Comparison

Construction Master 5 Calc vs Stair Help

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

Head to head
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

About

Stair Help

This application simplifies staircase construction by accurately calculating essential measurements like riser, going, and stringer lengths. It offers customizable units, riser height, and precision settings for fractions and decimal places.

Highlights
  • Calculate riser, going, stringer, and base lengths
  • Set preferred units (mm, cm, inches)
  • Adjustable max riser height
  • Set preferred decimal places
  • Set fraction of an inch precision
Features
Read full description

Stair Help is the easiest way to calculate staircase riser, going, stringer & base lengths when building! Features Include: - Accurately solve staircase equations - Set preferred units from: mm, cm, inches - Adjustable max riser height - Set preferred number of decimal places - Set preferred fraction of an inch precision (between 1/2 & 1/256)

Screenshots

Construction Master 5 Calc4 screens
Stair Help4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Construction Master 5 Calc at Free against Stair Help's $1.99. Construction Master 5 Calc also leads on review sentiment (68% vs 25%) and ratings volume (13K vs 239). Stair Help's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.0). On 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; Stair Help costs $1.99 up front. Construction Master 5 Calc sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Stair Help 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 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Construction Master 5 Calc has 13K ratings behind it against 239, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Construction Master 5 Calc's written reviews are positive against 25% of Stair Help's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Construction Master 5 Calc ships an update every 3 months, Stair Help every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
Construction Master 5 Calc versus Stair Help: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConstruction Master 5 CalcStair Help
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (13K ratings) — better4.6 (239 ratings)
Positive reviews67.9% of reviews — better25.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13K — better239
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#185 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB5 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCalculated IndustriesArmchair Engineering

Customer experience

Construction Master 5 Calc

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

Stair Help

All ratings239 ratings
Positive89.5%
Neutral2.5%
Negative7.9%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

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

Stair Help

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

Stair Help

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Construction Master 5 Calc free?
Construction Master 5 Calc is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Stair Help free?
Stair Help costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Help?
Construction Master 5 Calc is rated higher. Construction Master 5 Calc averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Stair Help averages 4.6 from 239 ratings.
Do Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Help have ads?
Neither Construction Master 5 Calc nor Stair Help shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Help?
Construction Master 5 Calc ships an update every 3 months, and Stair Help every 8 months. Most recently, Construction Master 5 Calc was updated on October 20, 2026 and Stair Help on October 19, 2026.

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