iBeams vs AutoCAD IRef
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.
AutoCAD IRef
This app serves as a comprehensive reference guide for AutoCAD 2011 commands. It provides detailed information to help users navigate and utilize the software's features effectively.
- AutoCAD 2011 command reference
- Interactive guide
- Comprehensive companion
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The AutoCAD 2011 Interactive Command Reference is a comprehensive companion reference for AutoCAD 2011.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: iBeams at 53% against AutoCAD IRef's 10%. iBeams also leads on rating (3.5 vs 1.9) and device support (3 vs 1). AutoCAD IRef's advantage is ratings volume (9 vs 2) and iOS requirement (5.1 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iBeams holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 1.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of iBeams's written reviews are positive against 10% of AutoCAD IRef's.
iBeams ships an update every 17 months, AutoCAD IRef every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iBeams | AutoCAD IRef |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (2 ratings) — better | 1.9 (9 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews — better | 10.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 9 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months — better | Every 23 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 5.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Norm Schuster | Digital Cheetah Solutions, Inc. |
Customer experience
iBeams
AutoCAD IRef
In-app purchases
iBeams
No in-app purchases
AutoCAD IRef
No in-app purchases
