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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Calculator vs Basic Calculator+

Calculator 4.5★ · Free + IAP 40
Winner Basic Calculator+
Basic Calculator+ 4.9★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 65

Basic Calculator+ is the better choice for a simple, reliable calculator experience, despite recent ad issues, as Calculator is plagued by an overwhelming number of ads and reports of lagging performance.

Full reviews: Calculator · Basic Calculator+

Both Calculator and Basic Calculator+ are free apps that suffer from intrusive ads, but Basic Calculator+ generally offers a more straightforward and reliable experience for basic calculations. Calculator is heavily criticized for excessive ads and performance issues, while Basic Calculator+ is praised for its simplicity when ads aren't interfering.

Head to head

Features edge: Basic Calculator+R1R12R14R17
Calculator Calculator offers features like changeable themes and backgrounds, with users appreciating the variety of options R14R17. Some users find it helpful for school and learning R12R14. However, some report it's a 'stupid calculator' and lacks basic functions like percentages or a backspace button R1.
Basic Calculator+ Basic Calculator+ is consistently praised for being a simple, basic calculator, exactly as its name suggests R65R85. Users appreciate its straightforward functionality for everyday calculations R71R85. However, one significant complaint notes that it does not perform sums of products properly, suggesting issues with order of operations .
Ease of Use edge: Basic Calculator+R2R5R8R24
Calculator Many users find Calculator helpful and easy to use for basic math R2. However, some find it confusing to navigate, specifically struggling to return to start a new question R5R8. There are also complaints about buttons not being big enough R24.
Basic Calculator+ Basic Calculator+ is widely described as easy to use, simple, and user-friendly R71R79R85. Users appreciate its clear display and large numbers, which are particularly helpful for seniors . Some users specifically sought it out because the iPhone calculator changed and they preferred Basic Calculator+ .
Reliability tieR4R5R10R13
Calculator Calculator is frequently reported to be laggy R5R15. The most significant reliability issue is the constant interruption by ads, which makes the app unusable for many R4R10R13. Some ads are described as deceptive or containing scam warnings R10.
Basic Calculator+ Basic Calculator+ users report that the app used to be reliable and ad-free, but recent updates have introduced frequent and intrusive ads that block functionality and make it unusable R61. Some ads are reported to be long, unskippable, or even pornographic . There are also reports of the app locking up or not opening at all .
Price/Value tieR3R4R6R9
Calculator Calculator is free to download with in-app purchases, but users are overwhelmed by the number of ads, which significantly detracts from its value R3R4R6R9. Many users state they will delete the app due to the ads R10.
Basic Calculator+ Basic Calculator+ is free to download, and many users initially valued it for being free and ad-free . However, recent updates have introduced numerous, intrusive ads, leading many users to delete the app and feel it no longer offers good value R61. Some users note there isn't even an option to pay to remove ads .
Pick Calculator if

You want a calculator with customizable themes and backgrounds, and you are willing to tolerate frequent and intrusive ads R14R17.

Pick Basic Calculator+ if

You need a simple, straightforward calculator for basic arithmetic and prefer a clean, easy-to-read interface, and you are hoping for a version with fewer ads than currently reported R65R71R79R85.

Evidence note: Both apps suffer from significant negative feedback regarding ads, making it difficult to find strong positive points for either that aren't immediately contradicted by ad complaints. The comparison on reliability and price/value is heavily skewed by this shared issue.

Frequently asked

Are these calculator apps free?
Yes, both Calculator and Basic Calculator+ are free to download, but they include in-app ads R3R14R15R61.
Do these apps have a lot of ads?
Yes, both Calculator and Basic Calculator+ are heavily criticized for having too many intrusive ads that disrupt calculations and make the apps difficult or impossible to use R4R10R13R19.
Which app is better for basic calculations?
Basic Calculator+ is generally considered better for basic calculations due to its simple, straightforward design and ease of use, although recent ad issues have significantly impacted its user experience R65R71R79R85.

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.

  1. [R1] Calculator 2/5 · US We need to talk: This is a stupid calculator even my parents calculator is better than this so yeah
  2. [R12] Calculator 3/5 · US Calculator: I like the calculator because I can learn new things
  3. [R14] Calculator 5/5 · US Helps a ton: Calc is a life saver for school and it has so many pretty backgrounds to choose from and it is completely free you should try it!!!!!
  4. [R17] Calculator 5/5 · US Review: It is so good to calculate and it can change themes
  5. [R2] Calculator 5/5 · US Calc: Very helpful
  6. [R5] Calculator 4/5 · US 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
  7. [R8] Calculator 5/5 · US One more thing: It is a little confusing
  8. [R24] Calculator 3/5 · GB Buttons not big enough: The buttons are NOT big enough
  9. [R4] Calculator 1/5 · US Too many ads: lol it gives me an ad every time I click the c function. Useless
  10. [R10] Calculator 1/5 · US TOO MANY ADS!: Deleting this app. Way too many ads pop up. And they’re deceiving!! Don’t waste your time with this app.
  11. [R13] Calculator 1/5 · US Do not download this adfest: Annoying intrusive ads. This developer should be ashamed.
  12. [R3] Calculator 3/5 · US It was ok ig?: It worked great for everything but a little to much ads.
  13. [R6] Calculator 3/5 · US Too many Ads: Would be great minus the ads
  14. [R9] Calculator 3/5 · US 🥶: Good app but the ads are so incredibly annoying
  15. [R15] Calculator 3/5 · US Too many commercials: This app started out good but all of a sudden they way too many commercials slowing me down badly otherwise it’s a good calculator,but I got another one with less interruptions.
  16. [R61] Basic Calculator+ 1/5 · US Ads: Was trying to use this and ads kept popping up…on a calculator app like rly -.- Deleted it so fast
  17. [R19] Calculator 1/5 · US Ads ads and more ads: That’s right. A calculator with ads. Furthermore it is difficult to impossible to exit from them. Simply horrible
  18. [R65] Basic Calculator+ 5/5 · US Basic Calculator+: it's exactly what it says: a basic calculator. & they seriously meant "basic!" so don't expect anything else!
  19. [R71] Basic Calculator+ 5/5 · US Nice to have: A nice and easy calculator to use for every day stuff.
  20. [R79] Basic Calculator+ 5/5 · US Great Calculator: I am very pleased with my new calculator. Very user friendly.
  21. [R85] Basic Calculator+ 5/5 · US Handy: This is a very convenient calculator for simple calculations you have to do. No complicated steps.

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store