**Reported bugs**

- Percentage key not working on iPad
- Calculation history not updating correctly

**Requested features**

- Support for fractions and advanced calculations
- Ability to correct mistakes without restarting
- Customization options like themes and fonts


### Solves

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solves-calculator-for-all/id1394359548)

A powerful and versatile calculator for all your Apple devices. Edit complex expressions, sync history across devices, and enjoy a clean, ad-free experience. Unlock advanced features like unit conversion and fraction support with an optional upgrade.

**Highlights:** Edit expressions without limitations, Instant results, Sync calculation history across devices, Unit conversion (currencies, physical units), Fraction support, Customizable themes

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip Option #1 | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tip Option #2 | $1.99 | one-time |
| Tip Option #3 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Tip Option #4 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Solves+ | $9.99 | one-time |
| Tip Option #5 | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent calculator app
- 🚀 Smooth and responsive
- 🔒 No ads or data collection
- 💡 Useful features like history, comments, and unit conversions
- 👍 Clean and intuitive design

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or bugs after updates
- 🐛 Issues with certain mathematical operations
- 🐛 Family sharing not working properly
- 🐛 Lag or performance issues on some devices
- 💡 Desire for more advanced features like fractions, base conversions

**Reported bugs**

- Crashes when pressing certain buttons
- Issues with parsing complex expressions
- Incorrect results for some calculations
- Problems with history clearing or syncing

**Requested features**

- Add support for fractions and mixed numbers
- Implement a widget for quick access
- Allow resizing the app window on Mac
- Provide more customization options
- Add support for Apple Watch


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Basic Calculator free?

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

### Is Solves free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Basic Calculator or Solves?

Solves is rated higher. Basic Calculator averages 4.6 out of 5 from 1.9K ratings, while Solves averages 4.9 from 381 ratings.

### Do Basic Calculator or Solves have ads?

Neither Basic Calculator nor Solves shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Basic Calculator or Solves?

Basic Calculator ships an update every 3 months, and Solves every 3 weeks. Most recently, Basic Calculator was updated on September 28, 2026 and Solves on September 28, 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.*