Welding Apps for Practice, Beginners, and Hobby Welders
Compare welding apps by what they actually help with: weld photo feedback, practice coaching, machine settings, calculators, lessons, and pricing.
DimeVision checks a photo of a real bead. 3 free scans a day.
Short answer: DimeVision checks a photo of a real bead and suggests what to change on the next pass. Free is 3 scans a day. Pro is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year. Fronius WeldConnect and Miller's calculator cover machine settings, Welding Pro covers job and filler-metal calculators, and SkillCat offers mobile welding lessons.
Pricing: Free includes 3 scans a day, plus calculators, BeadBuilder, Learning Center, and 5 Danny Dime messages per day. Pro Monthly is $4.99/month and Pro Annual is $29.99/year. On Pro, save scans to your logbook and portfolio, plus Danny text chat past the free daily cap.
No welding app replaces time on the machine or a code inspection. A practical stack is a photo check, a settings calculator, and your own judgment on the next pass: DimeVision for a photo of the bead, and a calculator for setup.
Photo to weld feedback in seconds
DimeVision checks a photo of a real bead. It calls out visible issues and what to change on the next pass. It is a practice aid, not a certification or an inspection.
Free tier: 3 scans a day, plus calculators, BeadBuilder, Learning Center, and 5 Danny Dime messages per day. Pro Monthly: $4.99/month. Pro Annual: $29.99/year. On Pro, save scans to your logbook and portfolio, plus Danny text chat past the free daily cap.
Quick Comparison
| App | Use | Price | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DimeVision | Photo of a real bead | Free / $4.99/mo / $29.99/yr | ✓ | — |
| Welding Pro | Cost, parameters, filler metal | Free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Fronius WeldConnect | Parameters for Fronius systems | Free | ✓ | ✓ |
| Miller Calculator | MIG, Stick, and TIG settings | Free | ✓ | ✓ |
| SkillCat | Mobile welding lessons | $10/mo or $96/yr | ✓ | ✓ |
What Matters When You Compare Welding Apps
This guide groups apps by job. A useful welding app should help you see what happened on the last bead or look up a starting setting.
- Feedback loop: does the app help you evaluate an actual practice weld?
- Setup support: does it help with starting settings, process choice, or parameter checks?
- Honest limits: does it say it is a practice aid, not a certification or an inspection?
- Beginner clarity: are the recommendations specific enough to act on in the booth?
DimeVision is our app, so we call that out plainly. Photo feedback, calculators, and lessons do different jobs.
1. DimeVision — Photo feedback on a real bead
DimeVision
AI-powered weld analysis from photos
What it does: Take a photo of your weld and get practice feedback: defect callouts, a likely cause, and what to change on the next pass.
Key Features:
- 📸 Take a photo → Get instant analysis
- 🎯 Next-pass note: what to change before you run another bead
- 🔍 Detects defects: Porosity, undercut, overlap, etc.
- 💬 AI coaching: Specific tips to improve
- 📊 On Pro, save scans to your logbook and portfolio, plus Danny text chat past the free daily cap
- 🧪 BeadBuilder: Practice welding parameters in a browser simulator
✅ Pros
- Analyzes real weld photos instead of only giving generic settings
- Useful when you want another look at a bead you already welded
- Free includes 3 scans a day
- Explains defects and likely next-pass fixes in plain language
❌ Cons
- Requires good lighting for best results
- Pro is needed to save scans to your logbook and portfolio, and for Danny text chat past the free daily cap
- Not a substitute for a qualified inspection or the code the job requires
Who it's for: People learning or practicing on their own, including hobbyists and self-taught welders
Price: Free includes 3 scans a day, plus calculators, BeadBuilder, Learning Center, and 5 Danny Dime messages per day. Pro Monthly is $4.99/month and Pro Annual is $29.99/year. On Pro, save scans to your logbook and portfolio, plus Danny text chat past the free daily cap.
Try DimeVision Free
Get instant AI feedback on your welds. No credit card required.
📱 Download for iOSTry the web weld rating page, review the welding training workflow, or open BeadBuilder welding simulator.
Android coming soon
2. Welding Pro — Calculators and filler metal
Welding Pro (by Certilas)
Cost, parameter, and filler-metal lookup from Certilas
Key Features:
- 📏 Welding cost calculator for labor, filler metal, and gas
- ⚙️ Parameter settings for wire speed, volts, and travel speed
- 🔍 Filler-metal search by AWS or EN ISO, plus brand equivalents
- 📄 EN 10204 certificate finder
✅ Pros
- Free on the App Store and Google Play
- Cost and parameter tools are in the publisher's own listing
- Covers steel, aluminum, and stainless in the parameter tool
❌ Cons
- The App Store listing is English only
- Does not check a photo of a finished bead
Who it's for: Welders who need cost, parameter, and filler-metal lookup
Price: Free
3. Fronius WeldConnect — Parameters for Fronius systems
Fronius WeldConnect
Official Fronius app for parameters and jobs on current Fronius systems
Key Features:
- ⚙️ Wizard for MIG/MAG and TIG parameters
- 📋 Save, edit, and send jobs to a connected Fronius system
- 🔗 Device information and keyless login without an NFC card
- 🌐 Free on iOS and Android, in many languages
✅ Pros
- Published by Fronius
- Free
- Wireless job transfer, including Bluetooth, on current Fronius systems
❌ Cons
- Job transfer and login are for connected Fronius systems
- Does not check a photo of a finished bead
Who it's for: People using current Fronius welding systems
Price: Free
4. Miller Weld Setting Calculator — Setting reference
Miller Weld Setting Calculator
Free setting reference from Miller Electric
Key Features:
- 🔧 Suggested settings from a few questions
- ⚡ Weld parameters, electrode or wire type, and basic technique notes
- 📱 Covers TIG, Stick, and MIG
- Free on iOS and Android
Who it's for: People who want a free MIG, Stick, or TIG setting reference
Price: Free
5. SkillCat — Mobile lessons
SkillCat
Mobile trade lessons, including a welding catalog
Key Features:
- 🎓 Welding page lists Welding Basics, blueprint reading for welders, and SMAW
- 🧊 3D simulations, available on mobile
- 📅 Month-to-month payments
Who it's for: People who want mobile lessons. SkillCat's separate "Intro to Welding" course is about joining plastics, not a metal-welding certificate.
Price: The SkillCat app lists $10 a month or $96 a year. The welding page does not publish a separate free plan.
Which Welding App Should You Choose?
If you're learning to weld:
DimeVision for weld feedback and SkillCat for structured lessons. Use Rate My Weld after each practice bead so you can fix one visible issue before the next pass.
If you're a professional welder:
Welding Pro (free cost and filler-metal calculators) + DimeVision (a photo of the bead)
If you own Fronius equipment:
Fronius WeldConnect (essential)
If you're on a budget:
DimeVision Free for 3 scans a day, Miller Calculator for quick settings, and Fronius WeldConnect if you use Fronius equipment.
If you want a second look at a bead you already welded:
Check a photo in DimeVision. It is a practice aid, not an inspection. Free is 3 scans a day.
FAQ
What's the best free welding app?
DimeVision, Fronius WeldConnect, and the Miller Weld Setting Calculator are free to start. DimeVision checks a photo of a real bead, with 3 scans a day. WeldConnect and Miller's calculator are for starting settings.
Can a welding app replace hands-on practice?
No app replaces time on the machine or a code inspection. DimeVision is a practice aid for a photo of a real bead, not an inspection.
Are welding apps worth paying for?
If the app saves time or gives clearer feedback on a practice bead, paying can make sense. DimeVision Pro is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year. Welding Pro's own listing is free and covers cost and filler-metal calculators.
How much does DimeVision cost?
Free includes 3 scans a day, plus calculators, BeadBuilder, Learning Center, and 5 Danny Dime messages per day. Pro Monthly is $4.99/month. Pro Annual is $29.99/year.
Which app is best for beginners?
For a photo of a practice bead, start with DimeVision (3 free scans a day). Add the Miller calculator for settings and SkillCat if you want mobile lessons.
Bottom Line
The welding app landscape in 2026 is actually pretty good. You have options whether you're a hobbyist, self-taught, or already welding for a living.
For a photo of a practice bead, start with DimeVision Free (3 scans a day). Add a calculator for settings.
A useful welding app shortens the loop between one practice bead and the next. If it helps you see the issue, change one thing, and try again, it is doing its job.
Check a photo of your bead
DimeVision checks a photo of a real bead. 3 free scans a day. Pro is $4.99 a month or $29.99 a year.
Android coming soon • Or try it in your browser: rate my weld