# Stair Calculator vs CutList Optimizer

The clearest difference is update cadence: CutList Optimizer at every 8 days against Stair Calculator's every 3 months. CutList Optimizer also leads on review sentiment (45% vs 21%). Stair Calculator's advantage is ratings volume (738 vs 114). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stair Calculator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year and CutList Optimizer sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.1 for Stair Calculator against 4.2 for CutList Optimizer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stair Calculator has 738 ratings behind it against 114, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 21% of Stair Calculator's written reviews are positive against 45% of CutList Optimizer's.

Stair Calculator ships an update every 3 months, CutList Optimizer every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stair Calculator | CutList Optimizer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (738 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stair-calculator-construction/id1493037366/reviews) | **[4.2 (114 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cutlist-optimizer/id6465744401/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **738** | 114 |
| Positive reviews | 21.4% of reviews | **45.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 8 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 1 MB | 24 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Phan Nhat Đang](https://appshunter.io/developer/1437390098) | [CutList Optimal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1735455971) |

## What reviewers say

### Stair Calculator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stair-calculator-construction/id1493037366)

This app calculates essential parameters for stair construction, offering flexibility in input and providing multiple step set options. It supports various units and allows results to be easily copied.

**Highlights:** Calculate stair construction parameters, Flexible input for Run or Total Run, Determine largest and smallest step sets, Support for various units, Copy results to clipboard

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Annual Premium Package | $9.99 | per year |
| Unlock all features | $5.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Helpful information
- 🚀 Provides useful calculations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Doesn't work as expected
- 🔒 No way to cancel subscription
- 🔒 Difficult to cancel trial
- 🤬 Obnoxious ads
- 🤬 Misleading as a learning tool

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription numbers don't add up
- Doesn't provide promised features after purchase

**Requested features**

- Option to uninstall app
- Ability to calculate run based on rise and landing space
- Provide more detailed diagrams and visuals


### CutList Optimizer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cutlist-optimizer/id6465744401)

This app optimizes material usage and plans cutting layouts for various materials like wood, metal, glass, and fabric. It uses AI to generate efficient cutting plans, minimizing waste and simplifying workflows. Export your plans in multiple formats.

**Highlights:** Unlimited projects, calculations, and parts, Supports part grain and edge banding, Handles panel trimming and saw kerf, Multiple material type support, Guillotine cutting method, Export to PDF, Excel, and DXF

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Annual | $39.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stair Calculator free?

Stair Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is CutList Optimizer free?

CutList Optimizer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Stair Calculator or CutList Optimizer?

CutList Optimizer is rated higher. Stair Calculator averages 4.1 out of 5 from 738 ratings, while CutList Optimizer averages 4.2 from 114 ratings.

### Do Stair Calculator or CutList Optimizer have ads?

Neither Stair Calculator nor CutList Optimizer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Stair Calculator or CutList Optimizer?

Stair Calculator ships an update every 3 months, and CutList Optimizer every 8 days. Most recently, Stair Calculator was updated on September 18, 2026 and CutList Optimizer on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*