International Steam Tables vs Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
International Steam Tables
This application calculates thermodynamic properties of water and steam based on the IAPWS-IF97 formulation. It allows users to input various combinations of variables and automatically computes a wide range of properties, including transport properties and derivatives. Designed for students and engineers, it offers a comprehensive tool for thermodynamic calculations.
- Calculates thermodynamic properties of water and steam
- Based on IAPWS-IF97 formulation
- Supports various input variable combinations
- Automatically computes results
- Includes transport properties and derivatives
- Designed for students and engineers
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The "International Steam Tables - IAPWS-IF97" app has been developed by active members of the International Association for the Properties of Water and Steam (IAPWS) at the Zittau/Görlitz University of Applied Sciences. The research group at the Department of Technical Thermodynamics in Zittau participated in the development of the "Industrial Formulation IAPWS-IF97 for the Properties of Water and Steam" and developed four supplementary standards for backward equations. This universal app can be used on iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch, and is designed for comfortable use. The calculations of the thermodynamic properties are based on the Industrial Formulation IAPWS-IF97 and cover its full range of validity. In addition, transport properties, thermodynamic derivatives, and backward functions can be calculated. This app is intended to be used by students and engineers in their daily work. To learn more about the "International Steam Tables - IAPWS-IF97" app visit our website www.thermodynamics-zittau.de for a detailed User's Guide. --------------------------------------- Features of the "International Steam Tables - IAPWS-IF97" app: The following combinations of input variables can be chosen: Pressure p and temperature t Pressure p and vapor fraction x in wet steam region Temperature t and vapor fraction x in wet steam region Pressure p and specific enthalpy h Pressure p and specific entropy s Specific enthalpy h and specific entropy s Specific internal energy u and specific volume v Specific enthalpy h and specific volume v The user just edits the values of the input variables and all results are calculated automatically. See the screenshots below this text for details. Depending on the given pair of input variables the following properties will be calculated: Pressure p or saturation pressure ps Temperature t or saturation temperature ts Vapor fraction x Specific volume v Density rho Specific internal energy u Specific enthalpy h Specific entropy s Specific isobaric heat capacity cp Specific isochoric heat capacity cv Isentropic exponent kappa Speed of sound w Isobaric cubic expansion coefficient alpha_v Isothermal compressibility kappa_t Thermal conductivity lambda Dynamic viscosity eta Kinematic viscosity ny Prandtl number Pr Thermal diffusivity a The calculated properties are displayed in a scrollable view. The user just needs to scroll down to see all the results. See the screenshots below for details. If the user switches from one input variable combination to another the previously given or calculated values will be assigned to the new input values and the output is being calculated automatically. For example, if the user calculates a certain state point from pressure p and temperature t and switches to a calculation from pressure p and specific entropy s afterwards, the previously calculated value for s (from p and t) will be assigned as input value for s. This eases the calculation of thermodynamic processes in which one property is kept constant, e. g. of an isentropic expansion. The user can choose SI or I-P unit systems. In addition a variety of other units are available, e.g. K, °C, °F, °R for Temperature, MPa, bar, psi, atm for pressure, kg, lb for mass, kJ, Btu, ft lbf, kcal for energy. All units can be selected independently but the user might also switch between SI and IP unit system for all properties with just one tap. See the screenshots below this text for details. Unit conversions will be effective immediately. A detailed User's Guide explains the features and capabilities of this App. View the User's guide online on www.thermodynamics-zittau.de.
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite
This app turns your smartphone into a scientific instrument suite, enabling measurement, recording, analysis, and export of real-time sensor data. It offers tools for kinematics, acoustics, light, magnetism, and more, suitable for students, educators, researchers, and hobbyists.
- Real-time sensor data measurement
- Data recording and analysis
- Data export functionality
- Kinematics tools (accelerometer, gyroscope)
- Acoustics tools (sound meter, oscilloscope)
- Magnetism tools (compass, magnetometer)
- AR visualization for magnetic fields and measurements
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Whether you’re a student, educator, researcher, or hobbyist, Physics Toolbox transforms your smartphone’s built-in sensors into a powerful suite of scientific instruments. Easily measure, record, analyze, and export real-time data for a variety of uses—from classroom experiments to cutting-edge research. KINEMATICS G-Force Meter Linear Accelerometer Gyroscope Inclinometer Motion Visualizer (LiDAR-tracked position and velocity) ACOUSTICS Sound Meter Tone Detector Tone Generator Oscilloscope Spectrum Analyzer Spectrogram LIGHT Light Meter Color Detector Proximeter Stroboscope MAGNETISM Compass Magnetometer Magna-AR (AR visualization of magnetic field vectors) OTHER Barometer GPS - latitude, longitude, altitude, speed, direction, number of satellites Ruler-AR (AR-estimated measurements) COMBINATION Multi Record Roller Coaster GAME Play (data-verified challenges)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite at Free against International Steam Tables's $2.99. Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.9) and update cadence (weekly vs every 68 months). International Steam Tables's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 16.0). On ads 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
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite is free to download; International Steam Tables costs $2.99 up front. Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. International Steam Tables asks for nothing beyond the download.
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite has 1.8K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of International Steam Tables's written reviews are positive against 81% of Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite's.
International Steam Tables ships an update every 68 months, Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite weekly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | International Steam Tables | Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.9 (8 ratings) | 4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 71.4% of reviews | 80.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 8 | 1.8K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 68 months | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 8.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 79 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Hans-Joachim Kretzschmar | Chrystian Vieyra |
Customer experience
International Steam Tables
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite
In-app purchases
International Steam Tables
No in-app purchases
Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite
- Upgrade to Pro$5.99
Questions
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Is Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite free?
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