Is there a browser-based alternative to Ensoft SHAFT?

Yes. PileCalc implements the same FHWA-IF-99-025 drilled-shaft methods — α-method clay, β-method sand, rock sockets and belled-base uplift — entirely in the browser, with a free tier. It also runs the lateral p-y analysis of the same shaft, which SHAFT leaves to a separate LPILE license.

Does PileCalc use the same drilled-shaft methods as SHAFT?

Both implement the FHWA drilled-shaft procedures (O'Neill & Reese / FHWA-IF-99-025): α side resistance in clay, depth-dependent β in sand, and Horvath & Kenney-style rock-socket resistance. PileCalc shows every intermediate value so the two can be checked against each other line by line.

How current is SHAFT?

The current release is SHAFT 2023 (v9) as of Ensoft's April 2026 price list — a slower cadence than LPILE and APILE, which both carry 2026 versions. PileCalc ships continuously in the browser, with the changelog public.

All comparisons

PileCalc vs Ensoft SHAFT

FHWA drilled-shaft design — axial and lateral, one browser tab.

The same FHWA-IF-99-025 methods SHAFT implements — α and β side resistance, rock sockets, belled bases — plus the lateral p-y run SHAFT can't do, in your browser. Free to try, $39.99/month for Pro.

SHAFT and PileCalc implement the same FHWA drilled-shaft methods. The difference is the workflow and the cadence: SHAFT is a Windows/USB-key license last versioned in 2023, sized axially only — the lateral run needs LPILE. PileCalc does the axial and lateral design of the same shaft in one browser session.

Platform: Windows desktop (USB key / network license)
Pricing: ≈ $950 perpetual + $143/yr maintenance
Scope: Axial capacity & settlement of drilled shafts

What Ensoft SHAFT does well

Faithful implementation of the FHWA drilled-shaft canon (O'Neill & Reese, GEC-10)
Rock, IGM, gravel and decomposed-rock side resistance plus belled (underreamed) shafts
Multi-diameter comparison runs for rapid sizing studies

Where PileCalc is different

The same FHWA-IF-99-025 α / β / rock-socket methods, in your browser
Lateral response of the same shaft in the same tool — SHAFT needs a separate LPILE license
Belled-base uplift, exclusion zones and every intermediate value visible
Free tier and $39.99/month, on any OS

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 SHAFT: common questions

Switching from SHAFT? See the SHAFT 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