StairSmith vs CutList Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Live elevation diagram
- Print-ready PDF reports
- Building code compliance checks
- Framing square layout diagrams
- Lumber and cut sheet generation
- Supports multiple building codes
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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
CutList Pro
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CutList Pro is a cut list optimizer for plywood, MDF, and dimensional lumber. Turn your parts list into cutting layouts that account for grain and saw kerf, reduce waste, and simplify saw setups. Built for the shop floor: fraction-native input (type 30 1/4 as easily as you'd say it), true guillotine layouts a table saw can actually execute, and grain direction handled correctly on every part. TWO WAYS TO OPTIMIZE • Least waste — classic sheet nesting that squeezes your parts into fewer sheets • Fewest setups — groups rips by width so you dial the fence once, not nine times WHAT YOU GET • Exact tape-measure fractions (1/8, 1/16, 1/32) and full metric support • Grain direction locked per part, with arrows on the diagram • Kerf-aware math — every cut accounts for your blade • Per-sheet cut diagrams with pinch-zoom, labels, and offcut tracking • An ordered cut sequence you can follow at the saw • PDF cut plans: diagrams, cut list, and printable part labels • Sheet goods AND dimensional lumber (board) modes • Works 100% offline. No account. No ads. WORKSHOP TOOLBOX Use the board foot calculator to estimate lumber volume and cost. Calculate fractions, shelf and slat spacing, panel subdivisions, picture frames, and edge banding. Add generated parts and shop notes to a project. Measure twice, cut once — and let the math find the layout. https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: CutList Pro at Free against StairSmith's $6.99. StairSmith's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On update cadence, 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
CutList Pro is free to download; StairSmith costs $6.99 up front. CutList Pro sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. StairSmith asks for nothing beyond the download.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | StairSmith | CutList Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $6.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 days | Every 3 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Taylor Cascino | Massive Interface LLC |
In-app purchases
StairSmith
No in-app purchases
CutList Pro
- CutList Pro Monthly$5.991 Month
- CutList Pro Annual$39.991 Year









