Is there a browser-based alternative to APILE?

Yes. PileCalc computes driven-pile axial capacity and t-z load–settlement in the browser by the NAVFAC DM-7.02 method, with downdrag zones, limiting depth and uplift — plus the lateral, group, shaft and footing analyses APILE doesn't include.

Does PileCalc support the CPT-based axial methods?

Not yet — APILE's Offshore edition ($1,350) covers Unified CPT, ICP, UWA and NGI, and if your practice depends on those methods it earns its license. PileCalc implements the NAVFAC DM-7.02 / FHWA procedure with SPT correlations, which covers the large majority of onshore work.

How much does APILE cost compared to PileCalc?

APILE 2026 is roughly $950 perpetual ($1,350 for the Offshore edition) plus $143/yr maintenance after year one, Windows-only with a USB key. PileCalc is free to start and $39.99/month for Pro, in any browser, and includes lateral, groups, shafts and footings.

All comparisons

PileCalc vs Ensoft APILE

Axial capacity and settlement — in the same tab as your lateral runs.

NAVFAC/FHWA capacity with downdrag, limiting depth, uplift and the full t-z / q-w load–settlement curve — in your browser, alongside lateral p-y, groups and shafts. Free to try, $39.99/month for Pro.

APILE is a focused, credible axial program with a deep method library — but it is one license in a family you must assemble (LPILE for lateral, SHAFT for drilled shafts, GROUP for groups). PileCalc's argument is the workflow: the same pile analyzed axially and laterally, in one browser tab, with the load-transfer curves visible.

Platform: Windows desktop (USB key / network license)
Pricing: ≈ $950 perpetual ($1,350 Offshore) + $143/yr maintenance
Scope: Axial capacity & settlement of driven piles

What Ensoft APILE does well

Side-by-side capacity comparison across API, FHWA, USACE and Lambda methods
Offshore edition adds the modern CPT-based methods (Unified CPT, ICP, UWA, NGI)
LRFD resistance factors per layer and neutral-plane downdrag analysis

Where PileCalc is different

Axial, lateral, groups, shafts and footings in one tool — APILE is axial-only
Neutral-plane downdrag analysis included, plus torsion, capacity-vs-length sweeps and buckling APILE doesn't cover
Runs in any browser on any OS — no dongle, no separate license per analysis type
The full t-z / q-w load–settlement curve exposed and exportable by default; REST API and Excel integration
Free tier and $39.99/month, priced in the open

Capability

PileCalc

LPILE

AllPile

RSPile

Runs in any browser — no install, no USB dongle

Built-in explanations on every input

Lateral p-y analysis

Pushover sweeps, nonlinear EI & buckling

Partial

Axial capacity, settlement & capacity vs length

Downdrag / neutral plane

Partial

Torsional capacity

Helical piles (AC358 torque)

Drilled shafts

Shallow footings

Pile groups (efficiency & p-multipliers)

Rigid-cap 6-DOF group distribution

Separate product (GROUP)

Foundation stiffness springs for structural models

REST API & Excel integration

Scripting only

Shareable cloud projects

Validated vs LPILE & RSPile

—

self-stated

vs LPILE

Pricing

Transparent

$1,200

$950

$1,099/yr

The numbers, published

PileCalc's engine is checked term-by-term against the reference codes. A representative sample of the benchmarks — every intermediate value is visible in the app so you can reproduce them yourself.

Benchmark

Quantity

PileCalc

Reference

Agreement

Free-head pile (EI 1.43×10⁶, D 1 m, L 24.4 m)Liang et al. (2014) exact solution / RSPile

Max moment

792.2 kN·m

792.1 kN·m (exact)

within 0.1%

Fixed-head pile (EI 1.43×10⁶, D 1 m, L 24.4 m)Liang et al. (2014) exact solution / RSPile

Head moment

−581.1 kN·m

−581.0 kN·m (exact)

within 0.1%

Cantilever pile (EI 320, D 0.1 m, L 5.25 m)Liang et al. (2014) exact solution / RSPile

Head deflection

8.75 mm

8.750 mm (exact)

within 0.1%

Cantilever pile (EI 320, D 0.1 m, L 5.25 m)Liang et al. (2014) exact solution / RSPile

Max moment

2.335 kN·m

2.334 kN·m (exact)

within 0.1%

Circular pile, API sand (D 0.5 m, L 10 m, H 100 kN)RSPile verification manual

Deflection & moment profile

RSPile 2018 problems #1/#2/#8/#15

chart-reading tolerance

within 1–3%

Steel pile, multi-layer slope stabilization (17 m)RSPile / TZPile / LPile

Lateral resistance

607 kN

582 kN

within ~4%

Read how we validate — and why against two independent codes

PileCalc vs APILE: common questions

Switching from APILE? See the APILE alternative guide

Run the comparison yourself

Open the same pile in PileCalc and see the result in your browser in under a minute.

Launch the app