Comparison

HydroCalc Plus vs Pipe Sizer

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

Head to head
About

HydroCalc Plus

A professional tool for hydraulic engineers to calculate pressure losses in piping systems. It supports US and SI units, offers an extensive pipe material and fittings database, and includes inverse calculations for design optimization.

Highlights
  • Friction head loss calculation (Hazen-Williams)
  • US and SI unit support
  • Extensive pipe material library
  • Fittings and valves database
  • Inverse calculation mode
  • Real-time results (velocity, losses)
Features
Read full description

Professional hydraulic engineering tool for calculating pressure losses in piping systems. Essential for engineers, plumbers, and contractors designing water distribution networks. Key Features: Calculate friction head losses using industry-standard Hazen-Williams equation Support for both US (ft, gpm, psi) and SI (m, lps, bar) units Extensive pipe material library with pre-defined roughness coefficients (C-factors) Complete fittings and valves database including elbows, tees, valves, contractions, and expansions Inverse calculations to determine optimal pipe diameter, flow rate, or length for target head loss Real-time results showing velocity, friction loss, minor losses, and total system head loss What Sets Pro Apart: Unlike basic calculators, HydroCalc Pro accounts for both major losses (pipe friction) and minor losses (fittings and valves). The app includes a comprehensive database of K-factors for various components, allowing accurate total system pressure loss calculations. Perfect For: Water supply system design Irrigation network planning HVAC piping calculations Fire protection systems Industrial fluid transport Educational purposes in hydraulic engineering Technical Capabilities: The app considers all critical factors affecting pressure loss: flow velocity, pipe diameter, internal roughness, pipe length, and fitting configurations. Materials include PVC, polyethylene, steel, cast iron, concrete, and more with accurate C-factors ranging from 120-150. Inverse Calculation Mode: Unique feature allowing backward calculations - determine required pipe size for allowable head loss, maximum flow capacity, or optimal pipe length for your system constraints. Simple, intuitive interface with instant results. No internet connection required. Professional-grade calculations in your pocket. Note: Premium modules are available in English and Spanish.

About

Pipe Sizer

This app helps water piping system engineers and designers quickly and accurately design and analyze piping systems. It offers direct input for flow, friction, or velocity, with live calculation updates and support for various units and pipe materials.

Highlights
  • Quickly size new piping systems
  • Analyze existing piping systems
  • Direct input for flow, friction, or velocity
  • Live calculation updates
  • Supports SI and IP units
  • Works with steel, copper, and PVC pipes
  • Includes fluid data for water and glycols
Features
Read full description

The Pipe Sizer App for iOS has been designed to help water piping system engineers and designers quickly and accurately design new piping systems, and analyze existing pipping systems. Quickly size new and analyze existing piping systems on your iPhone or iPad. • Enter flow, friction rate or velocity numbers directly for maximum accuracy. • Use the sliders for quick calculations. • Calculations update live, giving you quick feedback on your design. • Lock flow rate, friction rate or velocity to size the pipe based on your input criteria. • Works for both SI and IP units. • Supports steel, copper and PVC piping. • Includes fluid data for: • Water • Ethylene glycol (10-90% by volume) • Propylene glycol (10-90% by volume) Put your plastic sizing wheel in the drawer. Have a modern design tool with you wherever you go. Note: This application (App) is provided for use by qualified piping system engineers and designers and is not a substitute for appropriate design services. When in doubt, contact a design professional.

Screenshots

HydroCalc Plus4 screens
Pipe Sizer2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: HydroCalc Plus at $3.99 against Pipe Sizer's $12.99. HydroCalc Plus also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 17 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Pipe Sizer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (10 vs 1). On review sentiment, ads, monetization model 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

HydroCalc Plus costs $3.99 and Pipe Sizer $12.99 up front. HydroCalc Plus sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Pipe Sizer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

HydroCalc Plus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pipe Sizer has 10 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HydroCalc Plus ships an update every 3 weeks, Pipe Sizer every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on August 31, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
HydroCalc Plus versus Pipe Sizer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHydroCalc PlusPipe Sizer
Price$3.99 — better$12.99
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.8 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings110 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS15.1 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size34 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTransparent Blue Water LLCPheinex, LLC

Customer experience

HydroCalc Plus

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Pipe Sizer

All ratings10 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

HydroCalc Plus

One-time4
  • Pump Power Calculator$1.99
  • System Curve Generator$1.99
  • Pipe Database$1.99
Show 1 more
  • Industrial Fluids Pack$2.99
None

Pipe Sizer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is HydroCalc Plus free?
HydroCalc Plus costs $3.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Pipe Sizer free?
Pipe Sizer costs $12.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, HydroCalc Plus or Pipe Sizer?
HydroCalc Plus is rated higher. HydroCalc Plus averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Pipe Sizer averages 4.8 from 10 ratings.
Do HydroCalc Plus or Pipe Sizer have ads?
Neither HydroCalc Plus nor Pipe Sizer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HydroCalc Plus or Pipe Sizer?
HydroCalc Plus ships an update every 3 weeks, and Pipe Sizer every 17 months. Most recently, HydroCalc Plus was updated on August 31, 2026 and Pipe Sizer on September 20, 2026.

Other comparisons