Comparison

HESSENBOX vs Plasmids X

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

Head to head
About

HESSENBOX

Read full description

With HESSENBOX you can access, edit, and share your data and documents from anywhere - even together with other users, who are easily and securely invited into folders you have shared. The data is automatically encrypted for transport and stored and synchronized to German servers in the cloud in accordance with the European Data Protection Directive, so that it is always up to date and available everywhere. Features: • Automatically transfer data between your devices via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth • Manage your files in the file browser • Organize your team and set access rights for all your shared folders • Have secure mobile access to your current data wherever you are

About

Plasmids X

Design, create, and analyze custom DNA plasmids with this intuitive molecular genetics tool. Supports importing, editing, and sharing plasmids, with powerful in silico analysis features for researchers and students.

Highlights
  • Create plasmids from sequences
  • Import from .dna and Genbank files
  • Edit plasmids by adding features
  • In silico analysis (sequence alignment, PCR, digestion)
  • Share and collaborate on plasmids
Features
Read full description

PlasmidsX is a plasmid editor for iPhone, iPad and Mac. Open your constructs, see them as clear circular and linear maps, read every base with its annotations, and plan restriction digests, all on your device. MAPS AND SEQUENCE • Circular and linear plasmid maps with features, primers and restriction sites. Tap any feature to see its details. • A sequence view with both strands, translations, feature tracks and enzyme sites • Find sequences, select a range by its coordinates and copy exactly what you need ANNOTATE AND ANALYZE • Add, edit, sort and search features and primers • A primer library shared by all your plasmids • Find open reading frames • Restriction analysis with the commercially available enzymes from REBASE, aware of Dam, Dcm and CpG methylation • Digest & Gel: pick enzymes and see the fragments on a virtual agarose gel • Saved versions of every plasmid, so you can go back YOUR LIBRARY • Import GenBank, FASTA, SnapGene (.dna) and ApE files from Files, Mail or any other app • Export FASTA and images of the map and the sequence, or print them • A Home Screen widget with your recent and favorite plasmids • Built for iPhone, iPad and Mac, with keyboard shortcuts, pointer support, Dark Mode, Dynamic Type and VoiceOver PLASMIDSX PRO Viewing, importing, annotating and analyzing are free. A PlasmidsX Pro subscription adds: • Sequence editing: type, paste, cut and delete bases, reverse complement, set the origin • Cloning: restriction and ligation, Gibson Assembly, Golden Gate, Gateway and PCR • Alignment of sequencing reads to your plasmid • BLAST searches and sequence downloads from NCBI • GenBank and SnapGene export PlasmidsX Pro is an auto-renewing subscription, billed monthly or yearly. Payment is charged to your Apple Account when you confirm the purchase. The subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and your account is charged for the renewal within the 24 hours before the period ends. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings. PRIVACY PlasmidsX has no account, no ads and no tracking. Your plasmids stay on your device. Data leaves your device only when you ask: a BLAST search sends your query sequence and contact email to NCBI, and a download from NCBI sends the accession number, your contact email and, if you set one, your NCBI API key. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://aminmahpour.com/privacy_plasmids.html

Screenshots

HESSENBOX4 screens
Plasmids X4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HESSENBOX at none against Plasmids X's 14. HESSENBOX also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 26.0). Plasmids X's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 2 months). On price, 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. Plasmids X sells 14 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. HESSENBOX asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HESSENBOX ships an update every 2 months, Plasmids X monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
HESSENBOX versus Plasmids X: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHESSENBOXPlasmids X
PriceFreeFree
Rating—3.4 (7 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings—7 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPowerFolderAmin Mahpour

In-app purchases

None

HESSENBOX

No in-app purchases

14 purchases

Plasmids X

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly3 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time12
  • A cup of coffee!$1.99
  • Split View Support$1.99
  • Manual Cloning$3.99
Show 9 more
  • In-silico PCR Support$3.99
  • NCBI Entrez Support$3.99
  • Local Alignment Support$3.99
  • A box of joe!$4.99
  • BLAST Support$4.99
  • ApE File Support$4.99
  • Genbank Support$4.99
  • dna File Support$5.99
  • All Features$24.99

Questions

Is HESSENBOX free?
HESSENBOX is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Plasmids X free?
Plasmids X is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do HESSENBOX or Plasmids X have ads?
Neither HESSENBOX nor Plasmids X shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HESSENBOX or Plasmids X?
HESSENBOX ships an update every 2 months, and Plasmids X monthly. Most recently, HESSENBOX was updated on October 1, 2026 and Plasmids X on October 9, 2026.

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