# iSectionLite vs iBeams

The clearest difference is rating: iBeams at 3.5 against iSectionLite's 2.1. iBeams also leads on update cadence (every 17 months vs every 46 months). iSectionLite's advantage is ratings volume (13 vs 2) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

iBeams holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iSectionLite has 13 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of iSectionLite's written reviews are positive against 53% of iBeams's.

iSectionLite ships an update every 46 months, iBeams every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iSectionLite | iBeams |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.1 (13 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isectionlite/id320141628/reviews) | **[3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibeams/id398882202/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **13** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | **53.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 46 months | **Every 17 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 0 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ahmj](https://appshunter.io/developer/304905561) | [Norm Schuster](https://appshunter.io/developer/398882205) |

## What reviewers say

### iSectionLite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/isectionlite/id320141628)

This engineering app calculates mechanical and structural properties for built-up section members. It supports various international steel shapes and allows input and output in both metric and imperial units.

**Highlights:** Calculates moment of inertia, modulus of section, radius of gyration, area, and weight, Supports European, American, Canadian, and British steel shapes, Input and output in mm or inch units, Calculations in principal axes, Light version with limitations on hot rolled library and flange dimensions

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### iBeams

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibeams/id398882202)

This tool helps structural engineers visualize and analyze beam behavior. It displays reaction, shear, moment, and deflection diagrams for various configurations. Users can edit load and geometric values for custom analysis.

**Highlights:** Beam and load configuration display, Reaction, shear, moment, deflection diagrams, Editable load values, Editable geometric values, Structural engineering analysis

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iSectionLite free?

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

### Is iBeams free?

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

### Which has better reviews, iSectionLite or iBeams?

iBeams is rated higher. iSectionLite averages 2.1 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while iBeams averages 3.5 from 2 ratings.

### Do iSectionLite or iBeams have ads?

Neither iSectionLite nor iBeams shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iSectionLite or iBeams?

iSectionLite ships an update every 46 months, and iBeams every 17 months. Most recently, iSectionLite was updated on October 6, 2026 and iBeams on October 5, 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.*