# Beam vs Sketchalyze

The clearest difference is update cadence: Sketchalyze at every 13 months against Beam's every 41 months. Beam's advantage is iOS requirement (10.0 vs 15.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

Beam ships an update every 41 months, Sketchalyze every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Beam | Sketchalyze |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchalyze/id704472004/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **7** |
| Positive reviews | — | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 41 months | **Every 13 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tsutomu Murata](https://appshunter.io/developer/674892164) | [Duy Truong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1257007296) |

## What reviewers say

### Beam

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/beam-i/id680017839)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sketchalyze

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchalyze/id704472004)

This app allows users to sketch and analyze structural systems directly on their iPad. It provides instant visualization of analysis results like deformations and section forces, performing finite element analysis in the background. Users can define cross-sections, apply loads, and visualize results for linear and nonlinear analyses.

**Highlights:** Sketch structural systems, Instant analysis results visualization, Finite element analysis, Tabulated and user-defined cross sections, Truss and beam element types, Linear and nonlinear analysis, Load-deflection curves

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Beam free?

Beam is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Sketchalyze free?

Sketchalyze is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Beam or Sketchalyze have ads?

Neither Beam nor Sketchalyze shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Beam or Sketchalyze?

Beam ships an update every 41 months, and Sketchalyze every 13 months. Most recently, Beam was updated on October 3, 2026 and Sketchalyze on October 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*