# Basic Calculator vs Poolside Control

The clearest difference is update cadence: Poolside Control at every 2 weeks against Basic Calculator's every 3 months. Basic Calculator's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Basic Calculator ships an update every 3 months, Poolside Control every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Basic Calculator | Poolside Control |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (1.9K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/basic-calculator/id790580942/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1.9K** | — |
| Positive reviews | 69.1% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 27 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [SuperDG Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/635709768) | [David Jones](https://appshunter.io/developer/6808813668) |

## 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


### Poolside Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/poolside-control/id6812817030)

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Basic Calculator free?

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

### Is Poolside Control free?

Poolside Control is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Basic Calculator or Poolside Control have ads?

Neither Basic Calculator nor Poolside Control shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Basic Calculator or Poolside Control?

Basic Calculator ships an update every 3 months, and Poolside Control every 2 weeks. Most recently, Basic Calculator was updated on November 11, 2026 and Poolside Control on October 31, 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.*