Comparison

Structural Engineering lite vs SSI Steel Design

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

Head to head
About

Structural Engineering lite

This app provides engineers with essential structural formulas and calculations for civil construction projects. It offers instant results, demand/capacity checks, and a built-in database of materials and sections, all accessible on mobile devices.

Highlights
  • 59 structural formulas (AISC/ACI)
  • Instant demand/capacity checks
  • Built-in AISC section database
  • Material and code references
  • USCS & SI unit support
  • Pass/Fail visual indicator
Features
Read full description

Structural Engineering Calculator delivers 59 AISC and ACI structural formulas with instant results, demand/capacity checks, a built-in AISC section database, and material references — all in one app. Whether you’re on site, in the office, or reviewing drawings, every calculation you need is in your pocket. 59 STRUCTURAL FORMULAS COLUMNS Critical Ratio (Cc), Effective Length Factor (K), Slenderness Ratio (KL/r), Allowable Compressive Stress (Sr less than Cc), Allowable Compressive Stress (Sr greater than Cc), Safety Factor, Maximum Axial Load. BEAMS Shear Capacity of Flexural Members, Allowable Bending Stress (Compact and Noncompact), Moment Gradient Factor (Cb), Allowable Flange Bending Stress, Plastic Moment (Mp), Lateral Unbraced Lengths (Lp and Lr), Limiting Buckling Moment (Mr), Nominal Moment (Mn), Critical Elastic Moment (Mcr), Allowable Shear Stress, Beam Deflection for UDL and Point Load. BASE PLATES Base Plate Area, Plate Thickness, Bearing Pressure, Flange and Web Thickness, Plate Dimensions N and B. COMPOSITE BEAMS Horizontal Shear for Concrete and Steel, Number of Shear Connectors, Transformed Section Properties, Modular Ratio, Elastic Neutral Axis. CONNECTIONS Allowable Shear with Tension Field Action, Allowable Bearing Stress for Rollers and Rockers, Axial Stress for Concentrated Loads, Allowable Bearing Stress on Fasteners, Number of Shear Connectors, Total Horizontal Shear. AISC CODE REFERENCES Every formula links directly to AISC/ACI clauses — AISC 360-16, AISC ASD 9th Edition, ACI 318-19, and AISC Design Guide 3. PASS / FAIL CHECK Instant visual adequacy check with demand/capacity ratio — green for PASS, red for FAIL. AISC SECTION PICKER Browse W-shapes (AISC 15th Edition) and auto-fill section properties instantly. REFERENCE TAB Built-in library with W-sections (W4–W44), ASTM materials (A36, A992, A572, A500, A325, A490, F1554), weld electrodes, concrete grades, and codes. USCS & SI UNITS Switch anytime between inches/ksi and mm/MPa with automatic conversion. All section and material data included. Supports both USCS and SI units. Compatible with iPhone and iPad. Pay once — no subscriptions. References: AISC Steel Construction Manual 15th Edition, AISC 360-16, AISC ASD 9th Edition, ACI 318-19, AISC Design Guide 3.

About

SSI Steel Design

Easily determine the capacity of structural steel beams and columns. Get detailed calculation sheets to verify your work, designed according to AISC 360-16 standards. Features intuitive touch-based interaction and built-in material databases.

Highlights
  • Determine steel beam and column capacity
  • Generate detailed calculation sheets
  • Intuitive touch-based design input
  • Supports AISC 360-16 standards
  • Built-in material databases
  • Saves calculation sheets as JPG
Features
Read full description

Determine capacity of structural steel beam and column easily and obtain results and calculation sheets to double-check your work!! This is a great tool for civil engineers. You will find it useful to calculate capacity of built-up beam and column. The design is in accordance with the provision of AISC 360-16 which is the latest version of design theory. INTUITIVE TOUCH-BASED INTERACTION Quickly place dimensions of the built-up beam or column, and select the steel grade using a simple graphical design. Out solver algorithm will automatically solve and determine the capacity Immediately see what the maximum capacity of the section and also generate calculation sheet to see the calculation details and procedures simultaneously. The calculation sheet will be in .jpg form and automatically saved into your photo gallery. DOUBLY SYMMETRIC AND SINGLY SYMETRIC SECTION AND BUILT-IN MATERIALS Flexible dimensions can be placed to define the size of the section directly. The built-in databases of materials are also provided, including yield strength of 370 MPa, 420 MPa and 500 MPa CONTACT We want to hear from you!! Issues, questions, or requests? Please contact us via m.me/ssibuildingtechnology

Screenshots

Structural Engineering lite4 screens
SSI Steel Design4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Structural Engineering lite at 60% against SSI Steel Design's 0%. Structural Engineering lite also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (19 vs 1). SSI Steel Design's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, in-app purchases, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Structural Engineering lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SSI Steel Design sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Structural Engineering lite holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Structural Engineering lite has 19 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Structural Engineering lite's written reviews are positive against 0% of SSI Steel Design's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, SSI Steel Design every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Structural Engineering lite versus SSI Steel Design: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStructural Engineering liteSSI Steel Design
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (19 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperV PUGAZHENTHISahaviriya Steel Industries Public Company Limited

Customer experience

Structural Engineering lite

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

SSI Steel Design

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Structural Engineering lite

One-time1
  • Structural Engineering Calc.$5.99
1 purchases

SSI Steel Design

One-time1
  • Full Report Sheet$12.99

Questions

Is Structural Engineering lite free?
Structural Engineering lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SSI Steel Design free?
SSI Steel Design is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Structural Engineering lite or SSI Steel Design?
Structural Engineering lite is rated higher. Structural Engineering lite averages 4.2 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while SSI Steel Design averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Structural Engineering lite or SSI Steel Design have ads?
Structural Engineering lite shows ads; SSI Steel Design does not.
Which is updated more often, Structural Engineering lite or SSI Steel Design?
Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, and SSI Steel Design every 3 months. Most recently, Structural Engineering lite was updated on September 18, 2026 and SSI Steel Design on September 10, 2026.

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