Comparison

The Build vs Magic Budget Calculator

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

The Build

This app streamlines building material purchases and project management for contractors. It offers tools for creating material lists, receiving bids, managing budgets, assigning tasks, and tracking projects. Stay on schedule and within budget with all company activities at your fingertips.

Highlights
  • Material purchasing
  • Project management
  • Budget management
  • Task assignment
  • Receipt integration
  • Competitive bidding
Features
Read full description

The Build simplifies the process of purchasing building material and integrates the process with easy to use project management tools. The Build allows contractors to view all their company activities at their finger tips thereby helping them to stay on schedule and within budget. Contractors can create material Lists and receive competitive bids, automatically integrate receipts into their Budgets, create and assign Tasks to Crew members, Manage and create budgets, track Projects and manage To Do's , manage project related Notes,

About

Magic Budget Calculator

Features
Read full description

Plan Smarter. Budget Faster. Build with Confidence. The Magic Budget Calculator is your free, go-to tool for instantly generating project budgets and sharing them with ease. Whether you're an owner, board member, or industry professional, this app makes construction budgeting transparent, interactive, and accessible, no expertise required. Built on CSI format descriptions and powered by scenario-based modeling, it lets you explore real-world costs, adjust inputs on the fly, and make informed decisions with clarity and control. Choose Your Experience • Quick Budgeting: Use the Calculator only for fast budgets and scenario planning • Full Project Mode: Register at constructionplace.com to save budgets, connect with vetted experts, and manage your project from start to finish Key Features • Auto-Filled Project Location: Easily confirm or update • Land & Building Info: Input your target construction cost and building size • Customizable Cost Items: Select or deselect based on your project scope • Design & Management Fees: Enter standard percentages or customize • General Requirements: Choose percentage-based or itemized entries • Detailed Review: View area summaries, cost breakdowns, and construction totals • Collaboration Tools: Download your budget as a PDF and share with stakeholders • Integrated Project Management: Save, connect, and manage via Constructionplace.com Built for Every Project Type From new builds to renovations residential, commercial, leasehold improvements, or high-rise condos the Magic Budget Calculator puts you in the driver’s seat. Start budgeting smarter today. Use it freely with or without an account. Your project, your pace.

Screenshots

The Build4 screens
Magic Budget Calculator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Magic Budget Calculator at every 3 weeks against The Build's every 5 months. The Build's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

The Build ships an update every 5 months, Magic Budget Calculator every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
The Build versus Magic Budget Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe BuildMagic Budget Calculator
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMeet My House IncPONTA, INC.

In-app purchases

None

The Build

No in-app purchases

None

Magic Budget Calculator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is The Build free?
The Build is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Magic Budget Calculator free?
Magic Budget Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do The Build or Magic Budget Calculator have ads?
Neither The Build nor Magic Budget Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Build or Magic Budget Calculator?
The Build ships an update every 5 months, and Magic Budget Calculator every 3 weeks. Most recently, The Build was updated on October 14, 2026 and Magic Budget Calculator on October 28, 2026.

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