Piping Abacus vs Layout Calc Pro
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
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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.
Layout Calc Pro
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【App Description】 Layout Calc Pro is a cloud-based intelligent calculation platform designed for riveters, pipe fitters, sheet metal workers, HVAC specialists, insulation workers, and pressure vessel assembly technicians. It deeply integrates expert experience with a powerful calculation engine (built-in professional engineering calculator supporting trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions), revolutionizing traditional manual layout calculations and drawings. 【Core Value】 1.Instant Precision Calculation: Input parameters and instantly get complex component unfoldings. 2.Efficiency Boost: Eliminate manual calculations and templates, greatly reducing cutting and prefabrication time, focusing on assembly and inspection. 3.Accuracy Assurance: Reliable calculation results reduce rework, scrap, and corrections. 4.Cloud Convenience: Access anytime, anywhere, with clear results and one-click export to DXF/CAD files, ready for CNC cutting. 5.After-Sales Support: 24/7 online support and video tutorials help you get started easily and quickly improve your skills. 【Application Scenarios】 1.Piping Projects: Accurate unfolding and cutting of elbows, tees, reducers, risers, supports, and other components. 2.Pressure Vessels & Boilers: Petal heads, cones, nozzle layouts, cylinder openings, reinforcement rings, and saddle plates. 3.Sheet Metal & HVAC: Duct fittings, hoppers, casings, round-to-square transitions, and custom-shaped components for insulation projects. 4.Steel Structures & Welding: Complex node plates, steel angle cuts, stair treads, and non-standard container shells. 5.Cable Trays: Rapid calculation of horizontal bends, vertical bends, tees, and reducers.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Layout Calc Pro at Free against Piping Abacus's $9.99. Layout Calc Pro also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 4 weeks). Piping Abacus's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and chart position (#128 vs unranked). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Layout Calc Pro is free to download; Piping Abacus costs $9.99 up front. Layout Calc Pro sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Piping Abacus asks for nothing beyond the download.
Piping Abacus ships an update every 4 weeks, Layout Calc Pro every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Piping Abacus | Layout Calc Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.9 (9 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 6 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #128 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 5 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jean-Paul Lanaux | 思源 李 |
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
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- 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
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- 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
Layout Calc Pro
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Piping Abacus
No in-app purchases
Layout Calc Pro
- Three Day VIP$5.00
- 1-Year VIP Membership$19.99
- 2-Year VIP Membership$34.99
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- 3-Year VIP Membership$44.99
- 1-Year VIP Membership$55.00
- 2-Year VIP Membership$104.99
- 3-Year VIP Membership$154.99
Questions
Is Piping Abacus free?
Is Layout Calc Pro free?
Do Piping Abacus or Layout Calc Pro have ads?
Which is updated more often, Piping Abacus or Layout Calc Pro?
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