Piping Abacus vs Vaetrix Hydro App
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- Live pressure monitoring
- Min/Max pressure tracking
- Customizable pressure alarms
- Live trending graph
- Data storage and PDF export
- Field data distribution
Read full descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | Piping Abacus | Vaetrix Hydro App |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.9 (9 ratings) | 4.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #153 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 14.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jean-Paul Lanaux | JM Test Systems Inc. |
Customer experience
Piping Abacus
Vaetrix Hydro App
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 moreShow fewer
- 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 moreShow fewer
- 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
Piping Abacus
No in-app purchases
Vaetrix Hydro App
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Piping Abacus free?
Is Vaetrix Hydro App free?
Which has better reviews, Piping Abacus or Vaetrix Hydro App?
Do Piping Abacus or Vaetrix Hydro App have ads?
Which is updated more often, Piping Abacus or Vaetrix Hydro App?
Other comparisons















