A Math Notes alternative for money notes that add themselves up

Q: Can Math Notes add up a list?

Yes. Write the sum, like rent + food =, or build it from named values, and a handwritten column adds up when you draw a line under it. Sigma adds every line with a colon to a total bar, with nothing to write.

Sigma Notepad Calculator is an iPhone alternative to Apple Math Notes for money lists: every line answers as you type, with no equals sign, and the total is always in view. Math Notes is free, built into Notes and Calculator, and for a quick sum it may be all you need. Here is how they differ.

Sigma vs Math Notes, side by side

	Sigma	Math Notes
Price	Free with 3 notes and the full calculator, no ads. Pro is $1.99 a month or $29.99 once	Free, built into iOS, iPadOS and macOS
Runs on	iPhone	iPhone, iPad and Mac, in Notes and Calculator
Getting an answer	Every line answers as you type, with no equals sign	Type an equals sign after the math. A setting inserts the answer, suggests it, or turns answers off
Totals	A total bar above the keyboard adds up every line with a colon, with nothing to write	Write the sum yourself, like `rent + food =`, or build it from named values. A handwritten column adds up when you draw a line under it
Named values	`pay = 2400` keeps a value aside, `rent: 1200` counts toward the total	`rent = 1200` names a value, declared before you use it
Currencies and units	More than 150 currencies, units, dates and percentages	Units and currencies inside any expression
Handwriting and graphs	Typing only	Handwriting, and graphs on iPhone and iPad
Sync	iCloud, with Pro	iCloud, with Notes
Extras	Share as image, checkboxes that change the total, export and themes with Pro	Lives inside the notes you already keep

A Sigma note

October

pay = $2400$2,400

rent: $1200$1,200

food: $380$380

phone: $25$25

left = pay - total$795

Total3 lines counted$1,605

Lines with a colon count toward the total. An equals sign, like pay = 2400, keeps a value aside. The last line uses a total nobody typed. Every result comes from Sigma's own parser.

When Math Notes is the better pick

You want something free that is already on your iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Your math lives inside notes you already keep.
You write by hand with Apple Pencil, or want graphs.
You add things up now and then, not every week.

When Sigma is the better pick

You keep the same money notes week after week: bills, a trip, a dinner to split.
You want every line answered without typing an equals sign.
You want the total in view while you type, and lines you tick to change it.
You want a value kept aside, like pay = 2400, that never lands in the total.

Questions

Can Math Notes add up a list?

Yes. Write the sum, like rent + food =, or build it from named values, and a handwritten column adds up when you draw a line under it. Sigma adds every line with a colon to a total bar, with nothing to write.

Does Math Notes need an equals sign?

For typed math, yes: Math Notes answers after you type =, and a setting chooses whether the answer is inserted or suggested. Sigma answers every line with no equals sign.

Is Sigma free?

Yes, with 3 notes and the full calculator, no ads and no time limit. Pro is $1.99 a month or $29.99 once.

Get Sigma free See how Sigma works

Free with 3 notes, no ads, no time limit. iPhone only.

Facts checked on 29 October 2026 from Apple's Math Notes guides for iPhone and Mac. Prices are in US dollars and may change. Math Notes is part of iOS, iPadOS and macOS by Apple. This page is not affiliated with Apple. Sigma Notepad Calculator is on the App Store.

Also compared: Sigma and Soulver 4.