Comparison

Piping DataBase vs HydroCalc Basic

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

Head to head
About

Piping DataBase

This app provides a mobile reference for pipe flange specifications, including dimensions, bolt details, and types. It's designed for professionals and students in industries like oil & gas and petrochemicals, offering unit conversion between US Customary and SI.

Highlights
  • Pipe flange specifications
  • Large diameter flange support
  • Multiple flange types
  • Bolt count, diameter, and length
  • Raised Face (RF) and Ring Type Joints (RTJ)
  • US Customary and SI unit conversion
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

A handy mobile reference tool for Piping Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Designers, Draftsmen, Pipe Fitters, Students and more for the Oil & Gas Industry, Petrochemical & Manufacturing Plants as well as Design Engineering Consulting Companies. This application covers the B16.5 & B16.47 Pipe Flanges (in-app purchase) - another Piping DataBase series. User interface is presented in an easy one page set up, interchangeable to both US Customary Units and SI Units by scrolling the pickers and touching the button switch. Features: *** Pipe Flanges in all class ratings*** ***including large diameter flanges (26" ~ above)[ in-app purchase - B16.47]*** *** Welding Neck, Threaded, Lapped, Blind, Slip-On & Socket Welding*** *** including no. of bolts, bolt diameter & length *** *** Raised Face (RF) & Ring Type Joints (RTJ) *** Note: More piping components at Piping DataBase – Xtreme: includes Pipe Schedules, Fittings, Valves, Line Blanks, Branch Connections and Flanges. All in one app!

About

HydroCalc Basic

Features
Read full description

Pipe Headloss Calculator provides engineers, designers, and students with powerful tools for pipeline hydraulic analysis — without the hassle of complex manual computations. Whether you’re sizing new pipelines or analyzing existing systems, the app delivers rapid, accurate results. Key Features Automatic Unit Conversion – Seamlessly switch between US Customary and SI units for length, flow, and diameter. Pipeline-Specific Inputs – Enter pipeline length, flow rate, internal diameter, and pipe material. Powerful Inverse Calculator – Set a target head loss and calculate the required diameter, flow, or length. Instantly view flow velocity, friction head loss, fitting losses, and full system curve data. With a clean interface and fast performance, this app is designed to save time and improve accuracy in hydraulic calculations — from the classroom to the field.

Screenshots

Piping DataBase4 screens
HydroCalc Basic4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HydroCalc Basic at Free against Piping DataBase's $3.99. HydroCalc Basic also leads on update cadence (every 11 days vs every 3 months). Piping DataBase's advantage is chart position (#184 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.1). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

HydroCalc Basic is free to download; Piping DataBase costs $3.99 up front. Piping DataBase sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and HydroCalc Basic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Piping DataBase ships an update every 3 months, HydroCalc Basic every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on September 4, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Piping DataBase versus HydroCalc Basic: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPiping DataBaseHydroCalc Basic
Price$3.99Free — better
Rating2.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#184 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB35 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRadin AlciraTransparent Blue Water LLC

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Piping DataBase

One-time1
  • Flanges B16.47$1.99
1 purchases

HydroCalc Basic

One-time1
  • Premium - Flow Units & Ad-Free$1.99

Questions

Is Piping DataBase free?
Piping DataBase costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is HydroCalc Basic free?
HydroCalc Basic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Piping DataBase or HydroCalc Basic have ads?
Neither Piping DataBase nor HydroCalc Basic shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Piping DataBase or HydroCalc Basic?
Piping DataBase ships an update every 3 months, and HydroCalc Basic every 11 days. Most recently, Piping DataBase was updated on September 4, 2026 and HydroCalc Basic on September 8, 2026.

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