# BuildCalc vs Crown Calc Elite

The clearest difference is price: Crown Calc Elite at $4.99 against BuildCalc's $24.99. Crown Calc Elite also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). BuildCalc's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 22 months) and review sentiment (87% vs 69%). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

BuildCalc costs $24.99 and Crown Calc Elite $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for BuildCalc against 4.8 for Crown Calc Elite. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 74 and 119 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 87% of BuildCalc's written reviews are positive against 69% of Crown Calc Elite's.

BuildCalc ships an update every 3 weeks, Crown Calc Elite every 22 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | BuildCalc | Crown Calc Elite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $24.99 | **$4.99** |
| Rating | [4.6 (74 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildcalc/id333369423/reviews) | **[4.8 (119 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crown-calc-elite/id733497099/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 74 | **119** |
| Positive reviews | **87.4% of reviews** | 69.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 22 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#33** | — |
| Size | 15 MB | 3 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [42nd Parallel](https://appshunter.io/developer/333369426) | [Cyberprodigy LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/510284906) |

## What reviewers say

### BuildCalc

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/buildcalc/id333369423)

**Currently charting:** #33 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

This app enhances traditional construction calculators with advanced functions for layout, material estimation, and complex calculations. It offers interactive features, customizable material sizes, and streamlined results presentation to reduce complexity and improve accuracy for professionals.

**Highlights:** Advanced baluster and stair layout, Fence post and material estimation, Interactive calculation adjustments, Customizable material sizes, Miter saw vs. protractor rafter calculations, Streamlined results display and saving

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Crown Calc Elite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/crown-calc-elite/id733497099)

This app simplifies crown molding calculations for both DIYers and professionals. It provides precise bevel and miter angles, along with cut-specific illustrations, to ensure accurate cuts and minimize material waste. Input your corner details and saw type to get instant results.

**Highlights:** Calculates bevel and miter angles, Illustrations for saw positioning, Supports inside and outside corners, Adjustable for different saw types, Multiple angle unit options (degrees, radians, gradians), Calculates edge to fence and side to keep

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is BuildCalc free?

BuildCalc costs $24.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Crown Calc Elite free?

Crown Calc Elite costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, BuildCalc or Crown Calc Elite?

Crown Calc Elite is rated higher. BuildCalc averages 4.6 out of 5 from 74 ratings, while Crown Calc Elite averages 4.8 from 119 ratings.

### Do BuildCalc or Crown Calc Elite have ads?

Neither BuildCalc nor Crown Calc Elite shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, BuildCalc or Crown Calc Elite?

BuildCalc ships an update every 3 weeks, and Crown Calc Elite every 22 months. Most recently, BuildCalc was updated on November 6, 2026 and Crown Calc Elite on November 6, 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.*