Comparison

StairSmith vs CutListPro

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

Head to head
About

StairSmith

This app calculates stair dimensions, checks building codes, and generates cut lists for builders and DIYers. It provides live diagrams, lumber information, and framing square layouts, all without requiring an account or subscription. The tool is designed for efficiency at the workbench and offers print-ready PDFs.

Highlights
  • Live elevation diagram
  • Print-ready PDF reports
  • Building code compliance checks
  • Framing square layout diagrams
  • Lumber and cut sheet generation
  • Supports multiple building codes
Features
Read full description

The stair calculator built for builders and DIYers. Type your total rise. StairSmith equalizes the risers, draws the elevation diagram live, runs the building-code checks, and tells you what to cut instantly. No account, no cloud, no subscription. HERO FEATURES • Live elevation diagram — pinch, pan, tap any dimension to learn what it means. • Cut Sheet hero — riser height, code going, riser count, stringer length. Take it to the saw. • Lumber cheat sheet — number of stringers, treads, and risers, with stringer length rounded to the next standard 2×12. • Framing-square layout — "set tongue at 7", blade at 10"" with a beautiful, printable diagram on page 2 of every PDF. • Code compliance built in — IRC 2021, IBC 2021, NBC 2020, UK Part K, and Australia NCC. Pass/fail on riser, going, 2R+T, and headroom. Free handrail and guard reminders. • Print-ready PDF — elevation diagram, cut list, lumber list, framing-square layout, and disclaimer. AirDrop, email, or print directly. DESIGNED FOR THE SHOP StairSmith is built around the moment you're at the workbench, sawdust on your glasses, trying to remember what number to mark. Open the "Show at Saw" sheet — the diagram fills your screen, with the two numbers you need in giant monospace type. Slide the framing square down the board, mark, repeat. WHY ONE-TIME PURCHASE Every other stair calculator on the App Store is either subscription-hostile or ad-ridden. StairSmith is a one-time purchase. Yours forever. No upsells, no nag screens, no "Pro" tier locked behind a paywall. FOR DIY HOMEOWNERS First time building a flight of stairs? Tap the (i) on Total Rise and you'll get a 3-sentence explanation of how to measure it correctly so your stairs don't end up an inch off. Tap any "Cut Number" on the Cut Sheet hero to learn what it means. The app teaches you while you use it. FOR PROS Switch between IRC, IBC, NBC, Part K, and NCC with a tap. Switch between imperial (with fractional input) and metric (mm) instantly. Save unlimited projects locally. The PDF cut sheet is dense, professional, and ready to hand a permit reviewer or a trade partner. PRIVACY StairSmith collects nothing. No account, no cloud, no analytics, no tracking, no ads. Your projects live only on your device. NOT INCLUDED IN v1.0 (coming): multi-flight stairs, winders, landings, and isometric view. Today it's straight single-flight stairs only, done extremely well. Built in California, by a builder who got tired of subscription tools that disrespect their users. Questions: support@cascinobuilders.com

About

CutListPro

Features
Read full description

Stop wasting money on leftover materials! CutListPro is the ultimate offline 1D and 2D cut list optimizer built specifically for woodworkers, cabinet makers, framers, plumbers, and metal fabricators. Whether you are cutting 2x4s, aluminum extrusions, PVC pipes, or full sheets of 3/4" plywood, CutListPro calculates the most efficient cutting patterns in seconds—saving you hundreds of dollars in raw materials and hours of manual math on every project. WHY TRADESPEOPLE CHOOSE CUTLISTPRO: • 100% Offline Engine: Job sites and basement workshops rarely have good cellular service. CutListPro runs all mathematical optimization directly on your device. Zero lag, zero cloud delay, and works everywhere. • 1D & 2D Smart Nesting: Handles linear stock (lumber, pipe, steel bars) and sheet goods (plywood, MDF, drywall, sheet metal) using advanced industrial algorithms (Best-Fit Decreasing & Guillotine Best-Short-Side-Fit). • "Wood Bank" Scrap Manager: Stop letting usable offcuts pile up! Photograph or manually log your leftover scraps from past jobs. CutListPro automatically exhausts your scrap inventory before recommending you buy new stock. • Kerf & Trim Adjustment: Set your exact saw blade width (kerf) and edge-trim cleanup requirements so every cut layout matches reality on the shop floor. WORKSHOP-READY EXPORTS: Take your cut lists from your phone straight to the shop floor: • Visual Cut Diagrams: Color-coded, easy-to-read layout diagrams for each individual board or sheet. • Printable PDF Cut Sheets: Generate clean job summaries to hand off to crew members, helpers, or clients. • Avery QR Code Labels: Print stickers for every cut piece with custom labels and QR codes for seamless part identification on the job site. • CNC & Plasma Ready: Export DXF or G-code files directly to your CNC router or plasma table for automated cutting. BUILT-IN OFFLINE TRADE CALCULATORS: CutListPro isn't just an optimizer—it's an all-in-one jobsite companion equipped with 5 built-in trade calculators: Board Feet Calculator: Instant volume and material cost estimations. Stair Stringer Layout: Quick rise/run and stringer math. Miter & Compound Miter Angles: Precise crown molding and complex angle cuts. Stud & Joist Spacing: On-center layout marks made simple. Circle & Arc Geometry: Exact measurements for curved cuts and rounded corners. JOB MANAGEMENT & PRICE TRACKING: • Client & Job Organization: Attach client names, project locations, and custom notes to every job sheet. • Material Price Trends: Track what you pay for lumber and stock over time. View interactive sparkline charts to see if material prices are trending up or down before quoting your next project. DESIGNED FOR EVERY CRAFT: • Woodworkers & Cabinet Makers: Optimize sheet nesting, edge banding, and hardwood yield. • Framers & Carpenters: Layout studs, joists, and rafter stock with zero wasted offcuts. • Metal Fabricators & Welders: Cut square tubing, angle iron, and sheet metal efficiently. • Plumbers & Electricians: Minimize scrap when cutting conduit, PVC, and copper pipe. SIMPLE, TRANSPARENT PRICING: • Free Tier: Fully functional for smaller jobs and basic cut lists with zero intrusive ads! • Pro Tier ($4.99/mo or $29.99 Lifetime): Unlock unlimited cut entries, PDF exports, QR label printing, DXF/G-code export, Wood Bank scrap tracking, and cloud backup sync. Stop guessing. Stop overbuying material. Download CutListPro today and build smarter! EULA Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

StairSmith4 screens
CutListPro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: CutListPro at Free against StairSmith's $6.99. StairSmith's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

CutListPro is free to download; StairSmith costs $6.99 up front. CutListPro sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. StairSmith asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
StairSmith versus CutListPro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStairSmithCutListPro
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.016.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB60 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTaylor CascinoSAMUEL TYLER REED

In-app purchases

None

StairSmith

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

CutListPro

Subscriptions1
  • CutListPro - Monthly$2.991 Month
One-time1
  • CutListPro - Lifetime$19.99

Questions

Is StairSmith free?
StairSmith costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is CutListPro free?
CutListPro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do StairSmith or CutListPro have ads?
Neither StairSmith nor CutListPro shows ads.

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