Ruler Estimation vs PermitTrace
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ruler Estimation
This AI-powered construction estimation app helps contractors and builders generate fast, accurate project cost estimates. It uses map-based measurements and intelligent calculations for various project types, allowing for quick report generation and business growth.
- Map-based location measurement
- AI-powered cost estimation
- Material and labor cost breakdown
- Supports roofing, fencing, and driveway projects
- Demolition cost estimation
- Export professional PDF reports
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Estimate faster. Work smarter. Win more projects. Ruler Estimate is an AI-powered construction estimation app built for contractors, builders, and business owners who need fast and reliable project cost estimates. Using map-based measurements and intelligent calculations, you can generate accurate estimates for roofing, fencing, driveways, and more in just a few taps. Key Features Map-based location measurement AI-powered cost estimation Material and labor cost breakdown Supports roofing, fencing and driveway projects Includes demolition cost estimation Export professional PDF reports Fast, simple and easy to use How It Works Search a location Select project type Get instant estimate Export and share as PDF Built for Professionals Perfect for contractors, builders, civil engineers, construction businesses and freelancers. Why Use Ruler Estimate Save hours of manual calculations Improve estimate accuracy Respond to clients faster Present professional reports Coming Soon More project types Improved AI accuracy Team collaboration features Ruler Estimate helps you simplify estimation, save time and grow your business. Download now and start estimating smarter.
PermitTrace
Research recorded property work history across the United States by address. Review permit status, scope, and contractors, and get estimated ages for major home systems. Save and share findings, or scan equipment data plates for more details.
- Search US permit history by address
- Review permit status and scope
- Estimate home system ages
- Scan equipment data plates
- Save and share property findings
- View aerial property context
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Permit searches, made simple. Enter a U.S. property address and explore available building-permit history in one clear, easy-to-read profile. PermitTrace helps home inspectors, buyers, homeowners, real estate professionals, and contractors find records without digging through separate municipality databases. FROM ADDRESS TO ANSWERS • Find an address with autocomplete and search its available permit history. • Review permit numbers, work descriptions, statuses, and dates, plus contractor and valuation details when available. • See estimated roof, HVAC, and water-heater ages based on completed permit records. • View aerial property context, save properties, revisit previous searches, and share findings. • Report a missing permit or incorrect result directly from the app. START WITH A FREE ACCOUNT Use PermitTrace Pitch for live surface slope and angle readings, then save annotated photos to your camera roll. Browse the manual Equipment Library for HVAC and water-heater age references. Neither tool requires a Pro subscription. The welcome screen clearly explains what is free and what is included with Pro. MORE WITH PRO Scan HVAC and water-heater data plates to help determine manufacture dates, or preview room updates from a photo. Photo Equipment Decoder and Room Visualizer require Pro. HVAC Size Estimator — Beta testing gives Pro members a rough estimate of a home’s cooling need. Enter an address for county climate references or choose a climate manually, then answer guided home questions. Review the assumptions and scenario details. This unvalidated screening tool is not a Manual J load calculation or an equipment recommendation. A qualified HVAC professional should complete a full load calculation and confirm equipment sizing. CHOOSE HOW YOU SEARCH Use pay-as-you-go credits or PermitTrace Pro. In the U.S., one report credit is $1.99. Pro is $24.99 per month and includes 50 successful permit searches, 50 equipment photo readings, and 10 room visualizations. Active Pro members can purchase an additional search for $0.99 after using their included allowance. Purchased credits do not expire. Zero-result and repeat unlocked-address searches do not use a credit. See the app for local pricing. Keep your searches organized whether you are checking one home or researching properties throughout the workday. Business users can share an organization's Pro allowance through individual employee accounts. An account is required for live searches and the free tools. Explore the sample profile before signing in. Pro renews automatically unless canceled and can be managed in your Apple subscription settings. IMPORTANT COVERAGE INFORMATION PermitTrace searches available records nationwide, but not every municipality maintains an online database. Coverage and historical depth vary; results may be incomplete. Address spelling differences can also affect results. A no-record result does not prove that no permits exist. Verify important findings with the issuing authority. System ages are estimates based on recorded completed permits, not guarantees of installation date or condition. Equipment dates and room visualizations should be independently confirmed. PermitTrace is an independent research service, not a government agency. Privacy: https://www.getpermittrace.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: PermitTrace at every 3 days against Ruler Estimation's fortnightly. Ruler Estimation's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Ruler Estimation sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $49.99 per month and PermitTrace sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Ruler Estimation against 5.0 for PermitTrace. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Ruler Estimation has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Ruler Estimation ships an update fortnightly, PermitTrace every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ruler Estimation | PermitTrace |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (17 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 17 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 47 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | david borowske | Florida Property Group LLC |
Customer experience
Ruler Estimation
PermitTrace
In-app purchases
Ruler Estimation
- US$49.991 Month
- English (U.S.)$99.991 Month
- English (U.S.)$149.991 Month
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- US$469.001 Year
- English (U.S.)$499.991 Month
- English (U.S.)$949.991 Year
- English (U.S.)$999.991 Year
PermitTrace
- PermitTrace Pro$24.991 Month
- 1 Permit Report Credit$1.99
Questions
Is Ruler Estimation free?
Is PermitTrace free?
Which has better reviews, Ruler Estimation or PermitTrace?
Do Ruler Estimation or PermitTrace have ads?
Which is updated more often, Ruler Estimation or PermitTrace?
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