ModelAR vs Functional Groups
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Create and explore 3D organic molecules
- Augmented reality interaction
- Intuitive drag-and-drop building
- Stereochemistry visualization
- Variety of molecule experimentation
- Simple and clean design
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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!
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.
- 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
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Functional Groups sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ModelAR asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | ModelAR | Functional Groups |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.5 (11 ratings) | 4.9 (21 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 70.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 21 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 4 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 118 MB | 17 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alchemie Solutions, Inc | Clarity Applications |
Customer experience
ModelAR
Functional Groups
In-app purchases
ModelAR
No in-app purchases
Functional Groups
- Lifetime Access$9.99
Questions
Is ModelAR free?
Is Functional Groups free?
Which has better reviews, ModelAR or Functional Groups?
Do ModelAR or Functional Groups have ads?
Which is updated more often, ModelAR or Functional Groups?
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