Comparison

Functional Groups vs Chem AI

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

Head to head
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!

About

Chem AI

Instantly solve any chemistry problem with step-by-step explanations. Upload or photograph your questions, and get detailed solutions for various chemistry topics, from high school to advanced research. Offers a free trial before subscription.

Highlights
  • Photo recognition for chemistry problems
  • Step-by-step solution explanations
  • Supports high school to doctoral research topics
  • Detailed math solutions
  • Copy and share solutions
Features
Read full description

Solve any chemistry problem ASAP with Chem AI, a step-by-step chemistry solver app! Download now for FREE. Got a tricky chemistry question? Need instant step-by-step explanations? Chem AI is here to save you. We got you covered for multiple choice, word, diagram, math, or any chemistry problem. Just upload or take a photo of your chemistry problem, and Chem AI instantly recognizes it and helps you solve it with a thorough explanation. KEY FEATURES - Upload or take a photo of a handwritten or digital chemistry problem. - Copy and share the detailed solutions. - Topics cover all types of chemistry, from high school to doctoral research. - Math solutions are provided with detailed steps. - We provide a free trial to test out the app. Subscription Required To continue accessing all features of Chem AI, a subscription is required. By using Chem AI, you accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Privacy Policy: https://zipoapps.com/chemaiios/privacy/ Terms: https://zipoapps.com/chemaiios/terms/

Screenshots

Functional Groups4 screens
Chem AI4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Functional Groups at 100% against Chem AI's 20%. Functional Groups also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and rating (4.9 vs 4.4). Chem AI's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (818 vs 21). On price, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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 and Chem AI sells 15 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Functional Groups holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Chem AI has 818 ratings behind it against 21, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Functional Groups's written reviews are positive against 20% of Chem AI's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Functional Groups ships an update every 4 months, Chem AI fortnightly. Both last shipped on September 13, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Functional Groups versus Chem AI: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFunctional GroupsChem AI
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (21 ratings) — better4.4 (818 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better20.0% of reviews
Number of ratings21818 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB149 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperClarity ApplicationsZipoApps

Customer experience

Functional Groups

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

Chem AI

All ratings818 ratings
Positive83.5%
Neutral3.1%
Negative13.4%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative75.0%

Bugs and requests

Functional Groups

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Chem AI

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Freezes or goes blank when trying to get answers
  • Incompatible with some chemistry problems

Requested features

3 requests
  • Improve accuracy for organic chemistry and physical chemistry
  • Add step-by-step explanations for free users
  • Improve subscription management and cancellation process

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Functional Groups

One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$9.99
15 purchases

Chem AI

Subscriptions15
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$0.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$3.997 Days
Show 12 more
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Chem AI - Chem Solver Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$6.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$7.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$8.997 Days
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$9.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$19.991 Month
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial2 variants$29.991 Year
  • Chem AI - Chem Solver Yearly$34.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$39.991 Year
  • Unlimited Access3 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is Functional Groups free?
Functional Groups is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Chem AI free?
Chem AI is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Functional Groups or Chem AI?
Functional Groups is rated higher. Functional Groups averages 4.9 out of 5 from 21 ratings, while Chem AI averages 4.4 from 818 ratings.
Do Functional Groups or Chem AI have ads?
Chem AI shows ads; Functional Groups does not.
Which is updated more often, Functional Groups or Chem AI?
Functional Groups ships an update every 4 months, and Chem AI fortnightly. Most recently, Functional Groups was updated on September 13, 2026 and Chem AI on September 13, 2026.

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