Comparison

Construction Master 5 Calc vs Stair Stringer

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 Stringer

This app calculates all necessary measurements for building a stair stringer, including risers, run, angle, and length. Easily adjust parameters and switch between Imperial and Metric units. Share your calculated results via email or text.

Highlights
  • Calculates stair risers and run
  • Determines stair angle and stringer length
  • Calculates step height and tread depth
  • Determines the number of steps
  • Adjustable parameters
  • Imperial or Metric units
  • Share results via email/text
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

This App is used for finding the measurements needed to construct a Stair Stringer. It calculates stair risers and run, stair angle, stringer length, step height, tread depth, and the number of steps required for a given run of stairs.  Easy to adjust parameters to customize and fit your requirements. Inputs and Results can be Imperial or Metric. The calculated results can be emailed or texted as needed.

Screenshots

Construction Master 5 Calc4 screens
Stair Stringer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Construction Master 5 Calc at Free against Stair Stringer's $1.99. Construction Master 5 Calc also leads on ratings volume (13K vs 86). Stair Stringer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 months). On rating, review sentiment, ads and chart position 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 Stringer costs $1.99 up front. Construction Master 5 Calc sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Stair Stringer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Construction Master 5 Calc against 4.7 for Stair Stringer. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Construction Master 5 Calc has 13K ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 68% of Construction Master 5 Calc's written reviews are positive against 67% of Stair Stringer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Construction Master 5 Calc ships an update every 3 months, Stair Stringer every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Construction Master 5 Calc versus Stair Stringer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConstruction Master 5 CalcStair Stringer
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.8 (13K ratings) — better4.7 (86 ratings)
Positive reviews67.7% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings13K — better86
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#184#126 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB2 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperCalculated IndustriesH3 Apps, LLC

Customer experience

Construction Master 5 Calc

All ratings13,064 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral1.2%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews164 reviews
Positive67.7%
Neutral4.3%
Negative28.0%

Stair Stringer

All ratings86 ratings
Positive91.9%
Neutral4.7%
Negative3.5%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

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 Stringer

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 Stringer

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 Stringer free?
Stair Stringer costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Stringer?
Construction Master 5 Calc is rated higher. Construction Master 5 Calc averages 4.8 out of 5 from 13K ratings, while Stair Stringer averages 4.7 from 86 ratings.
Do Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Stringer have ads?
Neither Construction Master 5 Calc nor Stair Stringer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Stringer?
Construction Master 5 Calc ships an update every 3 months, and Stair Stringer every 5 weeks. Most recently, Construction Master 5 Calc was updated on September 25, 2026 and Stair Stringer on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, Construction Master 5 Calc or Stair Stringer?
Construction Master 5 Calc currently peaks at #184 in the App Store charts, and Stair Stringer at #126. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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