Comparison

SmartPIV vs Airfoil Design

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

Head to head
About

SmartPIV

This application allows users to determine flow velocity in a PIV setup, replacing traditional camera and analysis software. It visually displays current analysis results through velocity vectors for easy understanding of flow development. Designed to be simple, mobile, and convenient, it offers a low-cost and intuitive alternative for hands-on training.

Highlights
  • Determine flow velocity in PIV setups
  • Visualize flow with velocity vectors
  • Replaces traditional camera and analysis software
  • Low-cost and intuitive application
  • Mobile and convenient for hands-on training
Features
Read full description

DETERMINE FLOW VELOCITY SmartPIV enables you to determine flow velocity within a PIV setup (particle imaging velocimetry). The expected experimental setup of the PIV System consists of a flow channel and a laser illuminated current enriched with particles. In this setup, SmartPIV replaces the traditional camera and analysis software. VIVID VISUALIZATION VIA VELOCITY VECTORS Current analysis results are graphically displayed via velocity vectors, allowing for an easy retracing of a current's development. SIMPLE, MOBILE AND CONVENIENT In contrast to conventional PIV systems, SmartPIV is low-cost and more intuitive in its application. ABOUT US We are a team of three students and two professors developing this application for hands-on training in the domain of thermodynamics at universities and beyond. If you have feedback or questions about the app, just write us. PRIVACY POLICY & IMPRESS: https://smartpiv.app/impress/

About

Airfoil Design

This application allows users to design and analyze aircraft wing sections using advanced numeric methods and CFD simulations. It offers tools for creating custom airfoil geometries, real-time aerodynamic analysis, and importing existing designs.

Highlights
  • NACA airfoil generation
  • Real-time aerodynamic analysis
  • Airfoil import from database
  • Custom mesh generation
  • CFD simulation engine
  • Streamlines and CP vector visualization
Features
Read full description

Airfoil Design is the ultimate tool for designing and analyzing aircraft wing sections. With advanced numeric methods, custom mesh generation, and real-time aerodynamic analysis, you can create and refine complex airfoil geometries with precision. Our CFD simulation engine accurately solves Euler's equations, providing insights into compressible, non-viscous flows, including shockwave formations. Key Features: - Design Flexibility: Generate and customize airfoil geometries with 4 types: NACA 4-digit, NACA 5-digit, Modified NACA 4-digit, and Modified NACA 5-digit airfoils. - Real-Time Analysis: Adjust airfoil shapes using intuitive sliders and instantly see the impact on aerodynamic coefficients. - Airfoil Import: Easily import existing airfoils from the airfoiltools.com database. - Custom Mesh Generation: Create o-type grid meshes with our built-in generator and export them for use in other applications. - Advanced CFD Simulation: Simulate airflow around your designs with our powerful CFD engine, now featuring touch pan/zoom, streamlines, CP vectors, and second-order solver. Visualize results with the new Coolwarm color map and export them as PDFs. Whether you’re a professional aerospace engineer or a student of aerodynamics, Airfoil Design offers the tools you need to innovate and explore. Download now to start your aerodynamic journey on your iPad or iPhone. Note: The app is continuously being improved, with new features and bug fixes on the way.

Screenshots

SmartPIV4 screens
Airfoil Design4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: SmartPIV at 5.0 against Airfoil Design's 3.9. SmartPIV also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Airfoil Design's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 7 months) and ratings volume (19 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SmartPIV holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Airfoil Design has 19 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SmartPIV ships an update every 7 months, Airfoil Design every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SmartPIV versus Airfoil Design: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmartPIVAirfoil Design
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better3.9 (19 ratings)
Positive reviews—62.5% of reviews
Number of ratings219 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB122 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPatrick MaederCharles Bilodeau-Berube

Customer experience

SmartPIV

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Airfoil Design

All ratings17 ratings
Positive70.6%
Neutral5.9%
Negative23.5%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral6.3%
Negative31.3%

In-app purchases

None

SmartPIV

No in-app purchases

None

Airfoil Design

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is SmartPIV free?
SmartPIV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Airfoil Design free?
Airfoil Design is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, SmartPIV or Airfoil Design?
SmartPIV is rated higher. SmartPIV averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Airfoil Design averages 3.9 from 19 ratings.
Do SmartPIV or Airfoil Design have ads?
Neither SmartPIV nor Airfoil Design shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SmartPIV or Airfoil Design?
SmartPIV ships an update every 7 months, and Airfoil Design every 10 days. Most recently, SmartPIV was updated on November 3, 2026 and Airfoil Design on November 3, 2026.

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