Looking for an EPANET Alternative? Try This Easier Pump Sizing Tool
EPANET is powerful but complex. If you just need pump sizing, TDH, NPSH, and PDF reports, HydroApp Pro does it in 2 minutes with zero learning curve.
Why Engineers Look for EPANET Alternatives
EPANET is the gold standard for water distribution network modeling. Developed by the US EPA, it's free, powerful, and academically respected. But many engineers who download it quickly realize:
- It's overkill for pump sizing. EPANET models entire distribution networks. If you just need to size a pump for a building or industrial system, it's like using a 747 to go to the grocery store.
- The interface is from 2000. No modern UI, no dark mode, no mobile support. The learning curve is steep even for experienced engineers.
- No NPSH analysis. EPANET doesn't calculate NPSH available or compare it against NPSHr. You have to do this manually.
- No PDF reports. You can't generate a professional report to hand to a client. You export data and format it yourself.
- Windows only. No Mac, no Linux, no phone, no tablet.
What You Actually Need (Most of the Time)
For 80% of pump sizing jobs, you need:
- TDH calculation with friction losses and fittings
- Operating point from the pump curve
- NPSH check (cavitation safety)
- A professional report
You do NOT need:
- Steady-state simulation of a 500-node network
- Water quality modeling (chlorine decay, age tracking)
- Extended period simulation
- Fire flow analysis
HydroApp Pro: Built for What You Actually Do
| Feature | EPANET | HydroApp Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | $99 one-time |
| Platform | Windows only | Any browser (phone, tablet, PC) |
| Learning curve | Steep (days-weeks) | Minimal (minutes) |
| TDH calculation | Manual setup required | Automatic |
| Friction methods | Darcy-Weisbach, Hazen-Williams | Both, automatic selection |
| Pump curve interpolation | Basic | Spline with auto operating point |
| NPSH analysis | Not included | Automatic with traffic-light |
| PDF reports | Not included | One-click professional PDF |
| Multi-segment networks | Yes (unlimited) | Yes (practical limit ~50 segments) |
| Water quality | Yes | No |
| Transient analysis | No | No |
| Setup time per project | 30-60 minutes | 2-5 minutes |
When to Use EPANET
EPANET is still the right choice when:
- You're modeling a municipal water distribution network (100+ nodes)
- You need water quality simulation (chlorine, age, trace)
- You're doing extended period simulation (24-hour demand patterns)
- You're working on an academic research project
When to Use HydroApp Pro
HydroApp Pro is the better choice when:
- You need to size a pump for a building, farm, or industrial system
- You need TDH, NPSH, and operating point analysis
- You need a professional PDF report for a client
- You want results in minutes, not hours
- You're working from a phone or tablet on site
The Cost of Free
EPANET is free in price, but expensive in time. Setting up a simple pump sizing problem in EPANET takes 30-60 minutes. In HydroApp Pro, it takes 2-5 minutes. If your time is worth $50/hour, HydroApp Pro pays for itself after 2 projects.
Migration is Instant
There's nothing to migrate. HydroApp Pro is a web app — open the browser, enter your system data, get results. No installation, no files to convert, no training required.
Try HydroApp Pro — pump sizing in 2 minutes. $99 one-time.
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¿Cansado de calcular esto a mano?
HydroApp Pro automatiza todo el calculo hidraulico. TDH, perdidas por friccion, NPSH, punto de operacion y reportes PDF. En 2 minutos.
Probar HydroApp Pro — $99 USD