The PCalc Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about PCalc in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
PCalc
The Insider’s Guide
Scientific calculator for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among desktop utilities, read from PCalc’s own pages.
Made by TLA Systems Ltd. · checked Nov 13, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from PCalc’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on PCalc’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Nov 13, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
3.0
GPA, above 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade
PCalc is a scientific calculator with hexadecimal, octal and binary modes, an RPN mode, programmable functions and a large set of unit conversions. The Mac and iPhone/iPad/Watch versions are separate purchases, and a free PCalc Lite app offers a smaller version with in-app purchases for the extra features.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about PCalc, taken from its own pages and our grades.
No store rating is on record, but you open it and press keys with nothing to set up.
- 1
Best for a scientific and programmer calculator on Apple devices
PCalc is a scientific calculator with hex, octal, binary and RPN modes, plus unit conversions, and it runs on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watch.
- 2
What it costs
Paid plans start at $9.99 one-time.
- 3
There is a free plan
PCalc Lite: a free version for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch; the extra features of the full app can be bought inside it, individually or all at once.
- 4
It runs on 2 platforms
macOS and iOS.
- 5
Programmer modes
Hexadecimal, octal and binary modes with bitwise operators.
- 6
RPN mode
Optional reverse Polish notation with one-button access to the stack.
- 7
Conversions and functions
A large set of unit conversions, plus editable user conversions, functions and constants that sync across devices.
- 8
A 3.0 GPA, above 154 of 186
That is against the other desktop utilities we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
The plain part of PCalc you could make: calculator. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
PCalc at a glance
- Pricing
- Free plan, from $9.99 one-time
- Free plan
- Yes
- Free trial
- None stated
- Runs on
- macOS, iOS
- Made by
- TLA Systems Ltd.
- Category
- Desktop Utilities
- Our grade
- 3.0 GPA, very good
- Store rating
- 4.7 on the App Store, 779 ratings
The report card
Best for a scientific and programmer calculator on Apple devices
PCalc is a scientific calculator with hex, octal, binary and RPN modes, plus unit conversions, and it runs on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Watch. The Mac and iOS versions are separate $9.99 purchases, and there is no Windows or Android version.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | A | $9.99 once for Mac and $9.99 once for iPhone, iPad and Watch, each under a year of this category's middle subscription. Prices vary by country. |
| Free plan and trial | C | PCalc Lite is free on iPhone, iPad and Watch with in-app purchases, but the Mac app has no free version. |
| Features | B | Programmer modes, RPN, conversions, a button layout editor, a menu bar widget, Handoff and scripting. The listing names no gap in the core job. |
| Ease of use | B | No store rating is on record, but you open it and press keys with nothing to set up. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Watch and Vision Pro, with Shortcuts and AppleScript. No Windows, Android or web. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who PCalc is for
- Fits if you want an RPN or programmer calculator on your Apple devices
- Works for people who convert units or switch number bases often
Who it is not for
- Not for you if you use Windows or Android, as there is no version for either
- Pricey if you want both: Mac and iOS are separate $9.99 purchases
- Tight if you want a free Mac version, since only Lite exists, on iPhone, iPad and Watch
- Watch out: the vendor's pages give different minimum macOS versions, so check the App Store listing
Good to know
Good for
- Students, engineers and programmers who want a scientific or RPN calculator
- Apple users who want one calculator on every device
- People who prefer a one-time price to a subscription
Worth knowing
- Apple platforms only; there is no Windows, Android or web version.
- The Mac and iPhone/iPad purchases are separate.
- The vendor's pages give different minimum macOS versions (macOS 12 on one page, OS X 10.13 on another), so check the App Store listing.
- The developer notes the App Store has no demos, which is why the Lite version exists.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$9.99 one-time
To start. There is a free plan too
PCalc has a free plan. Paid plans start at $9.99 one-time.
PCalc Lite is free on iPhone, iPad and Watch with in-app purchases, but the Mac app has no free version.
PCalc Lite
$0
Free app for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch with in-app purchases for the full app's features.
PCalc for iPhone, iPad and Watch
$9.99
one-time, US price; covers iPad, iPhone, Vision Pro and Watch
Full app sold through the App Store; prices vary by country.
PCalc for Mac
$9.99
one-time, US price; separate from the iOS purchase
Mac App Store purchase with a menu bar widget, multiple calculators and a button layout editor.
The free plan
PCalc Lite: a free version for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch; the extra features of the full app can be bought inside it, individually or all at once.
Read from pcalc.com on Nov 13, 2026.
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
2
Places it runs: macOS and iOS
Scientific calculator for Mac, iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: one-time purchase, menu bar app, calculator.
Programmer modes, RPN, conversions, a button layout editor, a menu bar widget, Handoff and scripting.
- Programmer modes
- Hexadecimal, octal and binary modes with bitwise operators.
- RPN mode
- Optional reverse Polish notation with one-button access to the stack.
- Conversions and functions
- A large set of unit conversions, plus editable user conversions, functions and constants that sync across devices.
- Button layout editor
- On the Mac, build your own calculator layout and sync it with iPhone and iPad.
- Menu bar widget
- The Mac version has a menu bar widget for quick calculations.
- Handoff and scripting
- Hands off in-progress calculations between Mac, iOS, visionOS and watchOS; the Mac app supports AppleScript and Shortcuts.
Where it runs
- macOS
- iOS
What it works with
- Shortcuts
- AppleScript
PCalc is made by TLA Systems Ltd.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
154/186
Other desktop utilities it is graded above
PCalc's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
It stands best on value for money (A, above 55 of 186) and worst on free plan and trial (C, above 8).
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 187 desktop utilities we grade, cut by the letter each got. PCalc’s own letter is outlined.
- AValue for moneyAbove 55 of 186
- CFree plan and trialAbove 8 of 186
- BFeaturesAbove 113 of 186
- BEase of useAbove 78 of 186
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 172 of 186
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
The plain part of PCalc you could make: calculator. What surrounds it you could not. The 4 things listed below take a company, not a weekend.
It is one of the better ones too: its GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade. It costs $9.99, paid once.
What you could make
- Calculator: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- A native app living in the menu bar.
- Apps for macOS and iOS that stay in step with each other.
- Hooks into the device itself: an Apple Watch app and widgets.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. PCalc’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Numi, Soulver, Raycast and Alfred
The 4 tools PCalc is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.6GPA
Numi
Free plan · from $29.99 one-time
Text-based calculator for Mac with unit and currency conversion.
- Only PCalc lists an iOS app.
- Only Numi lists Windows and Linux apps.
- PCalc also covers menu bar app.
- 2.4GPA
Soulver
Free trial · from $15 one-time
Notepad calculator for Mac, iPad and iPhone with an answer column.
- PCalc has a free plan. Soulver does not, though it has a free trial.
- PCalc also covers menu bar app.
- Soulver also covers natural-language input.
- 2.8GPA
Raycast
Free plan · from $96/yr
Keyboard launcher with extensions, clipboard history and AI.
- Only Raycast lists a Windows app.
- Only Raycast lists a browser extension.
- PCalc can be bought with a one-time purchase.
- 2.4GPA
Alfred
Free plan · from £34 one-time
Mac launcher with hotkeys, snippets and custom workflows.
- Only PCalc lists an iOS app.
- PCalc also covers menu bar app and calculator.
- Alfred also covers workflow automation, launcher, clipboard manager and text expansion.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
12
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is PCalc free?
PCalc has a free plan. PCalc Lite: a free version for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch; the extra features of the full app can be bought inside it, individually or all at once.
How much does PCalc cost?
PCalc lists 3 plans. PCalc Lite: $0.
What platforms does PCalc work on?
PCalc is available on macOS and iOS.
How is PCalc rated?
PCalc's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.7 out of 5 from 779 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
Does PCalc have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. PCalc is listed for macOS and iOS.
Does PCalc have a Windows app?
No Windows app was listed when its pages were read on Nov 13, 2026. PCalc is listed for macOS and iOS.
Is PCalc open source?
PCalc is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Nov 13, 2026.
What does PCalc integrate with?
PCalc's listing names Shortcuts and AppleScript. A listing names up to eight integrations, so it may connect to more.
Who makes PCalc?
PCalc is made by TLA Systems Ltd.
What are the alternatives to PCalc?
The closest alternatives to PCalc in our directory are Numi, Soulver, Raycast and Alfred.
How does PCalc compare with other desktop utilities?
PCalc's GPA of 3.0 is higher than 154 of the 186 other desktop utilities we grade, and level with 27.
Could I make my own version of PCalc?
The plain part of PCalc you could make: calculator. What surrounds it you could not.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from PCalc’s own pages on Nov 13, 2026, and the grades were given on Nov 13, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from TLA Systems Ltd.'s own pages on 13 November 2026. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by TLA Systems Ltd. Prices change, so check pcalc.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
7,721
Tools graded, in 95 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
7,721
tools graded
95
categories
739
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- PCalc, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/pcalc
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "PCalc: The Insider's Guide", checked Nov 13, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/pcalc
Know someone choosing between desktop utilities?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/pcalc/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
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Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what PCalc’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. Every grade, review and ranking on ToolGPA is our own judgement. No company can pay for a grade or change one. PCalc is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by TLA Systems Ltd. Prices and plans change: check pcalc.com before you buy.