Comparison

ModelAR vs Functional Groups

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

Head to head
About

ModelAR

Explore and build 3D chemical structures in real space with augmented reality. This tool transforms complex organic chemistry concepts into an interactive and playful learning experience, offering an immersive alternative to traditional study methods.

Highlights
  • Create and explore 3D organic molecules
  • Augmented reality interaction
  • Intuitive drag-and-drop building
  • Stereochemistry visualization
  • Variety of molecule experimentation
  • Simple and clean design
Features
Read full description

ModelAR by Alchemie is a powerful 3D modeling tool for students looking to practice organic chemistry. You can explore chemical structures by creating a molecule on the workspace and quickly toggle to pop into AR. This Augmented Reality feature allows you to interact with virtual molecules in real space. ModelAR brings chemistry to life. Gestures are simple and intuitive! Simply drag an atom from the side bar onto the main workspace to start building. Drag between atoms to create new chemical bonds. Swipe to rotate molecule and spin bonds quickly. Explore perspectives with our focus tool. Once you’re done, reset your screen in a spectacular explosion! ModelAR is a great way to supplement your organic chemistry learning materials. No other study tool or app provides a truly immersive, 3D method to build and manipulate molecules & chemical structures. • Create & explore organic molecules in real space • Transform tough organic chemistry concepts like stereochemistry into play • A truly interactive way to improve your understanding of chemical structures • Experiment with a wide variety of molecules • Easy toggle into AR from workspace • Simple & clean design • Intuitive controls & gestures • Playful rhythms & sounds Download ModelAR today & make organic chemistry a fun experience! Break up with your plastic model set!

About

Functional Groups

Master organic chemistry functional groups through an engaging and interactive learning experience. Ideal for students in introductory or advanced courses, MCAT prep, and A-Level chemistry, this app covers dozens of essential groups with practice modes and progress tracking.

Highlights
  • 25+ basic and advanced functional groups
  • 300+ organic compounds
  • Multiple practice modes
  • Customizable study groups
  • Personalized review
  • Reference table and definitions
  • Progress tracking with achievements
Features
Read full description

Ready to ace organic chemistry? Learn the functional groups you need to know - all in an engaging and interactive format. The app is ideal for introductory or advanced organic chemistry classes, MCAT prep, A-Level chemistry, and more. You’ll quickly become familiar with alcohols, esters, amides, amines, and dozens of other important functional groups. The app features: • 25+ basic and advanced functional groups • 300+ organic compounds • Multiple practice modes • Customize which groups to study • Personalized review • Reference table and definitions • Achievements to track your progress Along the way, you’ll learn interesting facts about pharmaceuticals, biomolecules, dangerous compounds, unique molecular structures, and more. With the Functional Groups app, learning organic chemistry is easy, straightforward, and, dare we say… fun? Give it a try and let us know what you think!

Screenshots

ModelAR4 screens
Functional Groups4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Functional Groups at 4.9 against ModelAR's 3.5. Functional Groups also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 70%). ModelAR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Functional Groups sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ModelAR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Functional Groups holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 21 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of ModelAR's written reviews are positive against 100% of Functional Groups's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ModelAR ships an update every 6 months, Functional Groups every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ModelAR versus Functional Groups: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterModelARFunctional Groups
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (11 ratings)4.9 (21 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1121 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 4 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size118 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlchemie Solutions, IncClarity Applications

Customer experience

ModelAR

All ratings11 ratings
Positive63.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative36.4%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative30.0%

Functional Groups

All ratings21 ratings
Positive95.2%
Neutral4.8%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

ModelAR

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Functional Groups

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$9.99

Questions

Is ModelAR free?
ModelAR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Functional Groups free?
Functional Groups is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ModelAR or Functional Groups?
Functional Groups is rated higher. ModelAR averages 3.5 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Functional Groups averages 4.9 from 21 ratings.
Do ModelAR or Functional Groups have ads?
Neither ModelAR nor Functional Groups shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ModelAR or Functional Groups?
ModelAR ships an update every 6 months, and Functional Groups every 4 months. Most recently, ModelAR was updated on June 1, 2026 and Functional Groups on September 13, 2026.

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