Comparison

MoleculAR vs leARnCHEM

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

Head to head
About

MoleculAR

Explore molecular geometry through augmented reality. Visualize complex chemical structures and understand difficult concepts without physical models. Request new molecules to be added to the learning experience.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality visualization
  • VSEPR molecular geometry learning
  • Interactive molecule exploration
  • No physical models needed
  • QR code integration
  • Molecule request system
Read full description

MoleculAR is an educational augmented reality app, designed to help students easily learn VSEPR molecular geometry, visualize complicated molecules, and learn difficult-to-imagine aspects of chemistry! We seek to have a streamlined approach to Augmented Reality in Chemical education. Simply print out the QR codes on our website (https://chagunda.github.io/moleculAR/), download this app, and your students can quickly interact with the molecules, with no physical models required. We are always excited to add new molecules as they are requested, to request new molecules be added to the app, see our contact details on the website (https://chagunda.github.io/moleculAR/).

About

leARnCHEM

Features
Read full description

leARnCHEM is an augmented reality mobile application for visualizing chemistry molecules and focuses on molecular orbitals and symmetry. View, animate and interact with symmetry elements of over 50 molecules and test your knowledge of symmetry and point groups with our quizzes. Embedded character tables provide symmetry information at the touch of a button. Place the molecules on any surface or use the targets provided on our website to quickly open a molecule of interest. For instructors, embed the targets in your teaching materials to engage and motivate students to learn. Visualize and interact with the molecular orbitals of simple molecules using interactive molecular orbital diagrams. Whether you are a student, teacher or just have an interest in chemistry, this app has everything you need to learn about symmetry and orbitals. Designed for University level chemistry but is free for all to use. Developed by Marc Zambri and Dr. John De Backere at the University of Toronto. ============================================================ The University of Toronto is the distributor of this application but it does not warrant or assume any legal liability or responsibility for the completeness, or usefulness of any information contained in the application or any websites linked from this application.

Screenshots

MoleculAR3 screens
leARnCHEM4 screens

Verdict

The call

MoleculAR and leARnCHEM 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MoleculAR ships an update every 4 months, leARnCHEM every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and May 16, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
MoleculAR versus leARnCHEM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMoleculARleARnCHEM
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size147 MB437 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJulian LevyUniversity of Toronto

In-app purchases

None

MoleculAR

No in-app purchases

None

leARnCHEM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is MoleculAR free?
MoleculAR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is leARnCHEM free?
leARnCHEM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do MoleculAR or leARnCHEM have ads?
Neither MoleculAR nor leARnCHEM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MoleculAR or leARnCHEM?
MoleculAR ships an update every 4 months, and leARnCHEM every 7 months. Most recently, MoleculAR was updated on September 18, 2026 and leARnCHEM on May 16, 2026.

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