iBeams vs CRSI Rebar Reference
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iBeams
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.
- Beam and load configuration display
- Reaction, shear, moment, deflection diagrams
- Editable load values
- Editable geometric values
- Structural engineering analysis
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iBeams is a tool for structural engineers. The app displays various beam and load configurations along with the corresponding reaction, shear, moment, and deflection diagrams. Load and geometric values can be edited.
CRSI Rebar Reference
Access essential data for reinforcing bars (rebar) including specifications, hook details, and marking requirements. This app serves as a quick reference for industry standards and links to online resources.
- ASTM standard reinforcing bar specifications
- Standard hook details (90, 135, 180 degrees)
- Stirrup/tie hook details
- ASTM reinforcing bar marking requirements
- Minimum yield and tensile requirements
- Links to CRSI online resources
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QUICK REFERENCE! This ready reference app from the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute is a handy desk and field resource and includes information on ASTM standard reinforcing bars (rebar), standard hook details, standard stirrup/tie hook details, and ASTM reinforcing bar marking requirements. The app provides standard rebar specifications including sizes, diameters, areas and weights along with 90-, 135- and 180-degree hook details. Minimum yield and minimum tensile requirements per ASTM are also included. Industry standard bar markings for inch-pound rebar is illustrated for grades 40, 50, 60, 75, 80, 100 (A615), 100 (A1035), and 120. Links to the CRSI’s online resources are included.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iBeams at none against CRSI Rebar Reference's 3. iBeams also leads on review sentiment (53% vs 33%) and rating (3.5 vs 3.3). CRSI Rebar Reference's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 17 months) and ratings volume (16 vs 2). On price, ads, monetization model 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. CRSI Rebar Reference sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. iBeams asks for nothing beyond the download.
iBeams holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: CRSI Rebar Reference has 16 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of iBeams's written reviews are positive against 33% of CRSI Rebar Reference's.
iBeams ships an update every 17 months, CRSI Rebar Reference every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iBeams | CRSI Rebar Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) — better | 3.3 (16 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 16 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 51 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Norm Schuster | Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute |
Customer experience
iBeams
CRSI Rebar Reference
In-app purchases
iBeams
No in-app purchases
CRSI Rebar Reference
- CRSI - Rebar Identifier Module$2.99
- CRSI Development Length ACI$4.99
- CRSI Development length AASHTO$4.99
Questions
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Is CRSI Rebar Reference free?
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