Report updated Apr 11, 2026
Steam Tables
For hVAC technicians, engineers, and installers who require precise, on-the-go thermodynamic calculations and equipment management tools.
Steam Tables is a well-regarded business app that is free with in-app purchases. With a 4.2/5 rating from 1.1K reviews, it maintains solid user satisfaction. Users particularly appreciate utility for engineering students, though aggressive paywall/premium model remains a common concern.
What Is Steam Tables?
Current Momentum
v6.1 · 3mo ago
SteadySteam Tables recently added report sharing via text and email on iOS, following a major Android redesign with saved conditions.
Active Nemesis
Steam Tables
By Carmel Software
Other Rivals
7-Day Rank Pulse 🇺🇸
Recent User Mood 🇺🇸
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
How Is The App's Momentum Right Now?
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What Are The Key Features?
Calculates saturated and superheated steam properties using actual steam-table formulas rather than static lookups.
Adjust input parameters via sliders for real-time calculation updates.
Bonus utility included within the app for tracking equipment and service records.
Who is it for & how much does it cost?
Target Audience
HVAC technicians, engineers, and installers who require precise, on-the-go thermodynamic calculations and equipment management tools.
Pricing
Freemium- iOS version: Paid one-time fee of $5.99
- Android version: Free with ad-supported or feature-limited model
The developer uses a split strategy: a premium $5.99 entry on iOS for professionals and a freemium model on Android to capture the student and high-volume market, though the latter suffers from paywall-related sentiment issues.
Who Built It?
Enrichment in progress
Publisher profile available very soon
What other apps does Carmel Software make?
HVAC Psychrometric Plus
Productivity
HVAC Residential Load Calcs
Business
What do users think recently?
High confidence · 1.1K reviews analyzed
What is the recent mood?
“Recent user voice shows a excited sentiment. Users appreciate utility for engineering students and ease of use and speed, but report aggressive paywall/premium model and data accuracy and formatting.”
What Users Love
incredible app, it save me while i was studying thermodynamics
It's a great tool for every student, that studies thermodynamics!
It instantly updates the results as I change the inputs
easy to use and fast
What Frustrates Users
Most information & features are locked behind "premium". Very deceptive interface
Needs premium version to work
kinematic viscosity and Prandtl number tend to be off by 10^6
One cannot read the exponents which makes the whole thing kinda useless.
What is the competitive landscape for Steam Tables?
How's The Business Market?
How does it evolve in the Business market?
| Chart | Rank | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Paid | #87 | ▼16 |
Business Market Trend
Business market trend & dynamics
Available very soon
The rivals identified
The Nemesis
Head to Head
While TLV has the edge in brand authority and price (free), Steam Tables by Carmel Software offers superior interactive utility with its slider-based inputs and broader HVAC-specific toolset for paying professionals.
What sets Steam Tables apart
- +
Interactive slider controls allow for rapid 'what-if' analysis without manual typing
- +
Includes the HVAC Equipment Locator utility as a built-in bonus feature
What's Steam Tables's Edge
- -
Zero-cost entry point compared to the $5.99 premium price of the target app
- -
Direct brand association with industrial steam trap and valve manufacturing
Peers
Natural language processing allows users to type 'saturated steam at 100 psi' directly
Provides graphical representations and step-by-step mathematical derivations
The outtake for Steam Tables
SWOT Analysis
Core Strengths
- Formula-based calculation engine (not static lookups)
- Interactive slider UI for rapid 'what-if' analysis
- 15-year developer track record and HVAC suite integration
Critical Frictions
- Scientific notation formatting issues affecting readability
- Perceived deceptive paywall on Android platform
- Reported inaccuracies in specific physical properties (viscosity)
Growth Levers
- Modernize UI with dark mode and gesture navigation
- Add steam pipe sizing to match industrial competitors
- Improve data export/reporting features
Market Threats
- Free high-authority apps from industrial leaders like TLV
- Downward trend in paid rankings (#87, ↓16)
- Newer entrants with modern, streamlined UI/UX
What are the next best moves?
Fix scientific notation and exponent readability
Directly cited as making the app 'useless' in user complaints; critical for professional trust.
Audit kinematic viscosity and Prandtl number calculations
User reported a 10^6 magnitude error, which is a critical failure for a 'professional-grade' engineering tool.
Redesign Android monetization onboarding
Frequent 'deceptive' labels in reviews indicate the current freemium transition is damaging the brand and driving 1-star ratings.
Feature Gaps vs Competitors
- Steam Pipe Sizing tool (available in Spirax-Sarco)
- Condensate and flash steam recovery calculations (available in TLV)
- Dark mode and gesture-based navigation (available in Steam Tables Pro)
Key Takeaways
Steam Tables is a robust legacy tool with a superior calculation engine, but it is resting on its laurels. To defend its #87 ranking against free industrial rivals like TLV, the PM must immediately resolve technical accuracy reports and modernize the output formatting to meet professional standards.
Where Is It Heading?
Stable
Android version refactored to Kotlin (v6.2.1) — indicates active technical debt management and platform investment.
Rankings dropped 16 positions to #87 Paid — suggests loss of momentum against newer or free competitors.
Recent iOS updates focused on OS compatibility and basic sharing — maintenance mode rather than feature expansion.