Calculator alternatives
Users often seek alternatives to the Calculator app due to an overwhelming number of intrusive ads that disrupt calculations and make the app unusable. Many alternatives offer a more basic, ad-free experience or provide advanced features without constant interruptions.
Why users look for alternatives to Calculator
- The Calculator app is plagued by an excessive number of intrusive ads that pop up frequently, often interrupting calculations or appearing every time a function like 'C' or 'total' is pressed.R3R4R6R10
- Some users find the ads difficult or impossible to exit, making the app unusable.R19R28R32R44
- The app is described as confusing or not intuitive by some users.R5R8
- Specific missing features like percentage calculation or memory functions are noted by some users.R50
- Some users find the buttons are not large enough.R18
The alternatives
Calculator₊ offers a calculator with large fonts, which some users find very helpful R52. It also includes features like uploading math problems via photo, though this comes at a price . The app has been used by some for many years and is considered easy to use .
Better for: This app is better for users who appreciate large fonts for readability R52 and those who might be interested in advanced features like solving problems via photo upload, provided they are willing to pay for it . It suits long-term users who value ease of use .
Head-to-head: Calculator vs Calculator₊Calculator‰ is praised for being a simple, basic, and easy-to-use calculator . It works well for straightforward calculations . However, recent updates have introduced frequent and long ads, often appearing every time a total is hit, making it unusable for some R65R67R68R70.
Better for: This app was previously suitable for users seeking an inexpensive, basic calculator without many choices . However, due to recent ad interruptions, it is no longer recommended for users who want an ad-free experience R65R67R68R70.
Head-to-head: Calculator vs Calculator‰Basic Calculator+ delivers on its name by providing basic calculations and is easy to use for everyday tasks R80. It is considered a great app by some . However, like other calculators, it has been criticized for frequent ad pop-ups that interrupt use and can even block the calculator entirely R79R81R82.
Better for: This app is best for users who need a straightforward, basic calculator for simple calculations . However, users should be aware that ads can be a significant issue, potentially making the app unusable R79R81R82.
Head-to-head: Calculator vs Basic Calculator+Calculator for iPad! offers both basic and scientific calculator modes R94. Users appreciate its simplicity and ease of use . It also includes memory functions R97 and a calculation history . However, it is heavily criticized for intrusive ad bars that cover keys and pop-up ads that disrupt use R93R96. Some features like notes and custom backgrounds are locked behind a paywall .
Better for: This app is suitable for iPad users who need both basic and scientific calculator functions R94 and value features like memory R97 and calculation history . However, it is not recommended for users who want an ad-free experience or access to customization without paying R93R96.
Head-to-head: Calculator vs Calculator for iPad!Calculator HD Pro Lite is a free calculator app that keeps calculation history, which users find very helpful . It offers a good layout and configurability, allowing users to select key colors and notation formats R108. It is considered effective and one user called it their favorite for many years R108. However, it suffers from full-screen ads that interrupt calculations and can be difficult to dismiss R109R110. Some ads are inappropriate .
Better for: This app is best for users who value a free calculator with history tracking and customization options for the interface R108. It is not suitable for users who cannot tolerate frequent and potentially inappropriate full-screen ads that disrupt the user experience R109R110.
Head-to-head: Calculator vs Calculator HD Pro LiteUsers should stick with the main Calculator app if they are not bothered by frequent and intrusive ads that interrupt calculations and appreciate features like customizable backgrounds .
Evidence note: No alternative had too few reviews to judge.
Frequently asked
Why do users look for alternatives to the Calculator app?
Does Calculator₊ have a subscription fee?
Are there ad-free calculator alternatives?
What reviewers actually said
Built only from these 120 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.
- [R3] Calculator It was ok ig?: It worked great for everything but a little to much ads.
- [R4] Calculator Too many ads: lol it gives me an ad every time I click the c function. Useless
- [R6] Calculator Too many Ads: Would be great minus the ads
- [R10] Calculator TOO MANY ADS!: Deleting this app. Way too many ads pop up. And they’re deceiving!! Don’t waste your time with this app.
- [R19] Calculator Ads ads and more ads: That’s right. A calculator with ads. Furthermore it is difficult to impossible to exit from them. Simply horrible
- [R28] Calculator Crazy Ads: An ad popped up saying a Trajan virus was on my phone. Terrible to allow scam ads on your app.
- [R32] Calculator Too many ads: Useless app is now ads can’t use calculator functions.
- [R44] Calculator ted’s tips: constant interruptions for games pitches,no way to get rid of them.Makes the site useless.
- [R5] Calculator It was awesome: It was great the only problem is it was really laggy and I couldn’t figure out how to return to start another question but ether then that it was GREAT 😁I would get it
- [R8] Calculator One more thing: It is a little confusing
- [R50] Calculator Terrible Choice: Calculator can't even do percentages also has lots of ads trust me, I do not choose this you will be disappointed and i usually do good reviews this app is trash
- [R18] Calculator Buttons not big enough: The buttons are NOT big enough
- [R52] Calculator₊ Appreciative: Large Fonts Are Very Helpful!
- [R53] Calculator₊ For a Calculator?: Why would I ever pay a reoccurring subscription…even a penny…for a calculator. Get out of here with this $5.99. 🙄
- [R55] Calculator₊ Not Worth Your Time: Shouldn’t have to sift through a million pop ups for a calculator app just to be able to use it. The payment screen for the different memberships also seems intentionally deceiving in my opinion with their “continue for free” button leading you to checkout for their free trial + subscription and the continue without adds option barely visible in the upper corner. Do better. Un
- [R59] Calculator₊ I have a problem: Download and liked it so much paid for it . Got a new phone and I could no longer download and use what I already paid for.
- [R65] Calculator‰ Constant Ad Interruption: I used this app for years but now the interruptions with ads make it unusable. I’ve deleted and moved on. Not worth downloading.
- [R66] Calculator‰ It’s huge!: So far no problems like the other one where there was popups like every second.
- [R67] Calculator‰ Ads: I realize you need to make money, but EVERYTIME I hit total an ad comes up. This used to be my favorite calculator. Time to move on
- [R68] Calculator‰ Long ads: Almost impossible to use. This app has now incorporated long ads which begin shortly after opening. No way to close the ad without seeing it the full way through.
- [R79] Basic Calculator+ Ads: Was trying to use this and ads kept popping up…on a calculator app like rly -.- Deleted it so fast
- [R80] Basic Calculator+ Basic calculator plus: Awesome calculator easy to use
- [R81] Basic Calculator+ Please reduce the ads: The basic calculator works great, but many times now, every time I try to remember a number to put into the calculator I find myself trying to get out of the ads first . These popups have progressively gotten to the frustration point to the user. I do realize that income is necessary and that comes from the ads, but all it does is make me want to not purchase from those comp
- [R82] Basic Calculator+ Blocking calculator: Now it keeps blocking the calculator and keeps an ad up, trying to force me to get an app to scan your phone on an iPad.
- [R93] Calculator for iPad! ADS: STOP ADS
- [R94] Calculator for iPad! Calculator for ipad: Basic & scientific calculator
- [R96] Calculator for iPad! Unusable with ad bar: I have been using this calculator for several years, and it was my favorite. However, recently there has been an ad bar across the bottom row of keys, and I can no longer use this calculator. I tried uninstalling it and re-installing it. At first the bar was gone, but the next time I went to use it, the ad bar was back, making it useless.
- [R97] Calculator for iPad! I’m so glad it has the m functions: Great
- [R107] Calculator HD Pro Lite Needs added function: This calculator does not have memory plus, minus and recall buttons so difficult to use memory calculations.
- [R108] Calculator HD Pro Lite My favorite calculator app for many years: Great calculator app. Does everything I want and more. I really like the layout and the configure ability to select key colors, notation format, even specific key symbols.
- [R109] Calculator HD Pro Lite Interruptions: Can’t get rid of the ads taking over interrupting the calculating. Can’t get back to the calculating.
- [R110] Calculator HD Pro Lite Hate: Who puts ads on a calculator
- [R61] Calculator₊ Seriously?: I accidentally tapped on something and it wants to charge me six dollars a month for a calculator? This thing does nothing that you can’t get free very easily.
- [R70] Calculator‰ Ad monster gets bigger and bigger: Worst part is when the ads popped up, you couldn’t get the pop up to go away to get back to the calculator screen. Had enough of it, changed to a different calculator program
Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store