Best Freeware Scientific Calculators For You
Tired of hassling with replacing batteries in that handheld calculator? Maybe the built in Windows calculator fulfills your number crunching needs, but for some, we need more. Custom formulas, more than one memory, RPN style entry, graphing, adding machine tape, last entry retention when re-launched – all features missing in the Windows calculator!
Ideal Feature List:
1. MUST allow direct keyboard entry in the formula window with shortcut keys or direct typing of the function name. Ideally, ESC key clears and ENTER key solves (does an “=” ).
2. User Formulas and Variables.
3. History tape, preferably editable with notes, savable to clipboard or file.
4. Retention of all variables and user formulas and history tape after the app is closed.
5. Built in 2D/3D graphing with user formula list.
6. Must run on Vista/Windows 7 without special admin mode – preferable have a modern theme, not Windows 95 theme.
7. If not truly free, must not have launch nag screen and not too many features disabled.
8. Must surpass the built in Windows calculator in some significant way. Note that the Windows 7 version added some nifty new
features such as unit conversion, mortgage calculation and better stats and programmer’s aide interfaces.
NOTE: I an not a big RPN fan so none of my favorites below have that.
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I reviewed dozens and dozens of candidates – some as old as 1995 vintage, and only found a few worthy ones:
This is one of the prettiest free calculators out there. Vaxasoftware has an impressive collection of Window calculators to download and several are free. This one has a persistent user variable list after power down and a history while using it. The ESC key closes the app instead of clearing the display. The Help file is a beautifully written pdf file, unusual in the freeware world. All in all, this is a feature swap with the Windows Calc. The 25 user variables is it’s best feature.
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OK, admittedly, it’s a step backwards in looks. However, under the hood it has everything you want – a user variable list, user defined functions, a “Pad” side window that works like a History folder if you do your entry there. You can manually save and load the “Pad” data but that part does have auto-retention when you close the app. The user variable and user formulas DO have retention though. One nice touch is that you don’t even need to hit Enter for the answer, it auto-calcs as you are entering the formula. The ESC key only highlights the formula window, then you need to press DELETE to clear it. There isn’t any unit conversion (unless you define your own) or graphing. The Help file is useful. The log function requires two arguments (extra typing): log(arg;base).
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This fine little calculator has been around since 1999, in fact no new development has happened since 2003. Technically it is not free anymore – they would like you to register it after 30 days and pay $20. The keyboard Enter key solves the entry and clears the display. You can see history on the left (when it is not in graph mode) which is manually savable and loadable, but no automatic retention. There is unit conversion, user variables, excellent 2D and 3D graphing and physical constants. It’s strengths are it’s graphing and scripting – it’s just not totally free.
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I was drawn in immediately by it’s good looks. It has some interesting features such as the adjustable calculator window with multiple formulas. It’s like having 2-5 calculators going at once. Be aware, though, that the Enter key auto launches another entry window (until you hit five which is the maximum count in the free version). The long skinny window on the right is the user variable window. Just set a=3 in the entry window and “a” appears in the user variable list. Because of the retention of data when you close the program, it has user formulas of a sort by using some of the calc windows for that. There is no graphing as Runiter saved that for some of it’s other non-free calculator offerings.
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Full Disclosure: I wrote this one, but yes, it is totally freeware. Actually I revised and re-revised for eight years what I thought would be the ideal calculator. The MA-2003 model still had calculator buttons in it before I went to total command line expression evaluation mode. The model DazyCalc 2.0 had everything and the kitchen sink thrown in – scripting, user formulas, 2D/3D graphing, unit conversion, periodic table, chart plotting, image viewer, textpad editor, chartmaker/data plotter and on and on. Then I decided I really only needed custom user formulas and variables and auto-retention plus a few pet modules for engineering and DazyCalc3.0 was formed. It does everything on our list but graph. I use it daily at work because it launches in one second.
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HONORABLE MENTIONS:
OK, it’s only four function plus square root, but it’s the nicest looking adding machine tape I’ve seen! It also has auto retention at power down. So if you’re just doing your taxes or balancing your checkbook, this is the first choice. If you make a entry mistake half way through , just go back and revise it on the tape and everything after is recalculated. Excelsior is a Russian Programming company specializing in Java. I really wish they would write a full blown scientific calculator…
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Dot Point Learning Systems is an Australian website devoted to science and learning resources. They provide a free scientific calculator with some features disabled (they only want $2 for the non-free version). The calculator is not a perfect direct entry expression evaluator. It does four function as direct entry but functions like “log” require you to enter the number and then press the “log” key for the answer. It does have a history window but no retention at power off. What makes it special? Under the hood is an html based science encyclopedia with specialized calculation windows for everything imaginable. It would be worth having just for that. I would pay these guys $2 just for doing such a great job.
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Ones that didn’t make the cut but may be worthy for you to examine:
iCalculator 2.0 – It’s free and very pretty but does less than the Windows calculator. It does do direct entry perfectly though.
AlgoSim – This is the prettiest (LCARS-like) console calculator I’ve ever seen. It’s more like SciLab, MatLab, etc. in that it does graphing and complex math operations. However, you can just type in 33*4 and get an answer too. You really, really need to read the manual to use this one. The GUI gets an A+ for over the top coolness.
Written July 24, 2010 - Vic Richardson
