Comparison

Magnetic Sensor vs Stair Stringer Calculator Pro

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

Head to head
About

Magnetic Sensor

Features
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Magnetic Sensor turns your phone's built-in magnetometer into three precise tools: β€’ Compass β€” A live, tilt-compensated compass with cardinal direction (N/E/S/W) and adjustable magnetic declination so the needle points to true north, not just magnetic north. β€’ Metal Detector β€” Set a baseline reading anywhere, choose Low/Med/High sensitivity, and feel haptic pulses that get stronger as the field deviates. Perfect for finding studs in a wall, screws under drywall, or rebar in concrete. β€’ Field Logger β€” Record samples at up to 60 Hz, then export to CSV via the share sheet. Saved recordings stay in the app for replay or re-export. KEY FEATURES β€’ Live X / Y / Z axis readings + total field magnitude β€’ Tilt-compensated heading using the accelerometer β€’ Magnitude history sparkline + multi-channel chart β€’ Rolling statistics: mean, standard deviation, RMS, range β€’ Figure-8 calibration helper with quality indicator β€’ Min / Max tracking with one-tap reset β€’ Three sample rates: Slow (500 ms), Normal (100 ms), Fast (16 ms) β€’ Light / Dark / System theme β€’ English and Korean β€’ Unit options: ΞΌT, mGauss, nT β€’ Adjustable smoothing β€’ Magnetic declination presets β€’ Haptic alerts for the detector β€’ Keep-screen-awake while recording β€’ CSV export with full timestamp + per-axis data PRIVACY All sensor data is processed on-device and never leaves your phone. The app does not collect location, contacts, or personal information. Anonymous mobile advertising is used to keep the app free; you can watch a rewarded ad to unlock unlimited CSV sharing for the session. WHO IT'S FOR β€’ Hobbyists exploring magnetic fields β€’ DIYers detecting screws, studs, and rebar β€’ Students collecting data for physics or geology projects β€’ Hikers wanting a reliable phone compass β€’ Anyone curious about the invisible field around them REQUIREMENTS A device with a magnetometer (most phones built since ~2013). The app cannot work on devices without one β€” it will tell you on launch.

About

Stair Stringer Calculator Pro

Features
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Stair Stringer Calculator lays out a straight flight of stairs from three measurements and tells you how to cut the stringers β€” in carpenter's fractions, not decimals. Enter the total rise, the tallest riser you'll accept and your tread depth. You get the riser count and exact riser height, the tread count, total run, stringer length and stair angle, plus a to-scale drawing of the cut stringer. CUT IT RIGHT β€’ Riser height is rounded so it never exceeds your maximum β€’ The first riser cut is dropped by your tread thickness, so every finished step is equal β€’ Framing square settings and the step-off distance along the board edge β€’ Notch depth and the solid wood left under the notches (throat) for a 2x10, a 2x12 or any board depth β€’ How many stringers to cut for your stair width, and their spacing β€’ Type measurements the way you read a tape: 108 1/2, 9' 0-1/2", 7 3/4 CHECK IT BEFORE YOU CUT Every layout is checked, and the result shows what passed, not only what failed: β€’ IRC R311.7: maximum riser 7-3/4", minimum tread 10", maximum rise of one flight 151", minimum width 36", nosing and handrail requirements β€’ AWC DCA 6 deck-stair stringer limits: at least 5" of throat, a 6'-0" maximum span for cut stringers, stringers no more than 18" on center β€’ The stride rule 2R + T for a comfortable stair (24–25 in; 590–650 mm per DIN 18065 when you work in millimeters) FULL CUT LIST AND PDF β€’ Height, run and board-edge mark for every step β€’ A PDF layout sheet with the drawing, cut list and code check for your crew or inspector β€’ Unlimited history: reopen any saved layout with its drawing and checks INCHES OR MILLIMETERS Switch units any time. Inch results read like a tape measure, to the nearest 1/16". WORKS THE WAY YOU DO β€’ All calculations run on your device β€” no account or sign-in required. β€’ Calculations and saved history work offline on the job site β€’ No ads. Usage reporting can be turned off in Settings β€’ The app sends verified purchase records and feedback you choose to submit β€’ English and Spanish interface SIMPLE PRICING The calculation, drawing and code check are free, and the free version keeps your 10 most recent layouts. One in-app purchase unlocks the full cut list, PDF export and unlimited history. No subscription. The formula sources are listed in the app: IRC 2021 Section R311.7, AWC DCA 6-15 Figures 28–29, and the stride rule. This app is a layout aid; always verify against the building code in force at your job site.

Screenshots

Magnetic Sensor4 screens
Stair Stringer Calculator Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Magnetic Sensor at none against Stair Stringer Calculator Pro's 1. Magnetic Sensor also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). Stair Stringer Calculator Pro's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Stair Stringer Calculator Pro sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Magnetic Sensor asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magnetic Sensor ships an update fortnightly, Stair Stringer Calculator Pro every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences Β· 3 level
Magnetic Sensor versus Stair Stringer Calculator Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagnetic SensorStair Stringer Calculator Pro
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyFortnightly β€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPod β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.1 β€” better17.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size25 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSeonggon Sim京昌 ι™ˆ

In-app purchases

None

Magnetic Sensor

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Stair Stringer Calculator Pro

One-time1
  • Stair Stringer Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Magnetic Sensor free?
Magnetic Sensor is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Stair Stringer Calculator Pro free?
Stair Stringer Calculator Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Magnetic Sensor or Stair Stringer Calculator Pro have ads?
Magnetic Sensor shows ads; Stair Stringer Calculator Pro does not.
Which is updated more often, Magnetic Sensor or Stair Stringer Calculator Pro?
Magnetic Sensor ships an update fortnightly, and Stair Stringer Calculator Pro every 3 weeks. Most recently, Magnetic Sensor was updated on October 30, 2026 and Stair Stringer Calculator Pro on October 21, 2026.

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