Calculator apps for Mac and iPhoneHead to head
Soulver vs PCalc
Soulver ranks #1 and PCalc ranks #3 in our guide to the best calculator apps for Mac and iPhone. Soulver is our pick for most people.
SoulverPick Soulver if you plan budgets or trip costs and want every step visible and easy to change.$59 once#3 in the guide
PCalcPick PCalc if you need RPN, hex or binary math on your iPhone and Apple Watch.$9.99 onceWhat decides it
- PCalc costs less over 3 years: $9.99, against $59 for Soulver.
- Both run on Mac, iPhone and iPad. Only PCalc runs on Apple Watch.
- Soulver is included with a Setapp subscription; PCalc isn't.
- Soulver has the higher App Store rating: 4.9 from 436 ratings, against 4.7 for PCalc.
Side by side
Prices are checked every day.
| At a glance | Soulver | PCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $59 once for Mac, iPad and iPhone, after a 60-day free trial | $9.99 once for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. The Mac version is $9.99 separately |
| How you pay | Pay once | Pay once |
| 3 years of use | $59 | $9.99 Cheaper |
| Free trial | Yes | None listed |
| Runs on | Mac, iPhone, iPad | Mac, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Where to buy | Developer, App Store, Setapp | App Store |
| Rating | 4.9 436 ratings Higher | 4.7 779 ratings |
| Features | iCloud sync, Shortcuts, Free trial | Menu bar app, Shortcuts, Family Sharing |
| Made by | Zac Cohan | TLA Systems Ltd. |
| Last updated | 30 Oct 2026 | 24 Oct 2026 |
Who should get which
Get Soulver if
You work out budgets, trip costs or unit conversions and want to see every step, not just a total.
Get PCalc if
You are an engineering or computer science student who wants RPN or binary math on your phone and wrist.
Skip Soulver if
Your math is the odd tip or sum; Spotlight and the built-in Calculator do that free.
Skip PCalc if
You split dinner bills and convert the odd currency, and the free PCalc Lite or Apple's Calculator is enough.
Our verdicts
Soulver
Every line in a Soulver sheet can use an earlier answer, so changing your rent figure updates the whole monthly budget beneath it. You write sums in plain words, convert currencies and units as you type, and version 4 adds trip planning and hashtag totals. At $59 for Mac, iPad and iPhone it is a serious purchase, so use the 60-day trial or get it through Setapp; Numi handles lighter math free.
PCalc
If you are an engineer, programmer or student who needs RPN, hex and binary modes or a real paper tape, PCalc has been the answer on Apple devices for over 30 years. Apple's built-in Calculator can't match its button layout editor, long list of constants or menu bar mode on the Mac. You do pay twice, $9.99 for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch and another $9.99 for the Mac.
What each one helps you do
Soulver
- Budget a month in plain words and numbers
- Plan a trip's dates and costs together
- Total every line tagged #work
- Convert currencies and units as you type
PCalc
- Do quick sums from the Mac menu bar
- Convert units by typing "$ to £"
- Work in hex, octal or binary
- Design your own calculator button layout
Where to get them
Soulver
$59 once for Mac, iPad and iPhone, after a 60-day free trial
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From the developer60-day free trial; when it ends, your sheets turn read-only until you buy$59Get it
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Mac App StoreWith in-app purchasesFree downloadMac App Store
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IncludedTry Setapp
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iPhone and iPad appCompanion app on the App StoreFree downloadApp Store
PCalc
$9.99 once for iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch. The Mac version is $9.99 separately
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App Store, iPhone, iPad and Apple WatchWith in-app purchases$9.99App Store
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Mac App StoreWith in-app purchases$9.99Mac App Store
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Neither one quite right?
The other picks in our guide to the best calculator apps for Mac and iPhone.
Read the full guideAll Soulver alternativesAll PCalc alternatives