Comparison

Codon One vs PDB Viewer

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

Head to head
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.

About

PDB Viewer

Features
Read full description

PDB Viewer turns your phone into a molecular microscope. Search the entire Protein Data Bank and over 200 million AlphaFold predictions, then explore any protein, virus, drug, or DNA structure in interactive 3D — free, with no account, no ads, and no sign-up. WHERE THE MOLECULES COME FROM • RCSB Protein Data Bank — 200,000+ experimentally determined structures • AlphaFold — 200M+ AI-predicted protein models • SWISS-MODEL — template-based homology models • PubChem and ChEMBL — millions of drugs and compounds • Crystallography Open Database — small-molecule crystals • NCI/CADD resolver — type a chemical name and get a 3D model Every source is free and needs no API key. You can also open your own .pdb and .cif files. WAYS TO SEE IT • Five representations: wireframe, ball-and-stick, space-filling (CPK), cartoon/ribbon, and a smooth molecular surface • Color by element, chain, secondary structure, rainbow, or AlphaFold confidence (pLDDT) • Biological assemblies: rebuild an entire icosahedral virus capsid from a few deposited chains • NMR ensembles: overlay every model in the bundle to watch a protein flex • Automatic secondary-structure detection MADE FOR TOUCH • Rotate, pinch-zoom, and pan with smooth native rendering • Tap any atom to see its element, residue, and chain • Recently viewed structures are cached, so they reopen instantly and work offline For students, researchers, teachers, and the simply curious. PDB Viewer makes structural biology beautiful and accessible. Structures are provided by their respective databases. PDB Viewer is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the RCSB PDB, EMBL-EBI, or AlphaFold.

Screenshots

Codon One4 screens
PDB Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

Codon One and PDB Viewer are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 and PDB Viewer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Codon One ships an update every 3 weeks, PDB Viewer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
Codon One versus PDB Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCodon OnePDB Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (24 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews76.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings24 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size277 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniel GebertQvyshift LLC

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
1 purchases

PDB Viewer

One-time1
  • PDB Viewer Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Codon One free?
Codon One is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PDB Viewer free?
PDB Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Codon One or PDB Viewer have ads?
Neither Codon One nor PDB Viewer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Codon One or PDB Viewer?
Codon One ships an update every 3 weeks, and PDB Viewer monthly. Most recently, Codon One was updated on October 10, 2026 and PDB Viewer on October 16, 2026.

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