Comparison

Inspector Toolbelt vs PermitTrace

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

Head to head
About

Inspector Toolbelt

This comprehensive home inspection software is designed by inspectors for inspectors. It offers robust features for report generation, scheduling, and client management, with a focus on data privacy and user-friendliness. A free tier provides essential tools, while a Pro tier unlocks advanced capabilities for professional use.

Highlights
  • Data ownership and privacy
  • Fast Inspection Board navigation
  • Free scheduling and client portal
  • Auto-generate client agreements & invoices
  • Customizable client notifications
  • Unlimited practice inspections
  • Cross-device data sync
Features
Read full description

Our home inspection app was built from the ground up BY Inspectors, FOR Inspectors. It's simple... we work how YOU work. Why is ITB the best? - You own your data, no strings attached. We take your and your client's privacy VERY seriously. - We're fast! Our Inspection Board navigation lets you view your entire report with just a few swipes. - FREE scheduling and Client Portal. Get your business going without worrying about the cost. - FREE one-on-one training sessions to get you started - Unlimited practice inspections to get everything set up just the way you want. - We don't go down for maintenance. Ever. - We have new features coming out every month What you get for FREE: - Our all-in-one app on desktop and mobile - Basic scheduling, including contact manager and calendar - Auto-generate client agreements & invoices - Customizable client email notifications and marketing - An appointment widget for your website - Unlimited practice inspection reports - 5 FREE published reports - Over 20 Free templates including TREC, 4-Point & Wind Mit - Over 400 comments in our free narrative library What you get on PRO tier: - Unlimited inspection reports - Unlimited document and photo storage - Multi-Inspector support with Teams - Enhanced Email & SMS client notifications - Set service area limits and travel surcharges - No per inspection fees... EVER. Other details you may want to know: - All inspections have beautiful and fast web reports and a PDF - Choose from 3 PDF designs with more coming soon! - Your data is always in sync across all your devices - Our photo upload is BLAZING fast. Period. - You get the same features and layout on all devices and platforms Reach out to us for more information or if you need a hand from our team with onboarding. Thank you for choosing Inspector Toolbelt! The most innovative home inspection software you'll ever use. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

PermitTrace

Research recorded property work history across the United States by address. Review permit status, scope, and contractors, and get estimated ages for major home systems. Save and share findings, or scan equipment data plates for more details.

Highlights
  • Search US permit history by address
  • Review permit status and scope
  • Estimate home system ages
  • Scan equipment data plates
  • Save and share property findings
  • View aerial property context
Read full description

Permit searches, made simple. Enter a U.S. property address and explore available building-permit history in one clear, easy-to-read profile. PermitTrace helps home inspectors, buyers, homeowners, real estate professionals, and contractors find records without digging through separate municipality databases. FROM ADDRESS TO ANSWERS • Find an address with autocomplete and search its available permit history. • Review permit numbers, work descriptions, statuses, and dates, plus contractor and valuation details when available. • See estimated roof, HVAC, and water-heater ages based on completed permit records. • View aerial property context, save properties, revisit previous searches, and share findings. • Report a missing permit or incorrect result directly from the app. START WITH A FREE ACCOUNT Use PermitTrace Pitch for live surface slope and angle readings, then save annotated photos to your camera roll. Browse the manual Equipment Library for HVAC and water-heater age references. Neither tool requires a Pro subscription. The welcome screen clearly explains what is free and what is included with Pro. MORE WITH PRO Scan HVAC and water-heater data plates to help determine manufacture dates, or preview room updates from a photo. Photo Equipment Decoder and Room Visualizer require Pro. HVAC Size Estimator — Beta testing gives Pro members a rough estimate of a home’s cooling need. Enter an address for county climate references or choose a climate manually, then answer guided home questions. Review the assumptions and scenario details. This unvalidated screening tool is not a Manual J load calculation or an equipment recommendation. A qualified HVAC professional should complete a full load calculation and confirm equipment sizing. CHOOSE HOW YOU SEARCH Use pay-as-you-go credits or PermitTrace Pro. In the U.S., one report credit is $1.99. Pro is $24.99 per month and includes 50 successful permit searches, 50 equipment photo readings, and 10 room visualizations. Active Pro members can purchase an additional search for $0.99 after using their included allowance. Purchased credits do not expire. Zero-result and repeat unlocked-address searches do not use a credit. See the app for local pricing. Keep your searches organized whether you are checking one home or researching properties throughout the workday. Business users can share an organization's Pro allowance through individual employee accounts. An account is required for live searches and the free tools. Explore the sample profile before signing in. Pro renews automatically unless canceled and can be managed in your Apple subscription settings. IMPORTANT COVERAGE INFORMATION PermitTrace searches available records nationwide, but not every municipality maintains an online database. Coverage and historical depth vary; results may be incomplete. Address spelling differences can also affect results. A no-record result does not prove that no permits exist. Verify important findings with the issuing authority. System ages are estimates based on recorded completed permits, not guarantees of installation date or condition. Equipment dates and room visualizations should be independently confirmed. PermitTrace is an independent research service, not a government agency. Privacy: https://www.getpermittrace.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Inspector Toolbelt4 screens
PermitTrace4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PermitTrace at every 3 days against Inspector Toolbelt's every 4 weeks. PermitTrace also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Inspector Toolbelt's advantage is ratings volume (18 vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Inspector Toolbelt sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $79.00 per month and PermitTrace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PermitTrace holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Inspector Toolbelt has 18 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Inspector Toolbelt ships an update every 4 weeks, PermitTrace every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Inspector Toolbelt versus PermitTrace: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterInspector ToolbeltPermitTrace
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (18 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings18 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeksEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size46 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFull View Marketing LLCFlorida Property Group LLC

Customer experience

Inspector Toolbelt

All ratings18 ratings
Positive94.4%
Neutral0.0%
Negative5.6%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

PermitTrace

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Inspector Toolbelt

Subscriptions1
  • Pro User$79.001 Month
2 purchases

PermitTrace

Subscriptions1
  • PermitTrace Pro$24.991 Month
One-time1
  • 1 Permit Report Credit$1.99

Questions

Is Inspector Toolbelt free?
Inspector Toolbelt is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PermitTrace free?
PermitTrace is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Inspector Toolbelt or PermitTrace?
PermitTrace is rated higher. Inspector Toolbelt averages 4.8 out of 5 from 18 ratings, while PermitTrace averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Inspector Toolbelt or PermitTrace have ads?
Neither Inspector Toolbelt nor PermitTrace shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Inspector Toolbelt or PermitTrace?
Inspector Toolbelt ships an update every 4 weeks, and PermitTrace every 3 days. Most recently, Inspector Toolbelt was updated on October 24, 2026 and PermitTrace on October 24, 2026.

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