# iBeams vs StageDocs

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iBeams at none against StageDocs's 2. StageDocs's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 17 months) and iOS requirement (15 vs 17.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StageDocs sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. iBeams asks for nothing beyond the download.

iBeams ships an update every 17 months, StageDocs every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iBeams | StageDocs |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ibeams/id398882202/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **2** | — |
| Positive reviews | **53.3% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 17 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 5 MB | 9 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Norm Schuster](https://appshunter.io/developer/398882205) | [Jameo UG (haftungsbeschraenkt)](https://appshunter.io/developer/1056639330) |

## 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


### StageDocs

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stagedocs/id6737455764)

Calculate bridle and beam properties for rigging applications. Features include interactive geometry adjustment, precise input, and load verification for various truss types. Generate detailed calculation protocols.

**Highlights:** Simple and sloped bridle calculations, Interactive bridle geometry adjustment, Precise value input for positioning, Real-time beam calculation, Load verification for trusses, Calculation protocol export (PDF)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Rigger monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Rigger yearly | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iBeams free?

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

### Is StageDocs free?

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

### Do iBeams or StageDocs have ads?

Neither iBeams nor StageDocs shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iBeams or StageDocs?

iBeams ships an update every 17 months, and StageDocs every 3 weeks. Most recently, iBeams was updated on October 5, 2026 and StageDocs on September 20, 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.*