Comparison

Piping Abacus vs Vaetrix Hydro App

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

Head to head
About

Piping Abacus

This app serves as a comprehensive mobile reference for piping information, acting as a digital "Blue Book" for pipe fitters and related professionals. It includes a built-in calculator for on-the-fly computations and offers multiple interfaces for accessing detailed data, quick references, and browsing pipe schedules.

Highlights
  • Comprehensive piping reference database
  • Integrated calculator for on-the-fly computations
  • Catalog, Chart, and Wheels interfaces
  • Detailed fitting and valve information
  • Support for various units (Imperial/Metric, Decimal/Fraction)
  • Educational information on fitting types and standards
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

PipingAbacus is the most advanced and powerful mobile app for piping information; it is the modern Pipe Fitter's "Blue Book". It is designed to be used by draftsman, designer, pipefitter (s), engineer, and construction personnel. Piping Abacus now supports iPhone 5. Piping Abacus is the modern Pipe Fitter's "Blue Book". Piping Abacus is a powerful piping reference database utility. Piping Abacus is unique; it is the only piping reference resource that incorporates a built in calculator to the reference data. The basic idea is: if you are referring to the data ( datum ), than you probably need to add it or subtract it. But it can also be used just as easily for a reference tool. PipingAbacus now has three interfaces (windows) to access the piping information - Catalog, Chart, and Wheels. It works the way you want it to work. For example, use the catalog if you want very detailed and specific information about a valve or fitting. If you are checking or adding takeouts, then use the easy and fast chart. Like to quickly browse pipe schedules, then use the wheel view. Use the right view to match your task. Accurate - All data was carefully entered upon entry. It was re-checked after the program was written. The program has been regularly used for over two years in the field by piping designers and construction personnel ( fitter fabrication ). Complete - All common Buttweld, SocketWeld, Threaded, welding, and Flanged Fittings and Valve (s) are presented in the "catalog" section of the app ANSI, ASME, etc. The user can easily add o'all lengths, weights, 1/2 OD's etc. Sizes include 1/8" through 60" (DIN and Imperial). Flange ratings 150 through 2500. Schedules: 10 - XXS. The menu system was designed to provide the user with graphical pipe fitting images that are large enough to provide details that are commonly found in manufacturer catalogs. All fitting properties are displayed in a scrolling table below the image with a clear description, value and a add/sub button. Versatile - Use the catalog section for detailed information. Use the chart or wheels for quick and easy reference. Output and input - imperial metric, fraction, decimals - you decide. Educational - What is the difference between a gate and a globe? What ASTM or ANSI does a particular fitting conform to? This information is now at your fingertips. Easy and intuitive - Uses common symbology. Useful - Other apps or programs simply present partial fitting dimensions to the user. PipingAbacus presents all catalog information. If a computation is required (how common it is to have add multiple fittings together)? The abacus part of the catalog adds fitting dimensions on the fly. But there's more versatility: units include: decimal, inch, ft-in input. You owe it to yourself: check out the you-tube videos through the web site. Compare our app against others. Their app may be good, but our app is BETTER! Go to our website www.jplanaux.com to learn more or search "PipingAbacus" at you-tube before you buy any other piping info app. PipingAbacus is easier to use, is regularly updated, has tons of information, is more versatile, and loads fast. Piping Abacus is a work in progress, and it keeps getting more xtreme through your comments and email contact. We are the best most advanced and powerful Piping Mobile iPhone App!" The best piping iPhone app keeps adding more information - for free. Most recent additional information includes: Orifice Flanges, Bolt Torque, Series A and Series B Flanges, wrench sizes for bolting, pipe spacing, malleable iron, and butt-weld valves and a "fitting chart" which includes built in calc buttons. Added tutorial links and email support link. Not quite sure that this is the right app for you? Visit our web site by clicking on the support link to find out more info about our app.

About

Vaetrix Hydro App

Monitor pipeline pressure in real-time with live readings, min/max values, and customizable alarms. View trending graphs and store permanent data records. Easily share reports in PDF format for efficient field distribution and compliance.

Highlights
  • Live pressure monitoring
  • Min/Max pressure tracking
  • Customizable pressure alarms
  • Live trending graph
  • Data storage and PDF export
  • Field data distribution
Features
Read full description

Looking to ditch those pressure chart recorders or run a digital chart recorder side by side for testing various types of pipelines? Download the Hydro App to see live pressure, min/max, and set alarms to monitor the test window pressure. This includes an alarm to instantly bleed off or add pressure to the pipe for those temperature swings. Tap the graph feature and see a live trending graph on your Apple phone or tablet. All this while the data is being stored on the gauge in memory for a permanent record using the Hydro Test Management software or simply send a .pdf file with reading and graph. The app works with all Vaetrix ETG or HTG products regardless if they have just pressure or pressure/temperature. View and email files in the field for easy distribution, therefore saving time and money before you even leave the job. Data includes a date/time stamp for validity and all readings are traceable back to NIST if the gauge is within calibration. This takes the guess work out of whether the test was completed for the correct amount of time and designated test pressure, therefore satisfying the inspector or auditing body.

Screenshots

Piping Abacus4 screens
Vaetrix Hydro App4 screens

Verdict

The call

Piping Abacus and Vaetrix Hydro App both sit at 3.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 92% of Piping Abacus's written reviews are positive against 0% of Vaetrix Hydro App's. Piping Abacus also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 5 months) and chart position (#153 vs unranked). Vaetrix Hydro App's advantage is price (Free vs $9.99). On rating, 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

Vaetrix Hydro App is free to download; Piping Abacus costs $9.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for Piping Abacus against 4.0 for Vaetrix Hydro App. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 2 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of Piping Abacus's written reviews are positive against 0% of Vaetrix Hydro App's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Piping Abacus ships an update every 4 weeks, Vaetrix Hydro App every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Piping Abacus versus Vaetrix Hydro App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPiping AbacusVaetrix Hydro App
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (9 ratings)4.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings9 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#153 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJean-Paul LanauxJM Test Systems Inc.

Customer experience

Piping Abacus

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews78 reviews
Positive92.3%
Neutral1.3%
Negative6.4%

Vaetrix Hydro App

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Piping Abacus

Reported bugs

7 issues
  • Calculator store and recall functions not working
  • Clear button clears everything instead of last input
  • Notes display truncated data ('...')
  • Background grid lines too visible after update
  • Calculator can be glitchy
Show 2 more
  • Application bugged/not working on iPhone
  • Issues with finding different size fittings and changing thickness

Requested features

19 requests
  • Remove background grid lines
  • Update app to remove background grid lines
  • Add rolling offset chart
  • Add saddle layout
  • Add U-BOLT DIMENSIONS
Show 14 more
  • Add offset calculations
  • Add double 45, 45 off 90, 45 off tee and other 45 offset measurements
  • Add bolt size and wrench info for flanges
  • Add weights for various pipe metals
  • Add plug valve data
  • Add 150lb TH fittings data
  • Add more detail like saddle layout for big pipe
  • Add more formula related stuff like rolling offsets
  • Improve calculator functions (store, recall, clear)
  • Clear button should only clear last input mistake
  • Add dark mode option
  • Add advanced analytics dashboard
  • Add relief valves
  • Add inside/outside measurements for cutting elbows to any angle

Vaetrix Hydro App

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Piping Abacus

No in-app purchases

None

Vaetrix Hydro App

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Piping Abacus free?
Piping Abacus costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Vaetrix Hydro App free?
Vaetrix Hydro App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Piping Abacus or Vaetrix Hydro App?
Vaetrix Hydro App is rated higher. Piping Abacus averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Vaetrix Hydro App averages 4.0 from 2 ratings.
Do Piping Abacus or Vaetrix Hydro App have ads?
Neither Piping Abacus nor Vaetrix Hydro App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Piping Abacus or Vaetrix Hydro App?
Piping Abacus ships an update every 4 weeks, and Vaetrix Hydro App every 5 months. Most recently, Piping Abacus was updated on October 29, 2026 and Vaetrix Hydro App on October 9, 2026.

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