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calc vs GNU bc: catalog facts
calc	GNU bc
Free Free and open source under the LGPL-2.1-or-later license.	Free Free software from the GNU Project.
Command line	Command line
Handles arbitrary-precision numbers Works interactively or from a command-line expression	Arbitrary precision arithmetic Scriptable, with C-like syntax
Uses a command-line interface	Terse syntax unfamiliar to casual users Text-only, no graphing or symbolic maths
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: LGPL-2.1-or-later	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 8, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.