News, reviews and resources for hand and power tool users
Apps for Tradespeople, Contractors & Woodworkers
There are a phenomenal number of apps for Smartphones and tablet
computers. We've made it a lot easier for you to find the right app to help you
improve your efficiency, increase your productivity, and boost your bottom line.
Rather than having to search various web sites for apps, we've gathered
them here - well, most of the apps that we think are useful.
If you are looking for additional apps other than what are listed here, check
out the following sources:
| Your Operating System: | APP Source: | |
 |
Apple iOS |
App Store (Canada) App Store (USA) |
 |
Blackberry OS |
Blackberry App World (Canada) Blackberry App World (USA) |
 |
Android OS | Android Market |
Let us know if you have a favorite app that you would like to share with our readers.
| Name | $ | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
CabinetMaker FDM (Android) CabinetMaker FDM (iPad) Read CabinetMakerFDM magazine in a mobile format - for professional woodworkers and wood products manufacturers, appealing to everyone from one-man shops to large production facilities. |
Free | Magazine |
 |
LinkedIn Mobile (all devices) Mobile connection to your LinkedIn network. |
Free | Networking |
 |
Bubble Level Pro (Blackberry) Bubble/spirit level. |
.99 | Level |
 |
Clinometer (iPad) XClinometer (Android) Bubble/spirit level. |
.99 Free |
Level |
 |
Baluster Pro (Android) Makes calculating spacing of handrail balusters a quick and easy task. Can be used for any job requiring equal spacing between boards or slats. Inch and Metric |
2.93 | Calculator |
 |
Box Fill Pro (iPhone) Box Fill Pro (Android) An easy to use app that calculates "Box Fill" requirements for an electrical wiring box. |
.99 Free |
Electrical |
 |
Builder's Helper (iPad) Advanced, feature-rich, intuitive & user-friendly construction app. |
14.99 | Construction |
 |
CamCard (iPad) A business card reader with high recognition accuracy. Take a picture of a business card and CamCard recognizes the contact information and saves it. |
6.99 | Business Card Reader |
 |
Canvas
(iPad, Blackberry, Android) A wide range of business and productivity apps- download the app, store data on the Canvas server so that you can access it anywhere, anytime. |
From $20/mth | Cloud based |
 |
Carpenter's Helper Lite (iPad) An advanced construction calculator, capable of handling even the most demanding construction projects. Easy-to-use layout & features. |
Free | Calculator |
 |
Construction Master Pro (iPad) The official Construction Master® Pro from Calculated Industries - an advanced construction math calculator. |
19.99 | Calculator |
 |
Concretulator (iPad) Calculates your project down to the cubic yard and the number of 40#, 60#, and 80# bags you will need. You can also save the project and open it while shopping in your local home store. |
.99 | Calculator |
 |
Contractor's App Box (iPad) Features the most commonly used forms in the construction industry. Complete your paperwork in the field for rapid distribution to the office, clients and consultants, saving time and money while monitoring the project. |
11.99 | Form Filling |
 |
Electrical Wiring Pro (Android) Dozens of electrical code & design features for working professionals. |
3.95 | Electrical |
 |
Electrician Pro (iPad) Features tools needed to manage your clients, appointments, projects, products, services, time tracking, estimates, invoices, and point-of-sale. Requires no Internet access or desktop software, you control everything from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch! |
19.99 | Customer Management |
 |
Evernote -
iPad
Blackberry
Android Helps you remember anything and everything that happens in your life. From notes to ideas to snapshots to recordings, put it all into Evernote and watch as it instantly synchronizes from your smartphone or tablet to your Mac or Windows desktop. |
Free | Note Taker |
 |
XpenseTracker (iPad) All-inclusive expense tracking and reporting application for anyone wishing to track their expenses & mileage. |
4.99 | Expense Tracker & Mileage Log |
 |
Gauge (iPad) Universal database containing the most common gauge standards in use across the world. Thickness, Wire Area, Mils & Cir Mils, Strip Side Area per unit length, Flat volume per unit area |
Free | Calculator |
 |
Genius Scan (iPad) Turns your iPhone into a pocket scanner. It enables you to quickly scan documents on the go and email the scans as JPEG or PDF. |
Free | Scanner |
 |
Home Builder Pocket Reference (iPad) Puts home construction information you need to know at your finger tips. Includes over 500 illustrations and 30 calculators to help you understand and apply the information. |
1.99 | Construction |
 |
gUnit: Unit & Currency Converter (iPad) An intuitive unit and currency converter that provides lightning fast results. Holds more than 330 units and currencies. |
1.99 | Unit/Currency Converter |
 |
HandyMan Sidekick (iPad) For managing a handful of common around-the-house project calculations - Dry Wall, Paint, Flooring, Wallpaper, Garden mulch. |
1.99 | DIY |
 |
The Home Depot (iPad) Research and purchase from over 245,000 products, check store inventory, scan QR and UPC codes. |
Free | Retail |
 |
Home Improvement Tools (iPad) Calculators for drywall, paint, carpeting, floor tiles, concrete, brick, mulch |
.99 | Calculator |
 |
HoursTracker - Time Sheet (iPad) Keep track of your time and earnings. Track time by entering in punch times manually. View earnings (even overtime) in the app, or export via e-mail in text or CSV format. |
2.99 | Time Tracker |
 |
I.D. Wood (iPhone) Pocket Guide to Woods from around the world with full screen samples and detailed information for over 200 different woods. |
4.90 | Wood Identification |
 |
iHandy Carpenter -
iPad
Android Consists of a plumb bob, surface level, bubble level bar, steel protractor, and steel ruler |
1.99 | Construction |
 |
iQuick
Estimator (iPad) Estimates Flooring, Drywall, Paint, Concrete, Roofing and Framing. |
4.99 | Construction |
 |
iTimeClock Lite (iPad) Allows you to track the number of hours you work on a project. |
Free | Time Tracking |
 |
MiniBooks for FreshBooks (iPad) Puts the popular web invoicing software FreshBooks in the palm of your hand. Manage clients, send invoices, run timers, and record payments. Plus, MiniBooks fully synchronizes with your FreshBooks account. |
14.99 | Accounting |
 |
Penultimate (iPad) Powerful, easy-to-use handwriting app for iPad. Fast, tactile gratification of writing on paper, with digital power and flexibility. Take notes, keep sketches, or share your next breakthrough idea |
.99 | Note Taker |
 |
Pocket Informant (iPad) A fully integrated Calendar and Task solution for your iPhone/iPod Touch The addition of a full-featured Notes tab, and complete Contact management eliminate the need to ever look elsewhere for your organizational purposes. |
12.99 | Personal Information Manager |
 |
Project Quote Estimate (iPad) Create professional PDF quotes. Use 19 different calculators and estimators to estimate materials and costs, including paint, drywall, staircase, roofing. |
4.99 | Calculator |
 |
Ridgid Digital Level -
Android
iPhone
Blackberry Features three vials for plumb, level and 45° miter. There is an optional sound feature that allows you to audibly determine your results for situations when you cannot view the screen. |
Free | Level |
 |
Roofing Calculator PRO (iPad) For roofing contractors and sales people to quickly estimate roofing cost, roof size, and roofing materials amount and prices. |
19.99 | Calculator |
 |
Shoeboxed (iPad) The easiest way to keep track of receipts and generate expense reports. |
Free | Accounting |
 |
Smart Cutter (iPad) Allows you to find the optimal cut layout of a large sheet cut into smaller pieces with minimum scrap. Just enter the large and small sheet dimensions, and the tool will generate the optimal cut layout diagram. You can email the generated output image, or save it into your Photos Album. |
1.99 | Layout Tool |
 |
Square (iPad) Accept credit cards on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch. It's only 2.75% per swipe for Visa, American Express, MasterCard and Discover. No contracts, monthly fees or merchant accounts. Funds are deposited into your bank account the next day. |
Free | Accounting |
 |
Stanely Level (iPad) Turns your iPhone or iPad into a level. |
Free | Level |
 |
SugarSync (iPad) Puts all of your data from all of your computers right at your fingertips…anytime, anywhere from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. |
Free | Networking |
 |
TaskTask HD (iPad) Synchronizes with most Exchange servers to keep your tasks in sync between your mobile device and Outlook. Note: an Exchange Server account is required to synchronize tasks between Outlook and TaskTask HD. It is not compatible with Gmail, Comcast, or other non-Exchange e-mail accounts. |
4.99 | Task Management |
 |
Task This (iPad) Allows you to manage individual tasks or tasks grouped in project. Your contacts can be associated to your project. Each project can also have one or several budgets or shopping lists: |
Free | Task Manager |
 |
Things (iPad) An intuitive task manager. Effortlessly manage to-dos, notes, due dates, and projects. A smart today list and the scheduling feature allow you to work as effectively as possible - every day. |
19.99 | To-Do |
 |
TSheets
(Smartphones) Time tracking, management and reporting app for Smartphone users, |
From $10/mth | Time Tracking |
 |
Wood Beam Calculator (Android) A Structural Engineering application for Engineers, Architects or Contractors to size wood members. Checks stress and deflection. |
Free | Calculator |
 |
Wood Joist Calculator (Android) A Structural Engineering application for Engineers, Architects or Contractors to size wood joists. Checks stress and deflection. |
Free | Calculator |
 |
WoodworkerCalc (iPad) Fraction calculator that tracks errors that can accumulate during layout. Calculations are displayed on tapes which can be saved and restored. There is also a panel for doing triangle based calculations. |
.99 | Calculator |
 |
The Wood Whisperer -
iPad
Android A companion app for the woodworking community at TheWoodWhisperer.com. |
Free | Information |
 |
The Woodshop Widget (iPad) A collection of wood-related utilities, ranging from board volume calculation to shellac mixing aids, and squareness testing, |
3.99 | General Utilities |
