Comparison

Vector Field vs Pixel Wind Tunnel

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

Head to head
About

Vector Field

Visualize mathematical vector fields with animated particles in 2D, 3D, or spherical spaces. Input custom equations and adjust simulation parameters in real-time to explore dynamical systems and mathematical patterns interactively.

Highlights
  • 2D, 3D, and spherical vector field visualization
  • Customizable dx, dy, dz equations
  • Adjustable particle speed, density, and colors
  • Time-dependent field animation
  • Interactive 3D view rotation
  • Real-time rendering powered by Metal
Read full description

Vector Field lets you create and visualize mathematical vector fields with thousands of animated particles. Enter your own equations, adjust the simulation instantly, and watch how particles move through 2D, 3D, or spherical spaces. Whether you are studying differential equations, experimenting with dynamical systems, teaching vector calculus, or simply exploring mathematical patterns, Vector Field turns equations into interactive motion. Features: • Visualize vector fields in 2D, 3D, and on a sphere • Define custom dx, dy, and dz equations using x, y, z, and time t • Use built-in function presets or save your own • Adjust particle speed, density, lifetime, colors, and ranges • Animate time-dependent fields • Normalize vectors to focus on direction • Rotate 3D views interactively • Powered by Metal for smooth real-time rendering • Create, tweak, and discover vector fields directly from your device.

About

Pixel Wind Tunnel

Visualize real fluid dynamics on your device by drawing shapes and simulating their interaction with air or liquid. Explore flow patterns, measure aerodynamic coefficients, and understand physics with real calculations, not approximations.

Highlights
  • Draw custom shapes for simulation
  • Real-time 2D fluid dynamics calculations
  • Multiple visualization modes (velocity, pressure, vorticity, streamlines)
  • Calculate aerodynamic coefficients (drag, lift)
  • Place probes to track fluid properties
  • Adjust simulation parameters (inlet velocity, viscosity)
  • Compare different shape designs
Features
Read full description

Draw a shape. Tap Simulate. Watch real fluid dynamics come alive in pixels. Pixel Wind Tunnel is a 2D fluid simulation app that runs real CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations right on your device. No simplified approximations — the app solves the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using the CIP advection method and Pressure Poisson solver, the same mathematical framework used in professional engineering software. HOW IT WORKS Draw any shape with your finger — airfoils, cars, buildings, anything Tap Simulate Watch the flow develop in real time That's it. Real fluid physics in three steps. SEE THE FLOW Switch between visualization modes to explore different aspects of the physics: • Velocity — where the flow speeds up and slows down • Pressure — high and low pressure regions around your shape • Vorticity — spinning structures and vortex shedding • Streamlines — paths that fluid particles follow MEASURE PERFORMANCE Real-time aerodynamic coefficients calculated from surface pressure and viscous stress integration: • Drag coefficient (Cd) • Lift coefficient (Cl) • Reynolds number Draw two different shapes and compare which one has less drag. Understand why streamlined shapes work better — with real numbers, not guesswork. EXPLORE DEEPER • Place point probes anywhere to track velocity and pressure over time • Scrub through simulation history with the timeline slider • Adjust inlet velocity and viscosity to change flow conditions • Save shapes with screenshots and reload them anytime REAL CALCULATION, NOT AN ANIMATION Every frame you see is computed from the actual Navier-Stokes equations. The CIP (Cubic Interpolated Propagation) method handles advection with minimal numerical diffusion, while the SOR iterative solver resolves the pressure field. Boundary conditions, viscous forces, and flow separation are all physically modeled. FOR CURIOUS MINDS Whether you're a student studying fluid mechanics, an engineer sketching quick ideas, a teacher demonstrating aerodynamics in class, or simply someone who wonders why things are shaped the way they are — draw it and find out.

Screenshots

Vector Field4 screens
Pixel Wind Tunnel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Vector Field at 63% against Pixel Wind Tunnel's 0%. Vector Field also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Vector Field ships an update every 3 months, Pixel Wind Tunnel every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Vector Field versus Pixel Wind Tunnel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVector FieldPixel Wind Tunnel
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews62.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterAd-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB21 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEliott MorgenszternHiroki Kijima

Customer experience

Vector Field

All ratings4 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive62.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative37.5%

Pixel Wind Tunnel

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Vector Field

No in-app purchases

None

Pixel Wind Tunnel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Vector Field free?
Vector Field is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pixel Wind Tunnel free?
Pixel Wind Tunnel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Vector Field or Pixel Wind Tunnel have ads?
Pixel Wind Tunnel shows ads; Vector Field does not.
Which is updated more often, Vector Field or Pixel Wind Tunnel?
Vector Field ships an update every 3 months, and Pixel Wind Tunnel every 7 months. Most recently, Vector Field was updated on October 10, 2026 and Pixel Wind Tunnel on October 22, 2026.

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