Comparison

Span Calc vs ChargeRight

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

Head to head
About

Span Calc

Calculate maximum horizontal spans for wood joists and rafters using various lumber species and grades. Compares multiple options for common loading conditions based on NDS® standards.

Highlights
  • Calculates joist and rafter spans
  • Supports all softwood and hardwood lumber
  • Uses 2021 NDS® for Wood Construction
  • Compares multiple species and grades
  • Handles common loading conditions
Features
Read full description

The American Wood Council (AWC) Span Calculator for Wood Joists and Rafters (Span Calc) performs calculations for all species and grades of commercially available softwood and hardwood lumber as found in the 2021 National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction. Joists and rafter spans for common loading conditions can be determined. A span options calculator allows selection of multiple species and grades for comparison purposes. Supported by the Softwood Lumber Board. Maximum horizontal spans for joists and rafters are calculated based on the following assumptions and conditions: · Joists and rafters are oriented to support vertical loads applied to the narrow (1.5 in. thick) face of the member, resulting in strong-axis bending. · At least three joists or rafters are installed parallel to one another and spaced not more than 24 inches on-center, with properly designed sheathing attached on the top (compression) edge of each joist or rafter. · Joists and rafters are single-span with adequate structural support at each end. The Span Calculator does not address cantilevered joists and rafters, multiple-span joists and rafters, or spliced joists and rafters. · For joists and rafters, most building codes specify a minimum bearing length of 1.5 inches on wood or metal and not less than 3 inches on masonry or concrete. These minimum bearing lengths are to be used in the absence of calculated bearing lengths. Consult the local building code for specific requirements. · Joists and rafters carry only combinations of dead load plus live load (D + L), dead load plus snow load (D + S), or dead load plus roof live load (D + Lr). The Span Calculator does not address wind load or seismic load. · Buildings in regions with ground snow loads greater than 70 psf should not use the prescriptive provisions of the governing building code without approval of the authority having jurisdiction. Buildings in these high snow zones should be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice. While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of the information presented, and special effort has been made to assure that the information reflects the state-of-the-art, neither the American Wood Council nor its members assume any responsibility for any particular design prepared from this Span Calculator application. Those using this Span Calculator assume all liability from its use.

About

ChargeRight

Determine if your home's electrical panel can support an EV charger with a professional load calculation. Get a clear report based on NEC code, saving you money on unnecessary upgrades.

Highlights
  • EV charger sizing calculator
  • NEC 220.82 load calculation
  • AI-powered panel photo analysis
  • Electrician call script
  • Shareable assessment report
  • Homeowner-focused guidance
Features
Read full description

Can your electrical panel support an EV charger? Find out in minutes with a real NEC load calculation -- no electrician visit needed. ChargeRight gives homeowners clear, code-based answers about their panel capacity before committing to expensive electrical work. Built by a Master Electrician, not a tech company or an installation broker. HOW IT WORKS 1. Photograph your panel -- open the door so the breakers are visible. 2. Answer questions about your home -- panel size, square footage, heating, and the appliances you already run. 3. Pick your EV -- the circuit is sized to the driving you actually do, not to the biggest charger an installer can sell you. 4. Get your report ($69.99) -- your load calculation, your panel's spare capacity, and what to tell your electrician. WHAT YOU GET • A real NEC load calculation, the same math a licensed electrician runs before quoting you • AI analysis of your panel photo for visible safety concerns • Your calculated load, your panel's safe capacity, and the headroom left over • A charger size matched to your driving • A word-for-word script for the call with your electrician • A shareable report link you can open from any browser WHY IT MATTERS J.D. Power found only 28% of EV owners needed panel-specific work, even though ESFI found 65% were told they did. A proper load calculation can save you $2,000-$4,500 by avoiding an upgrade you do not need. Don't accept "you need an upgrade" without seeing the math. BUILT BY AN ELECTRICIAN, FOR HOMEOWNERS ChargeRight was founded by Jason Walls, a Master Electrician with EVITP certification. There is no financial incentive to upsell you here. The only job is giving you accurate numbers. • Independent -- nothing is installed and no installation is brokered • Code-based -- calculations follow the National Electrical Code • Private -- your data is used only for your report $69.99 per assessment. One time, no subscription. This is a pre-assessment, not an official inspection or a permit. Have a licensed electrician confirm before any work.

Screenshots

Span Calc4 screens
ChargeRight4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ChargeRight at 5.0 against Span Calc's 3.0. Span Calc's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (16 vs 1). On price, 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

Both are free to download. ChargeRight sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Span Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ChargeRight holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Span Calc has 16 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Span Calc ships an update every 10 days, ChargeRight every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Span Calc versus ChargeRight: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpan CalcChargeRight
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (16 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.2 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size168 MB8 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAmerican Wood CouncilJASON LLOYD WALLS

Customer experience

Span Calc

All ratings15 ratings
Positive53.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative46.7%
Written reviews27 reviews
Positive29.6%
Neutral11.1%
Negative59.3%

ChargeRight

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Span Calc

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

ChargeRight

One-time1
  • EV Panel Assessment$16.99

Questions

Is Span Calc free?
Span Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ChargeRight free?
ChargeRight is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Span Calc or ChargeRight?
ChargeRight is rated higher. Span Calc averages 3.0 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while ChargeRight averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Span Calc or ChargeRight have ads?
Neither Span Calc nor ChargeRight shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Span Calc or ChargeRight?
Span Calc ships an update every 10 days, and ChargeRight every 3 weeks. Most recently, Span Calc was updated on October 23, 2026 and ChargeRight on October 11, 2026.

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