Comparison

BalusterPro vs Stair Calculator

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

Head to head
About

BalusterPro

This app simplifies the calculation of baluster spacing for handrails and other projects requiring equal spacing. It allows users to input dimensions and adjust the number of balusters to meet code requirements, displaying precise measurements on one screen.

Highlights
  • Calculate baluster spacing
  • Input handrail dimensions
  • Adjust balusters needed slider
  • View spacing between balusters
  • Display centers and edges
  • Select measurement precision (1/16, 1/32, metric, 1/64)
  • Audio output of measurements
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

***Named one of the top 100 new home products for 2011 in This Old House magazine*** BalusterPro is a unique and handy tool designed for carpenters and woodworkers, but useful for do-it-yourselfers and homeowners alike. BalusterPro makes the chore of calculating spacing of handrail balusters a quick and elementary task.  It can also be used for any job requiring equal spacing between boards or slats.  Use for picket fences, bench/chair backs,decking or column flutes. ____________________________________ What users are saying: Punch in staircase and handrail dimensions, choose the configuration, and this app saves you the tedium of calculating baluster spacing. Hallelujah. This Old House Magazine BalusterPro is an awesome app and can be used for a multitude of layout tasks, at your desk, on the job, in your car—wherever your phone goes, and it only costs a few bucks. Gary Katz - Master finish carpenter and publisher of THISiscarpentry.com BalusterPro makes building that stairway more heavenly homefixated.com ____________________________________ Instructions for Use: BalusterPro offers calculations for six different common handrail situations which you may encounter.  First, tap the settings button to select your measurement input method, then select the desired type of baluster installation. Use the keypad or sliders to enter your measurements for ‘Run Length’ (distance between the newel posts) and the ‘Baluster Width.’  Finally, just drag the ‘Balusters Needed’ slider to see your required number of balusters. As you adjust the ‘Balusters Needed’ slider, the “Spacing Between Balusters” will simultaneously update. Stop when your ‘Spacing Between Balusters’ meets your specific code requirements. Tap the view button to see a list of all the centers and edges of the balusters. No longer will you need to keep pressing the add button on your traditional calculator to list your centers....they are all shown on one screen! It’s just that simple! You can display your measurements by selecting 1/16, 1/32, or metric on the main screen to determine your precision level. If desired you can also display your result down to 1/64. To do this, once you have done your calculation, simply tap the 'Spacing Between Balusters' result and if possible it will be further reduced down to 1/64 and displayed for 5 seconds. This is handy if you want to cut all your fillets at once as it nearly eliminates cumulative error. Tap the speak buttons at the bottoms of the list columns to have the app speak your measurements. ____________________________________________________________________ Check out my other construction related apps...StairBuilderPro for a stair stringer layout tool & TilePro for a simple tile layout tool. ____________________________________________________________________ Check out the video demo at my website to see BalusterPro in action.

About

Stair Calculator

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
Read full description

Stair Calculator helps you calculate and compare staircase dimensions. FEATURES • Calculate using Run, Total Run, or Stair Angle • Enter a specific number of Runs or explore all calculated options • Support Metric and Imperial units • View detailed measurements and stair diagrams • Export results as a PDF or image • Copy results to the clipboard IMPORTANT Results are generated based on user-provided values and general calculation models. The app is intended for reference and educational purposes only. Please verify all measurements, local building requirements, and safety standards before actual construction. SUBSCRIPTION This subscription package offers unlimited access to all app features throughout the subscription period. • Payment will be charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. • The subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Your Apple Account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours before the end of the current period, and the renewal cost will be identified. • Subscriptions may be managed and auto-renewal may be turned off in your Apple Account Settings after purchase. • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription, where applicable. PRIVACY POLICY https://13520178.github.io/StairCalc/policy.html TERMS OF USE https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ CONTACT If you have any questions or suggestions, please contact us. Email: phannhatd@gmail.com

Screenshots

BalusterPro4 screens
Stair Calculator3 screens

Verdict

The call

BalusterPro and Stair Calculator both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of BalusterPro's written reviews are positive against 21% of Stair Calculator's. BalusterPro also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and chart position (#97 vs unranked). Stair Calculator's advantage is price (Free vs $2.99) and ratings volume (738 vs 17). On rating, 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

Stair Calculator is free to download; BalusterPro costs $2.99 up front. Stair Calculator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per year. BalusterPro asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.2 for BalusterPro against 4.1 for Stair Calculator. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stair Calculator has 738 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of BalusterPro's written reviews are positive against 21% of Stair Calculator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BalusterPro ships an update every 2 months, Stair Calculator every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
BalusterPro versus Stair Calculator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBalusterProStair Calculator
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.2 (17 ratings) — better4.1 (738 ratings)
Positive reviews83.1% of reviews — better21.4% of reviews
Number of ratings17738 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#97 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGreg GabrioPhan Nhat Đang

Customer experience

BalusterPro

All ratings17 ratings
Positive76.5%
Neutral5.9%
Negative17.6%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive83.1%
Neutral5.1%
Negative11.9%

Stair Calculator

All ratings738 ratings
Positive77.2%
Neutral5.0%
Negative17.8%
Written reviews28 reviews
Positive21.4%
Neutral7.1%
Negative71.4%

User reviews

BalusterPro

From 17 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Time saver for calculations
  • 👍 Easy to use for baluster spacing
  • ✅ Accurate results
  • 🛠️ Versatile for various projects (wainscoting, beams, etc.)
  • 💰 Makes money by saving time

Room to improve

  • ⚠️ Limited angle range (40 degrees)
  • 🐌 App is slow
  • 튕 Kicks out randomly
  • 🔢 Metric input only whole numbers
  • 🚫 No option to start with center baluster

Stair Calculator

From 738 App Store ratings

What we love

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

Room to improve

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

Bugs and requests

BalusterPro

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App kicks you out randomly
  • App crashes when tapping view tab
  • App crashes when clicking on flat run balisters attached

Requested features

18 requests
  • Allow angles past 40 degrees
  • Loosen angle tolerance
  • Update the app
  • Add visualization tool
  • Option to start with a center baluster
Show 13 more
  • Improve metric input (decimals)
  • Fix crashing when tapping view tab
  • Allow input with keypad instead of sliders
  • Compute longer runs
  • Allow setting measurements with keypad
  • Allow input of actual parameters of existing conditions
  • Input fields for precise measurements/placements of Posts
  • Allow in-field measurements for angles of rise & run
  • Allow input of spacing per local code to calculate baluster count
  • Fix baluster count recalculation
  • Automatically add baluster width to run measurement
  • Improve slider controls for better precision
  • Add dark mode option

Stair Calculator

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Subscription numbers don't add up
  • Doesn't provide promised features after purchase

Requested features

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

In-app purchases

None

BalusterPro

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Stair Calculator

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Premium Package7 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Unlock all features$5.99

Questions

Is BalusterPro free?
BalusterPro costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stair Calculator free?
Stair Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, BalusterPro or Stair Calculator?
BalusterPro is rated higher. BalusterPro averages 4.2 out of 5 from 17 ratings, while Stair Calculator averages 4.1 from 738 ratings.
Do BalusterPro or Stair Calculator have ads?
Neither BalusterPro nor Stair Calculator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BalusterPro or Stair Calculator?
BalusterPro ships an update every 2 months, and Stair Calculator every 3 months. Most recently, BalusterPro was updated on September 23, 2026 and Stair Calculator on September 18, 2026.

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