# jCalc vs Photo Math Calculator

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: jCalc at none against Photo Math Calculator's 2. jCalc also leads on ads (none vs shown). Photo Math Calculator's advantage is review sentiment (100% vs 85%). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Photo Math Calculator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. jCalc asks for nothing beyond the download.

jCalc ships an update every 7 months, Photo Math Calculator every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 13, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | jCalc | Photo Math Calculator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.6 (259 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jcalc-scientific-calculator/id885770968/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **259** | — |
| Positive reviews | 85.2% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 7 months** | Every 13 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 2 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | **14.1** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jon Ericksen](https://appshunter.io/developer/706765908) | [Maria Raca](https://appshunter.io/developer/1456222159) |

## What reviewers say

### jCalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jcalc-scientific-calculator/id885770968)

This app is a powerful yet easy-to-use scientific calculator designed for students, teachers, and professionals. It simplifies complex calculations involving fractions, decimals, and advanced equations with flexible answer formats and smart conversions.

**Highlights:** Fractions and decimals calculations, Flexible answer formats, Smart conversions, Advanced math functions, Memory recall, Auto parentheses

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Free and ad-free calculator app
- 🎨 Multiple customizable themes and color schemes
- 📜 Running tape/history feature to review calculations
- 🔢 Fraction, decimal, and mixed number support
- ⚡ Fast and efficient performance

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Display rendering issues with character visibility
- 🐛 App freezing and crashing problems
- 📱 Landscape mode not working on iPhone
- 🔌 Limited button size for users with larger fingers
- 📢 Intrusive ad banner at top of screen

**Reported bugs**

- Display characters not rendering correctly (about 1/4 of characters missing)
- Fraction buttons not working as intended
- iPhone landscape mode does not rotate or display split view
- App freezes during use
- Character display issues with numbers 0-9 appearing incomplete

**Requested features**

- Widget support for home screen
- Scientific calculator functions (sin, cos, tan, square root, squaring)
- Original version 1.0 color scheme option
- Running tape format in newer versions
- Screen rotation lock for landscape mode


### Photo Math Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/photo-math-calculator/id1663143496)

Instantly solve math problems by taking a photo or typing them in. Get step-by-step solutions and explanations for a wide range of math topics, from basic algebra to calculus. Includes graphing and an advanced calculator.

**Highlights:** Solve math problems with camera, Step-by-step solutions, Handwritten problem solving, Graph equations, Advanced scientific calculator, Covers algebra, calculus, geometry, and more

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Photo Calculator Pro Weekly | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Photo Calculator Pro Yearly | $14.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is jCalc free?

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

### Is Photo Math Calculator free?

Photo Math Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do jCalc or Photo Math Calculator have ads?

Photo Math Calculator shows ads; jCalc does not.

### Which is updated more often, jCalc or Photo Math Calculator?

jCalc ships an update every 7 months, and Photo Math Calculator every 13 months. Most recently, jCalc was updated on October 21, 2026 and Photo Math Calculator on October 13, 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.*