Comparison

AWC Connection Calc vs 4 point Inspection

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

Head to head
About

AWC Connection Calc

Calculate capacities for various fasteners in wood connections, including single bolts, nails, and screws. Supports lateral and withdrawal capacities for wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete, and wood-to-steel connections based on 2024 NDS standards.

Highlights
  • Calculate single bolt, nail, lag screw, and wood screw capacities
  • Determine lateral (single and double shear) capacities
  • Calculate withdrawal capacities
  • Supports wood-to-wood connections
  • Supports wood-to-concrete connections
  • Supports wood-to-steel connections
  • Based on 2024 NDS standards
Features
Read full description

Provides users with a mobile approach to calculating capacities for single bolts, nails, lag screws and wood screws per the 2024 NDS. Both lateral (single and double shear) and withdrawal capacities can be determined. Wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete, and wood-to-steel connections are possible. LIMITS OF USE SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS Connection capacities are calculated on the basis of design provisions in the 2024 National Design Specification® for Wood Construction (NDS®). The calculated capacities are based on the following assumptions and conditions: · Bolts and lag screws must meet the requirements of ANSI/ASME B18.2.1, wood screws must meet the requirements of ANSI/ASME B18.6.1, and nails must meet the requirements of ASTM F1667. · Bolts, lag screws and wood screws must be installed in predrilled lead holes in accordance with the provisions of NDS Chapter 11. · Bolts, lag screws and wood screws must not be forcibly driven into connection members with a hammer or other impact device. · The faces of adjacent connection members are brought into contact when fasteners are installed. · Adequate edge distances, end distances and spacing must be provided for all fasteners to prevent splitting of wood connection members, in accordance with NDS Chapter 11. · Steel side plates with thickness of ¼ in. or greater must meet the requirements of ASTM A36, and steel side plates with thickness less than ¼ in. must meet the requirements of ASTM A653, Grade 33. · Concrete connection members must have compressive strength (fc') of at least 2500 psi. · The on-line Connection Calculator does not specifically address multiple-fastener connections. See NDS Chapters 10-11 and NDS Appendix E for applicable design provisions. · The on-line Connection Calculator does not address fasteners installed at an angle to grain (e.g., toe-nails). See NDS Chapters 10-11 for applicable design provisions. · The on-line Connection Calculator does not address fasteners subjected to combined lateral and withdrawal loading. See NDS Chapters 10-11 for applicable design provisions. · The on-line Connection Calculator does not address connections with gaps or non-structural spacer blocks between members. GENERAL STRUCTURAL GUIDELINES The quality of structural wood products and fasteners and the design of load-supporting members and connections shall conform to provisions of the NDS. The on-line Connection Calculator is based on design equations for lateral loading and withdrawal loading specified in NDS Chapters 10 and 11, along with fastener characteristics specified in NDS Appendix L. The NDS Commentary, NDS Appendices I through N, and NDS Chapters 12-13 provide additional guidelines regarding the design of connections in wood structures. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DESIGN While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of the information presented, and special effort has been made to assure that the information reflects the state-of-the-art, neither the American Wood Council nor its members assume any responsibility for any particular design prepared from this on-line Connection Calculator. Those using this on-line Connection Calculator assume all liability from its use. This Connection Calculator is not meant to be a replacement for the NDS and does not encompass all of its design options. The American Wood Council On behalf of the industry it represents, AWC is committed to ensuring a resilient, safe and sustainable built environment. To achieve these objectives, AWC contributes to the development of sound public policies, codes and regulations that allow for the appropriate and responsible manufacture and use of wood products. We support the utilization of wood products by developing and disseminating consensus standards, comprehensive technical guidelines and tools for wood design and construction, as well as providing education regarding their application. Contact AWC via email: info@awc.org or connect with one of AWC’s regional building code experts.

About

4 point Inspection

Features
Read full description

Introducing Home Inspectors Toolbox: The Essential App for Home Inspections Are you a home inspector looking to streamline your workflow and elevate your client experience? Look no further than Home Inspectors Toolbox, the ultimate solution for Four Point Inspections and beyond. With our cutting-edge mobile and web app, you can effortlessly: * Manage your schedule: Keep track of appointments and never miss a beat. * Capture client information: Gather essential details with ease, saving you time and hassle. * Create and send reports: Generate professional, electronically signed Four Point Inspection reports in minutes. Home Inspectors Toolbox not only simplifies Four Point Inspections but also offers a comprehensive suite of inspection forms when you upgrade your subscription, including: * Wind Mitigation * Roof Certification * Commercial Roof Certification * Wind Mitigation Type II and II * Wood Destroying Organisms (WDO) * Veterans Administration Wood Destroying Organisms (VA WDO) * Radon Inspection Our app is designed by home inspectors for home inspectors, ensuring that it meets the specific needs of your profession. With Home Inspectors Toolbox, you'll have everything you need to conduct thorough and efficient Four Point Inspections, leaving your clients impressed and your business thriving. Download Home Inspectors Toolbox today and experience the future of home inspections! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

AWC Connection Calc4 screens
4 point Inspection4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AWC Connection Calc at none against 4 point Inspection's 2. AWC Connection Calc also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 3 weeks). 4 point Inspection's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, 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

Both are free to download. 4 point Inspection sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. AWC Connection Calc asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AWC Connection Calc ships an update weekly, 4 point Inspection every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
AWC Connection Calc versus 4 point Inspection: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAWC Connection Calc4 point Inspection
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.2 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size156 MB50 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperAmerican Wood CouncilBenjamin Martin

In-app purchases

None

AWC Connection Calc

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

4 point Inspection

Subscriptions2
  • Access to one inspection form14 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Unlimited access for one month14 Days trial$24.991 Month

Questions

Is AWC Connection Calc free?
AWC Connection Calc is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is 4 point Inspection free?
4 point Inspection is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AWC Connection Calc or 4 point Inspection have ads?
AWC Connection Calc shows ads; 4 point Inspection does not.
Which is updated more often, AWC Connection Calc or 4 point Inspection?
AWC Connection Calc ships an update weekly, and 4 point Inspection every 3 weeks. Most recently, AWC Connection Calc was updated on September 28, 2026 and 4 point Inspection on October 7, 2026.

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