Comparison

StormWise vs Pixel Wind Tunnel

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

Head to head
About

StormWise

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StormWise is an augmented reality application designed to provide student pilots with immersive 3D thunderstorm simulation training. The app features a range of modules, including Thunderstorm Models, Microburst Characteristics, Microburst Effects on Takeoff, Thunderstorm Avoidance, and both Takeoff and Approach Scenarios. It also supports custom scenarios created with our authoring tool. Each module combines live simulations with teaching aids like quizzes and detailed weather information to enhance students' understanding of thunderstorm dynamics and safety procedures. How to Use StormWise: Prepare Your Space: Choose a well-lit room. Open a Custom Scenario (Optional): If you have a customized scenario JSON file created with our authoring tool, open the file with StormWise to launch the app. If you don’t have a custom scenario, open the StormWise app directly. Scan: After launching, select "Scan" and point your device's camera to the ground to begin.

About

Pixel Wind Tunnel

Visualize real fluid dynamics on your device by drawing shapes and simulating their interaction with air or liquid. Explore flow patterns, measure aerodynamic coefficients, and understand physics with real calculations, not approximations.

Highlights
  • Draw custom shapes for simulation
  • Real-time 2D fluid dynamics calculations
  • Multiple visualization modes (velocity, pressure, vorticity, streamlines)
  • Calculate aerodynamic coefficients (drag, lift)
  • Place probes to track fluid properties
  • Adjust simulation parameters (inlet velocity, viscosity)
  • Compare different shape designs
Features
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Draw a shape. Tap Simulate. Watch real fluid dynamics come alive in pixels. Pixel Wind Tunnel is a 2D fluid simulation app that runs real CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) calculations right on your device. No simplified approximations β€” the app solves the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations using the CIP advection method and Pressure Poisson solver, the same mathematical framework used in professional engineering software. HOW IT WORKS Draw any shape with your finger β€” airfoils, cars, buildings, anything Tap Simulate Watch the flow develop in real time That's it. Real fluid physics in three steps. SEE THE FLOW Switch between visualization modes to explore different aspects of the physics: β€’ Velocity β€” where the flow speeds up and slows down β€’ Pressure β€” high and low pressure regions around your shape β€’ Vorticity β€” spinning structures and vortex shedding β€’ Streamlines β€” paths that fluid particles follow MEASURE PERFORMANCE Real-time aerodynamic coefficients calculated from surface pressure and viscous stress integration: β€’ Drag coefficient (Cd) β€’ Lift coefficient (Cl) β€’ Reynolds number Draw two different shapes and compare which one has less drag. Understand why streamlined shapes work better β€” with real numbers, not guesswork. EXPLORE DEEPER β€’ Place point probes anywhere to track velocity and pressure over time β€’ Scrub through simulation history with the timeline slider β€’ Adjust inlet velocity and viscosity to change flow conditions β€’ Save shapes with screenshots and reload them anytime REAL CALCULATION, NOT AN ANIMATION Every frame you see is computed from the actual Navier-Stokes equations. The CIP (Cubic Interpolated Propagation) method handles advection with minimal numerical diffusion, while the SOR iterative solver resolves the pressure field. Boundary conditions, viscous forces, and flow separation are all physically modeled. FOR CURIOUS MINDS Whether you're a student studying fluid mechanics, an engineer sketching quick ideas, a teacher demonstrating aerodynamics in class, or simply someone who wonders why things are shaped the way they are β€” draw it and find out.

Screenshots

StormWise4 screens
Pixel Wind Tunnel4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: StormWise at none against Pixel Wind Tunnel's shown. On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StormWise ships an update every 12 months, Pixel Wind Tunnel every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 7 level
StormWise versus Pixel Wind Tunnel: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStormWisePixel Wind Tunnel
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviewsβ€”0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 7 months β€” better
AdsNo β€” betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetizationβ€”Ad-supported
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size171 MB21 MB
Age rating9+4+
DeveloperIowa State University of Science and TechnologyHiroki Kijima

In-app purchases

None

StormWise

No in-app purchases

None

Pixel Wind Tunnel

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StormWise free?
StormWise is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pixel Wind Tunnel free?
Pixel Wind Tunnel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do StormWise or Pixel Wind Tunnel have ads?
Pixel Wind Tunnel shows ads; StormWise does not.
Which is updated more often, StormWise or Pixel Wind Tunnel?
StormWise ships an update every 12 months, and Pixel Wind Tunnel every 7 months. Most recently, StormWise was updated on October 25, 2026 and Pixel Wind Tunnel on October 31, 2026.

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