Comparison

Construction Calculator vs Baluster Studio

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

Head to head
About

Construction Calculator

This app provides a comprehensive suite of tools for construction professionals and DIY enthusiasts. It offers precise calculations for decking, roofing, stairs, concrete, and more, with support for both metric and imperial units. Designed for jobsite use, it works offline and provides clear visuals for accurate on-site measurements.

Highlights
  • Decking and flooring calculations
  • Roofing material and coverage estimators
  • Stair and stringer rise/run calculations
  • Concrete, asphalt, and gravel volume estimators
  • Slope, pitch, and angle framing helpers
  • Unit converter with mixed-unit support
  • Offline functionality
Read full description

Build faster, measure smarter. Pro² is a complete construction calculator for decking, roofing, concrete, stairs, framing and precise on-site measurements. It’s made for builders, carpenters, contractors and serious DIY who need accurate answers in seconds. DECKING & FLOORING • Area, board runs, spacing and waste allowance • Material takeoff for boards and joists ROOFING (METAL & TILE) • Coverage and sheet/tile counts • Overhangs, pitch, angle and rafter length helpers STAIRS & STRINGERS • Rise/run, slope %, angle (°) and stringer length • Clear breakdowns and step-by-step visuals BALUSTERS, RAILING & EVEN SPACING • Perfect marks from 0 to full length • Spacing tables for clean, consistent layouts CONCRETE, ASPHALT, GRAVEL & SOIL • Volume estimators for slabs, pads, footings and fills • Smart rounding for real-world quantities SLOPE, PITCH & ANGLES • Fast framing helpers for cuts and layout • Metric and imperial support in every tool UNIT CONVERTER • Length, area, volume, density and weight • Built for mixed-unit jobs (mm, ft, inches) QUICK CALCULATOR • Running history with one-tap copy/share MADE FOR THE JOBSITE • Fraction support and practical defaults • Works fully offline—no signal required • Clean visuals that stay readable outdoors WHY PROS USE PRO² • One app instead of juggling multiple separate tools • Accurate results, simple inputs and clear diagrams • New tools and improvements arrive regularly based on user feedback Pro² is built for professional construction, carpentry, decking, roofing and framing work—yet intuitive enough for DIY home projects. Upgrade to unlock additional tools and advanced features when you’re ready to grow your toolkit. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS • Carpenter Pro is an optional auto-renewing subscription with Weekly and Annual plans. • A 3-day free trial is available on the Annual plan. • Payment is charged to your Apple ID and subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period. • You can manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. • Lifetime is a one-time purchase and does not auto-renew. • The localized price is shown in-app before you confirm. Terms of Use (Apple EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://shapkin.dev/apps/carpenter/privacy.html

About

Baluster Studio

Read full description

Baluster Studio is a field-ready layout aid for railing fabricators, deck builders, and finish carpenters. Enter the inside run, post width, baluster width, and code rule. Baluster Studio calculates the baluster count, clear spacing, on-center layout, and pass/fail status before you cut. Built for real railing work: - Flat railing and stair-rake layout support - IRC 2021 R312.1.3 and R311.7.8.1 code citations - 25 standard baluster styles plus custom dimensions - Quick Calc for one-off field checks - Local project job book for clients, addresses, and sections - Tape reads and material counts for site work - PDF export with drawings, notes, bill of materials, and disclaimers - Contractor branding for PDF packets - Worksite Mode for bright, always-awake field use Baluster Studio works fully offline. There is no account, no cloud sync, and no analytics. Projects stay on your iPhone or iPad unless you export them. Baluster Studio is a layout aid, not stamped construction drawings. Always verify measurements on site and against the code edition adopted in your jurisdiction.

Screenshots

Construction Calculator4 screens
Baluster Studio4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Baluster Studio at daily against Construction Calculator's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Construction Calculator sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days and Baluster Studio sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Construction Calculator ships an update fortnightly, Baluster Studio daily. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Construction Calculator versus Baluster Studio: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterConstruction CalculatorBaluster Studio
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (22 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings22 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightlyDaily — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB27 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperShapkin Dev威臻 闫

In-app purchases

12 purchases

Construction Calculator

Subscriptions2
  • Carpenter PRO - Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Carpenter PRO — Annual3 Days trial$19.991 Year
One-time10
  • RL Level & Benchmark Calculator$3.99
  • Gravel Volume Calculator$3.99
  • Stair Stringer & Rise Run Calc$3.99
Show 7 more
  • Soil Excavation Volume Calculator$3.99
  • Asphalt Tonnage Calculator$3.99
  • Right Triangle & Pitch Calculator$3.99
  • Running Measurements Calculator$3.99
  • Unit Converter: Feet & Metric$3.99
  • Paint Area Coverage Estimator$3.99
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
1 purchases

Baluster Studio

One-time1
  • Baluster Studio Lifetime$5.99

Questions

Is Construction Calculator free?
Construction Calculator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Baluster Studio free?
Baluster Studio is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Construction Calculator or Baluster Studio have ads?
Neither Construction Calculator nor Baluster Studio shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Construction Calculator or Baluster Studio?
Construction Calculator ships an update fortnightly, and Baluster Studio daily. Most recently, Construction Calculator was updated on October 12, 2026 and Baluster Studio on October 7, 2026.

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