Calibration Control: Windows Licence, No Cloud
- Where it runs:
- Installed Windows software. A cloud-hosted database is a paid add-on.
- Free plan:
- No free plan. A 30-day free trial only.
- Pricing:
- Published. From about $768 for a one-time single-seat licence, plus $200 per extra user; cloud hosting is a $399/year add-on. (From apesoftware.com, seen Jul 2026.)
Below: the full facts, what Calibration Control does well, what to weigh — and how CalibraCore compares if you want a cloud tool you can start on for $0, free forever for 20 instruments.
What is Ape Software?
Calibration Control is calibration and asset management software from Ape Software, a US company in business since 1992. It runs as installed Windows software with a local database, and can use SQL Server or an optional paid cloud-hosted database. It covers calibration scheduling, gage and asset management, and preventive maintenance.
Who it is for: Small and mid-size manufacturers and labs that are comfortable with a Windows desktop tool and a one-time licence. CalibraCore is a different kind of option — a browser-based calibration system with a plan that is free forever, aimed at small teams that want to start fast and pay nothing until they grow.
In short: Ape Software and CalibraCore both manage instrument calibration — CalibraCore adds a free, cloud, no-install way to do it.
CalibraCore vs Ape Software
A fair, side-by-side look. Facts about Ape Software are from their own website, checked 2026-07-08. Prices can change — always confirm on the maker's site before you buy.
| Capability | Ape Software | CalibraCore |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Installed Windows software. A cloud-hosted database is a paid add-on. | Cloud — runs in any web browser, nothing to install. |
| Free plan | No free plan. A 30-day free trial only. | Free forever — up to 20 instruments and 1 team member. |
| Pricing | Published. From about $768 for a one-time single-seat licence, plus $200 per extra user; cloud hosting is a $399/year add-on. (From apesoftware.com, seen Jul 2026.) | Clear plans you can see online, from $10 per month. The free plan stays free. |
| Mobile & devices | Windows desktop; no native mobile app. | Any device with a browser — Windows, Mac or tablet. |
| ISO 9001 & 17025 records | Supports ISO 9000 and ISO 9001 calibration records. | Yes — full history and a due-date schedule for every instrument. |
| Best for | Teams happy with a Windows desktop tool and a one-time licence. | Small teams and startups getting ISO-ready without cost. |
| Licence model | One-time per-seat or concurrent licence; extra users cost more; read-only users are free. | A free plan, then simple monthly or yearly plans. |
| Database | Local MS Access by default; SQL Server or cloud hosting is a paid add-on. | Fully cloud-hosted — nothing for you to run or back up. |
| Updates | You install updates on each Windows machine. | Automatic in the cloud — always the latest version. |
| Free vs trial | A 30-day free trial only. | Free forever, not a trial. |
Why pick CalibraCore over Ape Software?
- CalibraCore runs in your browser. Calibration Control is installed Windows software; cloud access is a paid add-on.
- CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever. Calibration Control offers a 30-day trial only.
- CalibraCore has no per-seat licence. Calibration Control charges per seat from a one-time licence, plus more per extra user.
- CalibraCore updates automatically in the cloud. A desktop tool is updated and backed up by you.
- CalibraCore opens on any device with a browser. Calibration Control needs Windows.
In short: CalibraCore trades a heavy, paid setup for a free, cloud tool small teams can run in minutes.
What does Ape Software do well?
An honest comparison names the other tool's strengths too. Ape Software is a strong product for the right team.
- In business since 1992, with a rich desktop feature set.
- Free read-only users within a paid licence.
- Preventive-maintenance tracking alongside calibration.
- Barcode and RFID support, plus a report designer.
In short: pick Ape Software if you need its depth; pick CalibraCore if you want a free, simple, cloud start.
Things to weigh about Ape Software
These are facts from Ape Software's own website, not opinions. They may or may not matter for your team.
- It is installed Windows software; a cloud database is a paid add-on (about $399/year).
- Licences are per seat from about $768, plus about $200 per extra user.
- There is only a 30-day trial — no permanently free plan.
Who should switch to CalibraCore?
Small teams on a budget
Teams that do not want a paid licence or a sales quote to start. The free plan covers up to 20 instruments at $0.
People who want cloud, not installs
Anyone who would rather open a browser than install and update Windows software on every machine.
Startups going for ISO
New labs or factories that need a clean ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 calibration record from day one, without upfront cost.
How do you move from Ape Software to CalibraCore?
You do not have to re-type your instruments. Export your list to Excel or CSV, then import it into CalibraCore in one upload — even on the free plan.
- 1
Export from Ape Software
Get your instrument list out of Ape Software (or your spreadsheet) as an Excel or CSV file.
- 2
Create a free account
Sign up with your email. No credit card is asked for. Your workspace is ready right away.
- 3
Import your instruments
Upload the file. CalibraCore adds every instrument in one go, with its details.
- 4
Set schedules and go
Give each instrument its interval. CalibraCore builds the due-date calendar and sends alerts.
What you get with CalibraCore
Every core calibration feature is on the free plan — up to 20 instruments and 1 team member, not a stripped-down demo.
- 20 Instruments
- 1 Team Member
- Import instruments in bulk via Excel or CSV file
- Calibration Plan Calendar
- Calibration History Record
- Store's Instrument Movement Activities
- Central Instrument Registry
- Dual Email & Desktop Alerts
- Multi-Sheet Excel Reports
- QMS Header Customization
- Retired Assets Management
- Advanced Analytics Dashboard
- Instrument Price & Asset Value Tracking
What instruments can you track?
Any measuring instrument that needs regular calibration. You add each one, set its interval, and CalibraCore tracks the rest.
Dimensional gauges
Ring, plug, snap and thread gauges, calipers, micrometers, height and bore gauges.
Pressure & temperature
Pressure gauges, transmitters, thermometers, thermocouples and temperature baths.
Electrical & electronic
Multimeters, clamp meters, oscilloscopes, insulation testers and power sources.
Weighing & mass
Balances, weighing scales and reference weights used across the shop floor.
Torque & force
Torque wrenches, force gauges and load cells that drift with heavy use.
Any custom instrument
Add any instrument with your own name, ID and calibration frequency.
Is CalibraCore enough for ISO 9001 & ISO 17025?
Yes. Like Ape Software, CalibraCore keeps the two things every quality standard asks for: a calibration schedule and a full history for every instrument.
ISO 9001
Clause 7.1.5 asks you to identify, calibrate and keep records for monitoring and measuring resources. A live register with due dates and history covers exactly that.
ISO/IEC 17025
Calibration labs must show their reference equipment is itself calibrated and traceable. Track intervals, results and certificates for every instrument in one place.
IATF 16949 (automotive)
Automotive audits check that every gauge has a schedule, a calibration record and a way to recall it if found out of tolerance. CalibraCore keeps all of it per instrument.
In short: CalibraCore gives you the due-date control and audit trail that ISO 9001, ISO 17025 and IATF 16949 all expect.
What are calibration best practices?
Set the right calibration interval
Start with the maker's advice or once a year, then adjust from real history. An instrument used every shift needs checking more often than one used monthly. CalibraCore lets you set a different interval for every instrument.
Keep every certificate and result
Record the date, pass or fail result and certificate number for each calibration. A complete history turns an audit from a scramble into a two-minute lookup.
Act on overdue instruments fast
An overdue instrument should be pulled from use until calibrated. Automatic alerts and a red overdue view mean you catch these before a bad measurement reaches a product.
Have a recall plan for out-of-tolerance tools
If an instrument fails calibration, you may need to review what it measured. Keeping each instrument's usage and history in one system makes that review far quicker.
Frequently asked questions
Is CalibraCore a good Ape Software alternative?
Yes. CalibraCore is cloud calibration management software with a plan that is free forever for up to 20 instruments and 1 team member. It runs in your web browser, keeps ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 records, and needs no install — a simple, low-cost way to move off Ape Software or a spreadsheet.
What is the difference between CalibraCore and Ape Software?
CalibraCore runs in your browser. Calibration Control is installed Windows software; cloud access is a paid add-on. CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever. Calibration Control offers a 30-day trial only. Both track instruments, schedules and calibration history, so the choice comes down to cost, hosting and how big your team is.
Is there a free Ape Software alternative?
Yes. CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever — not a trial — for up to 20 instruments and 1 team member, at $0. You get the calibration calendar, full history and Excel or CSV import with no credit card and no expiry date.
Does CalibraCore support ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 like Ape Software?
Yes. CalibraCore keeps a full calibration history and a clear due-date schedule for every instrument. That record is exactly what an ISO 9001 or ISO 17025 auditor asks to see. You get the same audit-ready trail on the free plan as on paid plans.
Can I move my data from Ape Software to CalibraCore?
Yes. Export your instrument list from Ape Software or your spreadsheet to Excel or CSV, then import it into CalibraCore in one upload — even on the free plan. You keep your existing data and skip re-typing every instrument by hand.
Is Calibration Control cloud-based?
It is installed Windows software. A cloud-hosted database is available as a paid add-on (about $399 a year), but the app itself is not browser-based. CalibraCore runs fully in the cloud, so there is nothing to install on any machine.
How much is Ape Software's Calibration Control?
Published pricing starts around $768 for a one-time single-seat licence, plus about $200 per extra user, as of July 2026. CalibraCore has a plan that is free forever and shows its prices online.
Does Calibration Control have a free version?
It offers a 30-day free trial and free read-only users within a paid licence, but no permanently free plan. CalibraCore's free plan never expires, so a small team can use it at no cost for as long as they like.
Does Calibration Control send calibration-due reminders and support ISO 9001?
Yes. Ape Software's Calibration Control tracks calibration schedules, sends automatic calibration-due email reminders, and supports ISO 9000 and ISO 9001 records. CalibraCore sends due-date email and desktop alerts and keeps ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 ready records — in the browser, with no install and a free plan.
Compare other calibration tools
Facts about Ape Software are taken from their official website, checked on 2026-07-08: Calibration Control pricing, Ape Software. Product names and trademarks belong to their owners. Prices and features can change — confirm on the maker's site.
Try the free Ape Software alternative
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