SmartPIV vs Airfoil Design
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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/
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.
- NACA airfoil generation
- Real-time aerodynamic analysis
- Airfoil import from database
- Custom mesh generation
- CFD simulation engine
- Streamlines and CP vector visualization
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
SmartPIV ships an update every 7 months, Airfoil Design every 10 days. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.
| Parameter | SmartPIV | Airfoil Design |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 3.9 (19 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 62.5% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 122 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Patrick Maeder | Charles Bilodeau-Berube |
Customer experience
SmartPIV
Airfoil Design
In-app purchases
SmartPIV
No in-app purchases
Airfoil Design
No in-app purchases









