Comparison

HydroCalc Basic vs PipeDN

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

Head to head
About

HydroCalc Basic

Features
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Pipe Headloss Calculator provides engineers, designers, and students with powerful tools for pipeline hydraulic analysis β€” without the hassle of complex manual computations. Whether you’re sizing new pipelines or analyzing existing systems, the app delivers rapid, accurate results. Key Features Automatic Unit Conversion – Seamlessly switch between US Customary and SI units for length, flow, and diameter. Pipeline-Specific Inputs – Enter pipeline length, flow rate, internal diameter, and pipe material. Powerful Inverse Calculator – Set a target head loss and calculate the required diameter, flow, or length. Instantly view flow velocity, friction head loss, fitting losses, and full system curve data. With a clean interface and fast performance, this app is designed to save time and improve accuracy in hydraulic calculations β€” from the classroom to the field.

About

PipeDN

Features
Read full description

Need to determine the pipe size for a new industrial project? Want to check the maximum recommended flow rate for an existing fluid line? PipeDN is the ultimate pocket tool for industry professionals. Quickly find the ideal Nominal Diameter (DN) or maximum operating flow rate using velocity limits based on practical, field-tested engineering standards. Beyond delivering the exact requirement, the app generates a smart reference table of neighboring commercial pipe sizes (larger and smaller). This gives you the comprehensive technical data to choose the best design alternative for your facility. Highlighted Features: β€’ Calculation Modules: "Find Ideal DN" and "Find Max Flow". β€’ Native support for multiple pipe materials and schedules. β€’ Professional PDF Reports: Export a detailed calculation memory directly to PDF. Include specific pipeline TAGs for customized, ready-to-archive engineering results. β€’ Custom Units: Fully adapt pressure, temperature, flow rate, and diameter unit sets to match your region's standard. β€’ Embedded Physical Tables: The Steam module features built-in thermodynamic properties for precise dynamic density tracking. Supported Fluids & Applications: β€’ Water & Condensate: Treated Water, Condensate (Pump Discharge, Pump Suction, Steam Trap Return). β€’ Steam: Advanced sizing targeting Saturated Steam and Superheated Steam lines. β€’ Process Gases: Combustion Air, Flammable & Non-Flammable Gases, Nβ‚‚, Oβ‚‚, LPG. β€’ Compressed Air: Limits tailored for Main Lines and Secondary Branches. β€’ Vacuum Systems (Manifolds, Separators, Blowers). β€’ Pulp & Paper Industry Niche: Exclusive calculation module for Cellulose Pulp responding to various consistency levels (up to 6%), as well as comprehensive chemical recovery liquors (Black Liquor in 4 concentrations, Green Liquor, Lime Mud, Dregs, Filtrate, Alkalis, and Tall Oil Soap). β€’ Common Chemicals: Sodium Hydroxide, Sulphuric Acid, Antifoams, and Lubricating Oils. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

HydroCalc Basic4 screens
PipeDN4 screens

Verdict

The call

HydroCalc Basic and PipeDN are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters β€” price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them β€” neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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. HydroCalc Basic sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and PipeDN sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HydroCalc Basic ships an update every 11 days, PipeDN every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
HydroCalc Basic versus PipeDN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHydroCalc BasicPipeDN
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 11 days β€” betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.1
Further details β€” not scored
Size35 MB40 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTransparent Blue Water LLCAQUILES DE LIMA

In-app purchases

1 purchases

HydroCalc Basic

One-time1
  • Premium - Flow Units & Ad-Free$1.99
3 purchases

PipeDN

Subscriptions2
  • PipeDN Pro$7.991 Month
  • PipeDN Pro$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • PipeDN Pro$79.99

Questions

Is HydroCalc Basic free?
HydroCalc Basic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PipeDN free?
PipeDN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HydroCalc Basic or PipeDN have ads?
Neither HydroCalc Basic nor PipeDN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HydroCalc Basic or PipeDN?
HydroCalc Basic ships an update every 11 days, and PipeDN every 3 weeks. Most recently, HydroCalc Basic was updated on October 4, 2026 and PipeDN on September 18, 2026.

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