Comparison

inchCALC+ vs Construction Master 5 Calc

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

Head to head
About

inchCALC+

This app is a professional-level calculator designed for working with feet, inches, and fractions, commonly used in construction and DIY projects. It simplifies complex calculations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of these dimensions, transforming your device into a powerful measurement tool.

Highlights
  • Feet, inch, fraction calculations
  • Conversions to various units
  • Triangle function for rise, run, diagonal, pitch
  • Dual modes for simple and complex problems
  • Selective keyboard orientation
  • Built-in math functions (sqrt, square, pi, percent)
Features
Read full description

PRO LEVEL [FOOT • INCH • FRACTION] CALCULATOR MACWORLD **** "inchCALC+'s ease of use coupled with its advanced features make this an uncommonly good addition to a crowded genre." 3/9/09 inchCALC+ is a State-of-the-Art Construction Calculator / Conversion Calculator for people who work with the FEET• INCH• FRACTION dimensions used on common rulers and tape measures. These dimensions are shear drudgery when you have to manually add or subtract them --- let alone multiply, divide or convert to other measurement units. If you are a builder, contractor, sub-contractor, architect, engineer, artist, designer, student, homemaker or DIYer, you know the importance of working with accurate dimensions. inchCALC+ transforms your iPhone / iPod Touch into a FT• IN• FRACTION construction calculator that inputs and outputs dimensions exactly as they appear on a tape measure. Dedicated and held construction calculators with similar functions are very expensive. With inchCALC+ you can inexpensively perform the functions of those calculators on your iPhone / iPod Touch. Easy conversions to other measurement units: -FT• IN • FRACTION -IN • FRACTION -decimal inches -decimal feet -millimeters -centimeters -meters -kilometers -acres -yards -miles Built-in TRIANGLE FUNCTION -- Enter any two & inchCALC+ automatically solves for the other two: -rise -run -diagonal -pitch Selective Keyboard Orientation for Left Handed or Right Handed users DUAL MODES: -inchCALC for quickly working with simple measurements -inchCALC+™ for working with more complex problem solving -Built-in Functions: √2, X2, π, %, +/- See further details & User Guide on our website below:

About

Construction Master 5 Calc

This app is a powerful feet-inch-fraction calculator designed for construction professionals. It offers advanced calculation capabilities for layouts, bids, and estimates, simplifying complex measurements and conversions for enhanced project accuracy and efficiency.

Highlights
  • Feet-inch-fraction calculations
  • Right angle and rafter calculations
  • Area and volume solutions
  • Board feet and cost per unit
  • Dimensional math and conversions
  • Save or email calculations
  • Context-sensitive help
Features
Read full description

FREE Try Before You Buy trial, your App Store account is not charged by Apple during the free trial. Introducing the Construction Master 5, an innovative feet-inch-fraction builder's calculator that revolutionizes project efficiency and accuracy. For over thirty years, this award-winning tool has been a vital asset in North America's construction industry, trusted by professionals for its precision and reliability. The Construction Master 5 was built for professionals, including Builders, Contractors, Designers, Fabricators, Framers, Carpenters, Tradesmen, and Advanced Do-It-Yourselfers. ----- VERSATILE FUNCTIONALITY FOR CONSTRUCTION PROFESSIONALS ----- • Tailored to meet the needs of Builders, Contractors, and Designers • Essential for Fabricators and Framers/Carpenters • Invaluable for Tradesmen across specialties • Perfect for Advanced Do-It-Yourselfers requiring precise measurements • Aim to enhance speed, accuracy, and productivity in dimension-focused projects ----- OPTIMIZED FOR MOBILE DEVICES ----- • Compatible with both iPhone and iPad • Replicates the trusted functions of our traditional handheld calculators • Enhanced with exclusive features for mobile users • User-friendly design with a comprehensive User’s Guide • Includes Searchable help and a 'press and hold' feature for instant help on functions, supported by tutorial videos ----- ADVANCED CALCULATION CAPABILITIES ----- • Equipped with a robust core engine from Calculated Industries • Assures unmatched reliability and precision • Perfect for construction or DIY projects requiring exact measurements • Offers powerful built-in solutions for layouts, plans, bids, and estimates • Works in and converts between various dimensional formats, including imperial and metric units ----- COMPREHENSIVE BUILT-IN SOLUTIONS ----- • Extensive dimensional math and conversion capabilities • Features complete right angle and rafter calculations • Includes area and volume solutions for square, cubic, and circular calculations • Special functions like Board Feet, Cost per Unit, and Advanced Paperless Tape • User-definable preferences and memory function for personalized use ----- ENHANCED APP FEATURES ----- • Entry-editing Backspace Key for easy corrections • Context-sensitive help is available for each function • Ability to save or email calculations and outputs like cut lists • Facilitates complex calculations with ease • Designed for efficient use in the field, office, or on the go With the Construction Master 5, take your construction and DIY projects to the next level of efficiency and precision. This tool not only simplifies complex calculations but also brings a new level of professionalism and accuracy to your work. Whether working on the job site, in the office or tackling a home project, the Construction Master 5 is your indispensable partner, ensuring that every measurement and calculation is on point. Upgrade your toolkit with the Construction Master 5 and experience the future of construction and project planning today. SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION Your Free Trial period is free of charge. Subscriptions offered will automatically renew at the end of the chosen period. Upon purchase confirmation and completion of a free trial, payment will be charged to your Apple account. The subscription will automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off or the subscription is canceled in settings at least one day (24 hours) before the subscription period ends. You can manage your subscription and turn off auto-renewal in your Apple account Settings > Account (Apple ID) > Subscriptions. TRADEMARKS Construction Master® and Calculated Industries® are registered trademarks of Calculated Industries, Inc. Copyright 2024

Screenshots

inchCALC+4 screens
Construction Master 5 Calc4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Construction Master 5 Calc at Free against inchCALC+'s $4.99. Construction Master 5 Calc also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.7) and ratings volume (13K vs 17). inchCALC+'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads 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

Construction Master 5 Calc is free to download; inchCALC+ costs $4.99 up front. Construction Master 5 Calc sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. inchCALC+ asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Construction Master 5 Calc holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Construction Master 5 Calc has 13K ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 74% of inchCALC+'s written reviews are positive against 68% of Construction Master 5 Calc's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

inchCALC+ ships an update every 2 months, Construction Master 5 Calc every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
inchCALC+ versus Construction Master 5 Calc: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterinchCALC+Construction Master 5 Calc
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating3.7 (17 ratings)4.8 (13K ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.4% of reviews — better67.9% of reviews
Number of ratings1713K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#192 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size19 MB73 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperRiver StudioCalculated Industries

Customer experience

inchCALC+

All ratings17 ratings
Positive70.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative29.4%
Written reviews82 reviews
Positive74.4%
Neutral6.1%
Negative19.5%

Construction Master 5 Calc

All ratings13,064 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews165 reviews
Positive67.9%
Neutral4.2%
Negative27.9%

User reviews

inchCALC+

From 17 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Excellent for feet and inches calculations
  • 👍 Great for metric/imperial conversion
  • 👍 Practical and easy to use
  • 👍 Replaces expensive physical calculators
  • 👍 Smooth calculations and easy unit conversion

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes on newer iOS versions
  • 🐛 Not worth the money compared to free apps
  • 🐛 Missing simple but crucial features
  • 🐛 Outdated UI, not optimized for modern screens
  • 🐛 Buttons too small on landscape screen

Construction Master 5 Calc

From 13K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Convenient to have on phone
  • 💡 Useful for construction work
  • 🚀 Performs like physical calculator
  • 👍 Helpful for calculations and estimates
  • 👍 Great tool for framers and carpenters

Room to improve

  • 💰 Expensive subscription model
  • 🤔 Prefer one-time purchase option
  • 🤔 Subscription cost as much as physical calculator
  • 🤔 Should allow trial before subscription
  • 🐛 Issues with restoring purchases

Bugs and requests

inchCALC+

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • Crashes on iOS 14.2
  • Does not recognize numbers 1, 2, 3 in landscape on mini2 retina
  • App freezes in landscape mode
  • Latest update does not download on iPhone 3GS
  • Not updated to fit any screen since iPhone 4
Show 15 more
  • Landscape view never starts up right on iPad
  • Blank borders on iPhone 6
  • Freezes in landscape mode
  • Crashing on 4.0
  • Right angle solver not great
  • Doesn't save in memory after closing
  • Always opens with a random number showing
  • Major bug: calc fix and stay after restarting
  • Rounding calculations with the 'diag' function
  • Pitch is read only in degrees
  • Cannot solve for RISE when RUN and PITCH are known
  • Area formulas are cut off at the bottom
  • Key lag
  • Key sound triggered by lifting finger, not initial touch
  • Slow flipping to advanced version with tilting

Requested features

28 requests
  • Add a tape-like function
  • Improve vertical calculator conversion settings
  • Add a history view option
  • Allow storing and further calculation with results
  • Add a backspace key
Show 23 more
  • Update UI for modern iOS versions
  • Optimize for larger screens (iPhone 6/6 Plus, iPad)
  • Add a desktop version
  • Add a CE (cancel entry) button in portrait mode
  • Allow pitch entry in inches/slope ratios, not just degrees
  • Add stair and roof functions
  • Add copy/paste function in display
  • Add constant storage or memory
  • Add ability to convert decimals to fractions and vice versa
  • Add clear entry for vertical calculator
  • Make buttons larger in horizontal mode
  • Add examples to website for complex calculations
  • Allow users to submit tips and tricks
  • Option to turn off key clicks or use standard iPhone click sound
  • Display remainder when dividing fractions or an 'R' indicator
  • Add a graph for pitch, rise, and run
  • Ability to convert from foot/inches to decimal without performing a calculation
  • Attach formulas to buttons with labels
  • Add more complicated formulas
  • Fix slow rotation between orientations
  • Fix scrolling to the bottom of information screens
  • Add area of circles or volumes of cylinders
  • Add intuitive interface for rafter diagonals

Construction Master 5 Calc

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App not working without internet connection
  • Crashes or freezes on some devices
  • Login/purchase issues when switching devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add Apple Watch support
  • Offer one-time purchase option
  • Improve compatibility with older devices
  • Provide a free version with limited features

In-app purchases

None

inchCALC+

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Construction Master 5 Calc

Subscriptions2
  • 1 Month Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$3.991 Month
  • 1 Year Full Access14 Days trial3 variants$34.991 Year

Questions

Is inchCALC+ free?
inchCALC+ costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Construction Master 5 Calc free?
Construction Master 5 Calc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, inchCALC+ or Construction Master 5 Calc?
Construction Master 5 Calc is rated higher. inchCALC+ averages 3.7 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Construction Master 5 Calc averages 4.8 from 13K ratings.
Do inchCALC+ or Construction Master 5 Calc have ads?
Neither inchCALC+ nor Construction Master 5 Calc shows ads.
Which is updated more often, inchCALC+ or Construction Master 5 Calc?
inchCALC+ ships an update every 2 months, and Construction Master 5 Calc every 3 months. Most recently, inchCALC+ was updated on October 8, 2026 and Construction Master 5 Calc on October 16, 2026.

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