# SmartPIV vs Epicycles

The clearest difference is update cadence: Epicycles at every 5 days against SmartPIV's every 7 months. SmartPIV's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for SmartPIV against 5.0 for Epicycles. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

SmartPIV ships an update every 7 months, Epicycles every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SmartPIV | Epicycles |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartpiv/id1471308387/reviews) | [5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epicycles/id6450433959/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 2 |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 35 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Patrick Maeder](https://appshunter.io/developer/1122594621) | [Limit Point Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/377981570) |

## What reviewers say

### SmartPIV

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smartpiv/id1471308387)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Epicycles

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/epicycles/id6450433959)

Explore the visualization of complex Fourier series through interactive epicycles. Create and analyze approximations of parametric curves and complex functions. Save animations and export custom terms for later use.

**Highlights:** Visualize Fourier series of 2D functions, Create epicycles from drawn curves, Save custom terms to documents, Export animations as GIFs, Adjust time and number of terms, Interactive graphic elements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SmartPIV free?

SmartPIV is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Epicycles free?

Epicycles is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, SmartPIV or Epicycles?

SmartPIV and Epicycles are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.

### Do SmartPIV or Epicycles have ads?

Neither SmartPIV nor Epicycles shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SmartPIV or Epicycles?

SmartPIV ships an update every 7 months, and Epicycles every 5 days. Most recently, SmartPIV was updated on October 17, 2026 and Epicycles on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*