PileCalc
All comparisons
PileCalc vs LPILE

Everything LPILE computes — in your browser, for a fraction of the price.

PileCalc runs the same public-domain FHWA COM624P p-y method, validated to within a few percent of LPILE itself — no Windows, no dongle, $29/month instead of a ~$1,200 perpetual license.

LPILE is the benchmark the whole market trusts, and for specialized lateral work it remains the safe choice. PileCalc runs the same public-domain method — validated against LPILE itself — in the browser, with a modern UI and far broader scope.

Platform
Windows desktop (USB dongle / network license)
Pricing
≈ $1,200 perpetual + annual maintenance
Scope
Lateral (p-y) only

What LPILE does well

  • Four decades of field calibration and an enormous installed base
  • The de-facto reference implementation of the p-y method
  • Deep load-case management, pushover and plastic-hinge modeling

Where PileCalc is different

  • Runs in any browser — no Windows, no dongle, no license server
  • Same COM624P method, validated to within a few percent of LPILE
  • Every input explained inline; curves and full response always visible
  • Also covers axial, groups, drilled shafts and footings — LPILE is lateral-only

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.

Free-head pile (EI 1.43×10⁶, D 1 m, L 24.4 m)RSPile / LPile
Max moment
792 kN·m
≈ 800 kN·m
within ~1%
Cantilever pile (EI 320, D 0.1 m, L 5.25 m)RSPile / analytical
Head deflection
8.75 mm
≈ 9 mm
within ~3%
Cantilever pile (EI 320, D 0.1 m, L 5.25 m)RSPile / analytical
Max moment
2.34 kN·m
≈ 2.4 kN·m
within ~3%
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
582 kN
582 kN
within ~4%
Read how we validate — and why against two independent codes

PileCalc vs LPILE: common questions

Switching from LPILE? See the LPILE alternative guideRead the full write-up

Run the comparison yourself

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

Launch the app