Comparison

iMolview vs PhET Simulations

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

Head to head
About

iMolview

Explore biological molecules in 3D. View proteins, DNA, and drug structures from major databases. Customize representations, select specific elements, and analyze molecular interactions. Sync your own files and save scenes for later.

Highlights
  • 3D molecular visualization
  • Browse PDB, DrugBank, Pubchem
  • Customizable representations
  • Individual element coloring
  • Neighbor analysis
  • Electron density map contouring
  • Scene saving and management
Features
Read full description

Explore the fascinating world of biological macromolecules: iMolview lets you browse and view in 3D protein and DNA structures from Protein Data Bank, drug molecules from DrugBank, and small molecules from Pubchem. Search for drug names like 'ibuprofen' or 'gefitinib' in DrugBank, or proteins like 'insulin' or 'thyroid receptor' in PDB. Information associated with each molecule in these databases is also at your fingertips. Sync and view your own structure files via iTunes. Molecular view can be customized with a rich set of molecular representations (wires, balls-and-sticks, space filling, ribbon diagrams, molecular surfaces) and various coloring schemes. Select residues, atoms or chains and color or change their representations individually. Select 'neighbors' of a ligand or any other selection to identify interacting atoms or residues. Set 'inertia' to the maximum and let your molecule spin in 3D indefinitely. Save the current scene (viewpoint + representation) as a slide which can be easily accessed later. Save the whole molecular document with multiple slides. Load and contour electron density map

About

PhET Simulations

Explore science and math concepts through interactive simulations. This app provides over 75 HTML5 simulations for learning about atoms, energy, multiplication, and more. It's ideal for students, parents, and educators, offering offline access and multiple language support.

Highlights
  • Interactive science and math simulations
  • Offline play capability
  • Multiple language support
  • Customizable favorites collection
  • Automatic simulation updates
  • Easy simulation sorting
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Engage in learning science and math with the award-winning PhET simulations! Whether understanding atoms, exploring energy, or mastering multiplication, there is a sim for every learner. Perfect for at home, in class, or on the road, this app delivers all PhET HTML5 sims (over 75 sims) in one easy-to-use package. Developed by experts at the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET sims are used by millions of students every year. The PhET iPad app delivers these exclusive features: • Offline play: learn on the bus or at the park without a WiFi connection. • Multiple languages: app translate in many languages (great for bilingual learners). • Favorites: pick your favorite sims and create your own custom collection. • Automatic updates: get the latest HTML5 sims as soon as they are released. • Easy sorting: find the right sims for you. • Fullscreen: maximize your screen real estate for optimal sim exploration. PARENTS: Engage your child in science and math discovery. TEACHERS: Your favorite HTML5 sims at your fingertips, even without internet access. ADMINISTRATORS: Optimized for school use, so your teachers will be seamlessly up to date. STUDENTS: Tell your parents there’s an exciting app for learning science and math. Note: The app does not include PhET’s Java or Flash sims. In addition, although we are currently working on improving the accessibility of our sims, most of the sims included in this app do not include keyboard navigation or screen reader access. As accessible sims become available, they will be updated within the app. Proceeds from the app support the development of more HTML5 sims. On behalf of the PhET team and the students whose lives you have helped improve — Thank you!

Screenshots

iMolview1 screens
PhET Simulations3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PhET Simulations at 4.5 against iMolview's 3.6. PhET Simulations also leads on chart position (#17 vs unranked) and ratings volume (49 vs 13). iMolview's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

iMolview costs $0.99 and PhET Simulations $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PhET Simulations holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 49 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 78% of iMolview's written reviews are positive against 66% of PhET Simulations's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iMolview ships an update every 2 months, PhET Simulations every 14 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
iMolview versus PhET Simulations: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriMolviewPhET Simulations
Price$0.99$0.99
Rating3.6 (13 ratings)4.5 (49 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.1% of reviews — better65.5% of reviews
Number of ratings1349 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#17 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMolsoftUniversity of Colorado Boulder

Customer experience

iMolview

All ratings13 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative30.8%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive78.1%
Neutral3.1%
Negative18.8%

PhET Simulations

All ratings49 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews145 reviews
Positive65.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative30.3%

In-app purchases

None

iMolview

No in-app purchases

None

PhET Simulations

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iMolview free?
iMolview costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is PhET Simulations free?
PhET Simulations costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iMolview or PhET Simulations?
PhET Simulations is rated higher. iMolview averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while PhET Simulations averages 4.5 from 49 ratings.
Do iMolview or PhET Simulations have ads?
Neither iMolview nor PhET Simulations shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iMolview or PhET Simulations?
iMolview ships an update every 2 months, and PhET Simulations every 14 months. Most recently, iMolview was updated on October 1, 2026 and PhET Simulations on October 2, 2026.

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