Comparison

Piping Abacus vs FlowLine Isometric

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

FlowLine Isometric

A professional tool for creating isometric piping diagrams. It allows pipefitters, plumbers, engineers, and contractors to quickly sketch and document pipe runs with a snap grid for precise isometric projection.

Highlights
  • Isometric projection drawing
  • Snap grid for precise lines
  • Quick sketching and documentation
  • On-site or office use
  • Focus on layout
Features
Read full description

Flowline is a professional isometric piping diagram tool built for pipefitters, plumbers, mechanical engineers, and contractors who need to sketch and document pipe runs quickly on site or in the office. Draw in true isometric projection with a snap grid that keeps every line on axis. Flowline handles the geometry so you can focus on the layout.

Screenshots

Piping Abacus4 screens
FlowLine Isometric4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: FlowLine Isometric at Free against Piping Abacus's $9.99. FlowLine Isometric also leads on rating (4.1 vs 3.9). Piping Abacus's advantage is chart position (#176 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

FlowLine Isometric 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

FlowLine Isometric holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 10 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Piping Abacus ships an update every 4 weeks, FlowLine Isometric every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Piping Abacus versus FlowLine Isometric: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPiping AbacusFlowLine Isometric
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.9 (9 ratings)4.1 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings910 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#176 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJean-Paul LanauxJoshua Parkin

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

FlowLine Isometric

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Piping Abacus

No in-app purchases

None

FlowLine Isometric

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Piping Abacus free?
Piping Abacus costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is FlowLine Isometric free?
FlowLine Isometric is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Piping Abacus or FlowLine Isometric?
FlowLine Isometric is rated higher. Piping Abacus averages 3.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while FlowLine Isometric averages 4.1 from 10 ratings.
Do Piping Abacus or FlowLine Isometric have ads?
Neither Piping Abacus nor FlowLine Isometric shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Piping Abacus or FlowLine Isometric?
Piping Abacus ships an update every 4 weeks, and FlowLine Isometric every 6 weeks. Most recently, Piping Abacus was updated on October 26, 2026 and FlowLine Isometric on October 25, 2026.

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