Scala Architectural Scale vs Panel Planner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Scala Architectural Scale
This app allows users to measure printed architectural and engineering drawings directly on their device. It supports both known and unknown scales, offering fixed and variable scale options for precise measurements. Users can also select secondary units for quick conversions.
- Fixed and variable scale measurement
- Supports unknown drawing scales
- Secondary unit conversions (metric, decimal feet, feet/inches)
- Adjustable measurement precision
- Extensive scale options for architectural, engineering, and metric drawings
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Let Scala Architectural and Engineering Scale change the way you measure printed drawings on the go and at your desk. With fixed and variable scales there is no limit to measuring a printed drawing of any scale, even if the scale is unknown. FIXED SCALES If you know the scale of a drawing, place your device on the drawing, scroll to the scale of the printed drawing and watch the chosen scale slide in. VARIABLE SCALES If the scale of a drawing is unknown, slide your finger on the variable scale and match the scale of one known element, lock it and use it to measure all elements on that drawing. MEASURING Slide the measurement slider in fixed or variable scale modes, along the scale to see the desired measurement displayed. SECONDARY UNITS Choose secondary units to be displayed while measuring, to quickly convert between metric, decimal feet and feet and inches. PRECISION Control the precision of the measurement units. —-— Scala Free Version includes: ARCHITECTURAL Fixed Scales: Full Scale (12”=1’-0”), 6”=1’-0”, 3”=1’-0”, 1 1/2”=1’-0”, 1”=1’-0”, 3/4”=1’-0” Variable Scale Range: Between full scale and 1/32”=1’-0” ENGINEERING Fixed Scales: 1”=10’, 1”=20’, 1”=30’, 1”=40’, 1”=50’ and 1”=60’ Variable Scale Range: Between 1”=10’ and 1”=300’ METRIC Fixed Scales: 1:1, 1:2, 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:25 Variable Scale Range: Between 1:1 and 1:1000 Scala Full Version includes all scales above plus the following: ARCHITECTURAL Fixed Scales: 1/2”=1’-0”, 3/8”=1’-0”, 1/4”=1’-0”, 3/16”=1’-0”, 1/8”=1’-0”, 3/32”=1’-0”, 1/16”=1’-0”, 1/32"=1'-0" ENGINEERING Fixed Scales: 1"=80', 1"=100', 1"=200', 1"=300' METRIC Fixed Scales: 1:30, 1:40, 1:50, 1:75, 1:100, 1:125, 1:200, 1:250, 1:300, 1:400, 1:500, 1:1000 —-—
Panel Planner
Simulate and manage your home's electrical panel. Map circuits, track live loads, and plan new installations with realistic visualizations. Designed for clarity and privacy, it stores all data locally.
- Build custom electrical panels
- Add and simulate device loads
- Live current load calculations
- Color-coded safety status indicators
- Save up to 10 panel configurations
- Offline and private data storage
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Plan, visualize, and manage your home's electrical system — right from your iPhone. Circuit Breaker Panel is an interactive residential electrical panel simulator that lets you map out every circuit in your home, track real-time current loads, and plan new circuits before you ever call an electrician. BUILD YOUR PANEL Install single-pole (120V) and double-pole (240V) breakers in any configuration. Choose from 15A, 20A, 30A, 40A, 50A, and 60A ratings. Support for 24, 30, and 40-slot panels with 100A, 150A, 200A, and 400A main breakers. ADD YOUR DEVICES Populate each circuit with the real appliances and devices in your home. Choose from 20 common presets — refrigerator, HVAC, EV charger, dryer, and more — or enter any custom wattage. Toggle devices on and off to simulate real-world usage scenarios. LIVE LOAD CALCULATIONS Current draw is calculated automatically for every circuit (Amps = Watts ÷ Voltage). Watch each breaker's load bar update in real time as you switch devices on and off. COLOR-CODED SAFETY STATUS Know at a glance which circuits are safe and which are at risk: Green glow — circuit is within safe range (under 70% load) Yellow glow — load is climbing, approaching capacity (70–90%) Red pulsing glow — circuit is overloaded, breaker would trip (over 90%) SAVE UP TO 10 PANELS Save and restore up to 10 complete panel configurations. Perfect for planning a renovation, comparing layouts, or managing panels across multiple properties. DESIGNED FOR CLARITY A realistic panel enclosure with a center bus bar, physical breaker switches, and load bars on every circuit give you an intuitive feel for your home's electrical system — no electrical engineering degree required. FULLY OFFLINE & PRIVATE No account. No internet connection. No data collection of any kind. Your panel configurations are stored only on your device.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Scala Architectural Scale at Free against Panel Planner's $0.99. Scala Architectural Scale also leads on ratings volume (24 vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Panel Planner's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On ads there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Scala Architectural Scale is free to download; Panel Planner costs $0.99 up front. Scala Architectural Scale sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Panel Planner asks for nothing beyond the download.
Panel Planner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Scala Architectural Scale has 24 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
| Parameter | Scala Architectural Scale | Panel Planner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (24 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 86.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 24 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Noerah Alvi | Jeremy Goldschmidt |
Customer experience
Scala Architectural Scale
Panel Planner
In-app purchases
Scala Architectural Scale
- Scala Full Version$2.99
Panel Planner
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Scala Architectural Scale free?
Is Panel Planner free?
Which has better reviews, Scala Architectural Scale or Panel Planner?
Do Scala Architectural Scale or Panel Planner have ads?
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