PCalc App Reviews

I know, it’s a calculator. Hardly glamourous. And yet, one of my favourite Mac (and iOS) apps for years now. It does everything you’d expect, and lots of stuff you wouldn’t. And it does it all in a very attractively-designed interface that can be customized to match your preferences. There are so many little details, from the Douglas Adams references to the Braun-styled PCalc logo on that interface theme, that give it tons of charm and personality. I can’t recommend PCalc enough.

This has been my favorite calculator app on iOS for some time, and it’s just as amazing on OS X. If you’re a programmar or engineer, this is the calculator app you want. No frilly graphs, no silly hand-writing recognition nonsense, this is a calculator for geeks, made by geeks, that’ll do what cool people want to do! Whether it’s awesome RPN, groovy themes, customization that will blow your mind, a multitude of base systems supported, or whatever, it does it and it does it well. No, I don’t work for these guys, but I do love their calculators so much, and this version is no exception.

I have depended on PCalc as my primary calculator for OS X and IOS. With this being the first paid update that I recall seeing, I checked and see that I had originally purchased PCalc in 2006. Hard to believe that I have used it with no issues or even second thoughts for 8 years now. Now hesitation to pay for the new version after all this use. I have never once been tempted to even look at another calculator.

If you use a calculator with any regularity, then you want PCalc. It’s filled with useful calculation features (modes, functions, conversions, constants, etc, etc) and also has all sorts of convenience features that make it fit in with your day-to-day work. Also has a terrific UI with tons of customizations for size, layout and appearance so you can really make this “your own”...

PCalc has been a great software for many many years but I love this version in particular partly because it supports continuity in Yosemite with the iOS version in addition to the new Today view widget. Very powerful and customizable. If you need a calculator, that’s the one to get.

PCalc is awesome. The developer really cares about the design, feel and utility of the app. Between the Mac and iOS versions, this advanced calculator is the number cruncher’s tool of choice.

Love the new icon! It’s instantly recognizeable. PCalc is a staple for every Mac or iOS device. It’s paid for itself several times over and proven time and time again to be useful. Don’t waste your time looking at other calculator apps. This is the one to get!

This is, simply put, The Calculator. I’ve been using this since… no idea. I had a PowerBook 170, so it’s more than 20 years. It didnt’t change much on the outside, and it does its job like a charm.

I am using PCalc from its earlier version, that I chose initially mostly because of the support for RPN. Through all the releases I can see the continuous improvement of the application and great care from the developer to stay on top of iOS releases and improve the application for a scientist or engineer like myself. Also, I personally e-mailed one of my concerns to the developer and obtained immediate support.

Superb for: - base conversions ⭐️ and all manner of numeric - copy/paste results to other apps - tape of calculation thread - keyboard themes and editing - programmers or scientists calculator - stability and speed - wide range of built-in constants and functions If I could have only one extra app beyond what comes installed on OSX or iOS, this would be it. No kidding. This is the first basic thing I sought when I installed these systems many years ago. James Thomson at TLA does a great job. Scrupulously up to date, with frequent new feature surprises. Great imagination. (Other calculator apps? Pthpthpthpthpth...

The new widget in my Notifications sidebar looks mega-boss. So clean and light. So blue and white. I love it. From adding and subtracting, to multiplying and dividing, this calculator for OSX does it all. Square roots are no problem, heck, even nth roots are no problem for this handy utility. I am especially fond of the display that makes numbers, variables, functions, and operators all visible and easy to locate to use in even the most arduous calculations. Never again will I have to count on my fingers to do the painful computations of everyday life.

The stock Mac OS calculator isn’t bad, but it also isn’t made by someone who endlessly sweats the details. This is, and it’s worth much more than the purchase price. It’s a joy to use.

The more I use P Calc the more I appreciate it. I love all the hidden levels of detail - like complete customization. The ability to load current currency rates for calculating exchanges. The ability to turn on ticker tape, or to bold the results. My goodness they’ve really thought of it all! Love that you can start a calculation in the widget and switch out to the app and finish it (or set the preferences to treat the two as separate apps). You can start on your iWatch and finish on your phone or Mac. I wanted to make 3 feature requests: 1 - Make a Menu Bar Option so folks can easily launch PCalc App from the menu bar as well as access some cool default calculator layout presets (like a kid’s calc, currency calc, accounting, scientific, etc). 2 - Look at Cheater Pants Calculator on the iOS and see if you can do the step by step calculations in an elementary kids version. It is great for letting kids learn step by step and for parents who have to check homework. If you get kids hooked on a free step by step calculator and then upgrade into more advanced calculators as they progress through school you’ll have customers for life! 3 - Please add some info on how users can set a Finder level keyboard short cut to launch PCalc. Currently I use Command+Space Bar and type PCalc and find it faster than going thru notifications and finding the widget, but I’d love a keyboard shortcut to just launch the app (Command+PLUS key would be cool). thanks for a great App and keep innovating!

I used to carry around my trusty HP 11C (which I still have and use) but PCalc has let me leave the hardware in the drawer. And it adds an extensive conversion library at the same time. RPN rulez!

This is the best calculator application I could ask for. It is functional and has a very pleasing GUI. Makes having to use other calculator applications on Windows unpleasant!

I was disappointed to see that I had to pay to go from version 3.9 to 4.0, but I didn’t hesitate to do it. This is one of the best apps in existence, and indispensable for anyone on a Mac who uses a calculator, especially for scientific work. I have a legendary HP 15C but haven’t touched it in years, because I don’t have to take my fingers off the keyoard to use PCalc. Every button has a keyboard equivalent. I work as a physicist and PCalc is full of built-in physical conversions including one, if I remember right, that was added after I requested it from the developer. The appearance is completely customizable so you can turn it into whatever you want. I can’t imagine using a computer without PCalc.

Awesome update. The new look is fantastic. Simple and clean.

Great to see this old standard continue to evolve.

While I don’t have need for the more advanced functions of a calculator, rarely a day goes by that I don’t need a basic calculator. While OS X does include a simple calculator, it’s very small and difficult to see. With PCalc, I can change the size of the calculator, hide the scientific and advanced features that I don’t need, and choose a theme with colors that make it even easier to see. I also am impressed with the assortment of available conversions. Up until now, I have had to have various conversion websites bookmarked and have often forgotten which site does which types of conversions. Now I have all that available right on my desktop. Even if your calculator needs are minimal, PCalc is definitely worth the $9.99 cost.

I use PCacl on my iPhone and my MacBook Air. It is like having my trusty HP-12C or HP-41CV (which have been in in use since the 80’s), just a little more convenient since those calculators are kept on my desk and don’t travel with me. I have been using PCalc for a couple of years now, and it just keeps getting better. I recommend it for those of you who think in RPN. I’ve thought in RPN since the late 70’s and just can’t use a regular calculator (physical or on the computer). Get it now!