Comparison

Structural Engineering lite vs mechanical design engine

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

mechanical design engine

Features
Read full description

* To calculate basic thickness of cylindrical/rectangular pressure vessel including heads if input data such as pressure, temperature, inner diameter and material information. * flange data can be easily searched. * Profile steel information such as pipe, H, W, I and U-Beam. * Raw material information, that is chemical composition and mechanical properties, for example, ASTM A240 316L, EN10297-1, SUS316L and so on. * Size and shape information of every thread(iso/unf/pf/pt) and shackles(bow/d-type) * To calculate force and moment of solid mechanics according to support type.

Screenshots

Structural Engineering lite4 screens
mechanical design engine4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: mechanical design engine at none against Structural Engineering lite's 1. mechanical design engine also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 6 months). On price 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

Both are free to download. Structural Engineering lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. mechanical design engine asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, mechanical design engine every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Structural Engineering lite versus mechanical design engine: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStructural Engineering litemechanical design engine
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (19 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings19 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size6 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperV PUGAZHENTHIgan dae choi

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Structural Engineering lite

One-time1
  • Structural Engineering Calc.$5.99
None

mechanical design engine

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Structural Engineering lite free?
Structural Engineering lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is mechanical design engine free?
mechanical design engine is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Structural Engineering lite or mechanical design engine have ads?
Structural Engineering lite shows ads; mechanical design engine does not.
Which is updated more often, Structural Engineering lite or mechanical design engine?
Structural Engineering lite ships an update every 6 months, and mechanical design engine every 2 months. Most recently, Structural Engineering lite was updated on September 18, 2026 and mechanical design engine on September 8, 2026.

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