Flat Metal Patterns vs FabCalc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Flat Metal Patterns
This app simplifies metal pattern creation with precise mathematical calculations, saving time and reducing errors compared to manual methods. It offers various pattern types, unit conversions, and smart calculation features for both experienced professionals and beginners.
- Automated pattern calculation
- 20+ different pattern types
- Diameter-Circumference conversion
- Pipe and insulation reference tables
- Smart calculator for fractions/decimals
- Scale feature for large patterns
Read full descriptionHide full description
Flat Metal Patterns is a metal pattern calculation program that helps us save time making the pattern and avoids possible errors that we may have when drawing the pattern by hand. You can also find products, tools and accessories online for the branch of industrial insulation. This application is aimed at experts, inexperienced and beginners; within the application you can find video tutorials that will guide you through the process of how to use the calculated pattern. For people who are experienced in tracing a pattern by hand, it will help them to avoid mistakes, calculate the pattern in seconds, and thus save time. The pattern calculation program is made based on mathematical calculations and converting those calculations into the pattern that we are used to work with. Inside you can find up to 20 different patterns, as well as Diameter - Circumference calculation, Pipe - Insulation reference tables and a length units calculator. Circumference-Diameter - The application works mainly with circumference values. Additionally, the application accepts diameter values that are converted to circumference. Pipe size - If you have the exact data of a pipe, the application has the ability to determine the exact circumference of the pipe. Smart calculator - Extremely important for specific operations on known fractions and decimals. This means that the calculator accepts the fractions of a conventional tape measure, and returns the results in the same way. Scale - An extremely important feature of the application that makes it easy for us to manufacture large-size patterns in parts. Terms of use: https://flatmetalpatterns.com/terms-and-conditions/
FabCalc
Read full descriptionHide full description
The flat pattern calculator your fab shop needs — cylinders, cone gores, duct wraps, and more. Fully offline. No account. No ads. Stop laying out cone gores by hand on the table. Stop guessing developed length on a duct wrap. FabCalc generates shop-ready flat pattern drawings and 1:1 DXF files for common fabricated shapes. WHAT'S INSIDE • Cylinder wrap — full shell and partial segments • Half-pipe sleeve — 180° cylinder segments • Cone / frustum gore — annular sector with slant length and arc development • Rectangular duct wrap — four-panel strip with bend lines and bend allowance • Live 2D preview — cut profile, bend lines, roll direction, dimensions • DXF export — AutoCAD R12 ASCII, layered (CUT, BEND, ROLL, TEXT), 1:1 scale • PDF job sheet — drawing, inputs, calculated values, notes • Saved jobs — reopen and edit patterns locally WHO IT'S FOR Fabricators, sheet metal workers, pipe fitters, boilermakers, plasma/laser operators, and shop owners who need accurate flat patterns without desktop CAD. FREE vs PRO Free forever: all shape inputs, live preview, calculated values, warnings, and DXF cut-file export. Pro unlocks PDF job sheets and unlimited saved jobs. One-time purchase or subscription. Subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled. Manage in your Apple ID Subscription Settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://doublevision.company/privacy NO ACCOUNT. NO ADS. NO DATA COLLECTION. FabCalc works on the layout table, at the plasma table, in the truck. Everything runs locally.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: FabCalc at weekly against Flat Metal Patterns's every 5 weeks. Flat Metal Patterns's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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. Flat Metal Patterns sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month and FabCalc sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Flat Metal Patterns ships an update every 5 weeks, FabCalc weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Flat Metal Patterns | FabCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (25 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 25 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Freemium | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 135 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ignacio Renteria-Molina | Double Vision USA LLC |
In-app purchases
Flat Metal Patterns
- One month subscription$7.991 Month
- 3 months subscription$19.993 Months
- 6 month subscription$38.996 Months
FabCalc
- FabCalc Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
- FabCalc Pro Yearly$29.991 Year
- Fab Shop Bundle$119.99
- ShopCalc Pro Lifetime$129.99
Questions
Is Flat Metal Patterns free?
Is FabCalc free?
Do Flat Metal Patterns or FabCalc have ads?
Which is updated more often, Flat Metal Patterns or FabCalc?
Other comparisons















