# iBeams vs Auto RC

The clearest difference is rating: Auto RC at 4.5 against iBeams's 3.5. Auto RC also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 17 months) and review sentiment (75% vs 53%). iBeams's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Auto RC sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. iBeams asks for nothing beyond the download.

Auto RC holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of iBeams's written reviews are positive against 75% of Auto RC's.

iBeams ships an update every 17 months, Auto RC every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and August 31, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iBeams | Auto RC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibeams/id398882202/reviews) | **[4.5 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/auto-rc-structural-design/id6451228272/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **6** |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 5 MB | 75 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Norm Schuster](https://appshunter.io/developer/398882205) | [vachiraphun mekvarmdee](https://appshunter.io/developer/1697257272) |

## What reviewers say

### 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


### Auto RC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/auto-rc-structural-design/id6451228272)

This app transforms structural design into a superpower by automatically generating beam layouts from floor plans using AI. It offers tools for analyzing and designing structural elements, with advanced features for full building modeling and detailed exports available through a subscription.

**Highlights:** AI-powered floor plan scanning, Automatic beam layout generation, 3D rebar detailing, Full building structural modeling, 3D structural analysis, Exportable calculation reports and CAD plans

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| สมัครสมาชิกรายเดือน | $9.99 | per month |
| สมัครสมาชิกรายปี | $99.99 | per year |
| Export IFC model file | $2.99 | one-time |
| Export structural model file | $2.99 | one-time |
| สมัครสมาชิกแบบไม่ต่ออายุ | $4.99 | one-time |
| Export structural model file | $4.99 | one-time |
| Export structural model file | $7.99 | one-time |
| Export structural model file | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iBeams free?

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

### Is Auto RC free?

Auto RC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, iBeams or Auto RC?

Auto RC is rated higher. iBeams averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Auto RC averages 4.5 from 6 ratings.

### Do iBeams or Auto RC have ads?

Neither iBeams nor Auto RC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iBeams or Auto RC?

iBeams ships an update every 17 months, and Auto RC every 3 weeks. Most recently, iBeams was updated on September 18, 2026 and Auto RC on August 31, 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.*