Comparison

Y+ Calculator vs Design Materials

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

Head to head
About

Y+ Calculator

This app calculates the necessary grid spacing for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. It helps engineers determine near-wall cell height for accurate viscous flow computations. Supports both SI and Imperial units.

Highlights
  • Calculate grid spacing for target y+ values
  • Supports viscous CFD computations
  • Works in SI or Imperial units
  • Resets to sea-level conditions
  • Based on established fluid mechanics theory
Features
Read full description

Y+ Calculator is a handy tool for calculating the grid spacing at a wall to achieve a target y+ value for viscous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations. Simply specify the flow conditions, the desired y+ value, and compute your grid spacing. If you are an engineer running viscous CFD computations, achieving a target value for y+ in your grid is essential for both resolved and wall function grids for accurate results. Save time by computing your near-wall cell height for the boundary layer before generating your grid. The Y+ Calculator works in either SI or Imperial units and quickly resets to sea-level conditions. This utility is brought to you by Cadence Design Systems. Note: Computations are based on flat-plate boundary layer theory from Frank M. White’s Fluid Mechanics 5th edition, page 467.

About

Design Materials

This app serves as an offline reference guide for various design materials, including polymers and metals. It allows users to manage their own material data, view 3D models, and capture objects with their device's camera. Ideal for professionals and hobbyists involved in product design and 3D printing.

Highlights
  • Offline material reference guide
  • Custom material and resin management
  • 3D model viewer and import/export
  • Object capture via device camera
  • Favorites and notes section
  • Cross-device compatibility (iOS, macOS)
Features
Read full description

Design Materials is an offline material reference guide trusted by hundreds of Engineers, Architects and Designers all over the World. The App was created to be a personal tool to help me take design decisions during the concept ideation of industrial products, in particular for 3D printing. Due to high demand, I decided to make it public and share it's information and power. Basically, it provides the fundamentals for most design/engineer materials on the market, based on reliable and curated academic sources. In addition, you can now create and manager your own Material, Resin or Filament data. Finally, the App features Apple Intelligence (AI) with a pair of Entity Masters in material engineering and STEM: HAL 9000 and Elemento, which can be accessed 24/7 while being on or offline (no internet). The guide contains material categories such as polymers, metals, naturals and more. All of these include synthetic, organic, bio-degradable, plastic, and much more subcategories. Each material contains information such as: About, Properties, Tags, Applications, Types and Photos. HAL 9000 & Elemento (AI entities): The legend of HAL is back. Ask anything from space to robotics or biology, HAL and Elemento are Gods of material engineering and science. HAL does precise flawless analysis while Elemento brings fresh human creativity with an attitude. In addition, you can choose the Tone of AI: Formal, Friendly, Direct or Arrogant. Both AI Entities work offline 24/7. Other features includes: • AI Chat with HAL 9000 or Elemento • Material Packs (subscribers) • 3D-model viewer/import/export • Object Capture: Scan Objects • Favorites section • Offline reference (no Internet needed) • Long list of properties per material • Save Notes per material/resin/filament • Create Designs using Apple Pencil • Support for all iPhone screen sizes • Dark Mode • iPadOS support • MacOS support • Continuous Updates with New Content • UNIVERSAL PURCHASE - One Payment for all Devices New Pro version auto-renew subscriptions: - 1 year (Gold) | 3 month (Silver) | 1 month (Bronze) subscriptions* - Access to all material database ABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period.

 • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal.
 • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase.
 • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. 

• Terms of use (EULA): https://www.termsfeed.com/live/faff17b4-8765-4690-b57e-9aabde3d2950

Screenshots

Y+ Calculator2 screens
Design Materials4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Design Materials at 4.5 against Y+ Calculator's 3.0. Design Materials also leads on review sentiment (33% vs 0%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). Y+ Calculator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.6). On price, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Design Materials sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Y+ Calculator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Design Materials holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1 and 2 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Y+ Calculator's written reviews are positive against 33% of Design Materials's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Y+ Calculator ships an update every 8 months, Design Materials every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Y+ Calculator versus Design Materials: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterY+ CalculatorDesign Materials
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings)4.5 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews33.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings12 — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size18 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCadence Design Systems, Inc.Chrystian Enriquez

Customer experience

Y+ Calculator

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

Design Materials

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

In-app purchases

None

Y+ Calculator

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Design Materials

Subscriptions3
  • Bronze member$7.991 Month
  • Silver member$17.993 Months
  • Gold member$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Y+ Calculator free?
Y+ Calculator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Design Materials free?
Design Materials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Y+ Calculator or Design Materials?
Design Materials is rated higher. Y+ Calculator averages 3.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Design Materials averages 4.5 from 2 ratings.
Do Y+ Calculator or Design Materials have ads?
Neither Y+ Calculator nor Design Materials shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Y+ Calculator or Design Materials?
Y+ Calculator ships an update every 8 months, and Design Materials every 3 months. Most recently, Y+ Calculator was updated on October 4, 2026 and Design Materials on October 2, 2026.

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