Comparison

Protein Guide vs Codon One

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Protein Guide

Explore the intricate stages of protein structure with detailed diagrams, explanations, and animations. This app serves as a valuable reference for both beginners and experienced individuals, offering insights into unique properties and biological functions.

Highlights
  • Detailed diagrams of protein structure
  • Explanations of protein stages
  • Animations of protein structures
  • Information on unique properties and functions
  • Example proteins demonstrating structural aspects
  • ClassKit integration for teachers
Features
Read full description

Learn about each stage of a proteins structure with detailed diagrams and explanations. This is a great experience if you are just starting out and need to learn about proteins, or if you have lots of experience and want a handy reference with you wherever you go. Protein Guide has a great selection of example proteins to look at, with each demonstrating an aspect of protein structure. There is also more detailed info about the protein, describing unique properties, as well as its function in biological systems. There is also an animation of the proteins' itself to highlight its unique structure. Protein Guide takes advantage of the full iPad canvas. It also supports multitasking, with slide-over and split-view (requires iPad Air 2 and later). This means you can have your protein examples up, while reading or taking notes. Teachers can assign things to read for students in Protein Guide easily with ClassKit.

About

Codon One

Master molecular biology, genetics, evolution, and life chemistry through interactive modules and quizzes. Explore essential concepts with clear diagrams and concise explanations. Includes helpful tools for sequence analysis and genetic code reference.

Highlights
  • Interactive learning modules
  • Quick quizzes for comprehension
  • Clear diagrams and plain language
  • Molecule reference guide
  • Sequence analysis tools
  • Genetic code exploration
Features
Read full description

Codon One helps you learn biology step by step, with short lessons, quick quizzes, flashcards, and a searchable glossary. Build a solid foundation in molecular biology, genetics, evolution, cell biology, development, and the history of science. Each section breaks complex ideas into clear explanations, diagrams, and focused checks for understanding. Core course (Modules) Module 1: Chemistry of Life – atoms & elements, bonds, water, pH, biomolecules Module 2: Genetics – chromosomes, replication, transcription, translation, regulation Module 3: Evolution – history of life, phylogeny, selection, drift, speciation, molecular evolution Module 4: History of Science – ideas, methods, and experiments that shaped modern biology Module 5: Cell Biology – membranes & transport, organelles & energy, cytoskeleton, signaling, cell division Module 6: Development – fertilization & body plans, differentiation, pattern formation & morphogenesis, growth & repair, evo-devo Additional topics are planned for future updates, including Animal Physiology, Microbiology & Immunology, Plant Biology, and more. Glossary & Flashcards Look up the essentials in one place - key terms from every module, plus the 20 amino acids and the nucleobases. Turn any topic into a flashcard deck and review with smart, spaced practice that focuses on the cards you find hardest. Quiz & Progress Practice across biochemistry, genetics, evolution, cell biology, development, and science history in a dedicated quiz area. Track improvement with success rates and per-topic stats, and let the app resurface your weak questions for targeted review. Keep a daily streak going to build a steady habit. Got a good question? Submit it directly from the app. Built-in Tools Sequence Operator: paste DNA, reverse or complement it, transcribe to RNA, translate in all six reading frames, and view length, GC content, and melting temperature. Codon Picker: explore the genetic code, see which codons map to each amino acid or stop signal, and tweak bases to see the effect. Triplet Encoder: write a message in amino-acid single-letter code and encode it as a DNA triplet sequence, then decode it by translation. Found a bug or have suggestions? Email info@codon-one.com - we read every message.

Screenshots

Protein Guide4 screens
Codon One4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Protein Guide at none against Codon One's 7. Protein Guide also leads on rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). Codon One's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 9 months) and review sentiment (76% vs 50%). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Codon One sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Protein Guide asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Protein Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 45 and 24 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Protein Guide's written reviews are positive against 76% of Codon One's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Protein Guide ships an update every 9 months, Codon One every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Protein Guide versus Codon One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProtein GuideCodon One
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (45 ratings) — better4.5 (24 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews76.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings45 — better24
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size224 MB277 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAxton PittDaniel Gebert

Customer experience

Protein Guide

All ratings36 ratings
Positive97.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Codon One

All ratings24 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews17 reviews
Positive76.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative23.5%

In-app purchases

None

Protein Guide

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Codon One

One-time7
  • Module 1: Chemistry of LifeFree
  • Module 2: Genetics$2.99
  • Module 3: Evolution$2.99
Show 4 more
  • Module 4: Science History$2.99
  • Module 5: Cell Biology$2.99
  • Module 6: Development$2.99
  • Unlock All$8.99

Questions

Is Protein Guide free?
Protein Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Codon One free?
Codon One is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Protein Guide or Codon One?
Protein Guide is rated higher. Protein Guide averages 4.8 out of 5 from 45 ratings, while Codon One averages 4.5 from 24 ratings.
Do Protein Guide or Codon One have ads?
Neither Protein Guide nor Codon One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Protein Guide or Codon One?
Protein Guide ships an update every 9 months, and Codon One every 3 weeks. Most recently, Protein Guide was updated on October 24, 2026 and Codon One on October 24, 2026.

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