Comparison

iBeams vs Deflection

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Beam and load configuration display
  • Reaction, shear, moment, deflection diagrams
  • Editable load values
  • Editable geometric values
  • Structural engineering analysis
Read full description

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.

About

Deflection

Calculate structural behavior for beams, 2D trusses, and 2D frames. Visualize reaction forces, shear, bending moment, and deflection. Analyze internal stresses along the beam and cross-section.

Highlights
  • Beam, 2D truss, and 2D frame analysis
  • Graphical output of results
  • Internal shear and bending stress calculation
  • 2D frame and truss editor
  • Cross-section editor with automatic calculations
  • Built-in database and quick-start templates
Features
Read full description

Deflection is a powerful, versatile calculator for beams, 2D trusses, and 2D frames. The interface is simple and intuitive, and the graphical output is state-of-the-art. In addition to reaction, shear, bending moment, and deflection results, Deflection also computes internal shear and bending stress along the cross section and along the beam. 2D FRAME AND TRUSS EDITOR The 2D editor is seamlessly integrated with the beam editor. Draw arbitrary frame and truss structures and apply loads and constraints using the same simple interface as for beams. You can visualize results directly within the 2D editor, or you can select a beam and get additional insights. INTERNAL STRESSES Obtain internal bending and shear stress diagrams in addition to shear, bending, and deflection diagrams. The internal stresses can be visualized along the length of the beam as well as along the vertical axis of the cross section using the beam editor. CROSS SECTION EDITOR Edit built-in cross sections. Moment of inertia and area values are automatically calculated and applied to the rest of the beam calculations. MORE FEATURES • The built-in database contains more data for your reference and convenience. • Apply beam self-weight optionally • Unlimited design files • Quick-start templates CONTACT We like to hear from you! Please email contact@ketchep.com if you have any issues, questions, or comments.

Screenshots

iBeams4 screens
Deflection4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iBeams at Free against Deflection's $4.99. Deflection's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 17 months). 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

iBeams is free to download; Deflection costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Deflection holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Deflection has 115 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 74% of Deflection's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iBeams ships an update every 17 months, Deflection every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
iBeams versus Deflection: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriBeamsDeflection
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating3.5 (2 ratings)4.6 (115 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews73.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2115 — better
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB160 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNorm SchusterBlue Ketchep

Customer experience

iBeams

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative13.3%

Deflection

All ratings115 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral4.3%
Negative5.2%
Written reviews91 reviews
Positive73.6%
Neutral8.8%
Negative17.6%

In-app purchases

None

iBeams

No in-app purchases

None

Deflection

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iBeams free?
iBeams is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Deflection free?
Deflection costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iBeams or Deflection?
Deflection is rated higher. iBeams averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Deflection averages 4.6 from 115 ratings.
Do iBeams or Deflection have ads?
Neither iBeams nor Deflection shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iBeams or Deflection?
iBeams ships an update every 17 months, and Deflection every 6 weeks. Most recently, iBeams was updated on November 1, 2026 and Deflection on November 1, 2026.

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