Comparison

iMolview vs Element symbol

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

Element symbol

This app helps users memorize element symbols and names through interactive flashcards and input exercises. You can customize the learning experience by selecting specific elements to focus on.

Highlights
  • Memorize element symbols and names
  • Flashcard mode
  • Input exercises
  • Customizable element selection
  • Supports iPhone, iPad, and iPod
Features
Read full description

This application supports memorization of element symbols and element names. Main functions There are two modes: one is to memorize while flipping through the cards, and the other is to input the element symbols and names. You can set the elements you want to memorize.

Screenshots

iMolview1 screens
Element symbol1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Element symbol at 5.0 against iMolview's 3.6. Element symbol also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 79%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). iMolview's advantage is monetization model (free vs paid) and ratings volume (13 vs 1). 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 Element symbol $0.49 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Element symbol holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iMolview has 13 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of iMolview's written reviews are positive against 100% of Element symbol's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iMolview ships an update every 2 months, Element symbol every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
iMolview versus Element symbol: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriMolviewElement symbol
Price$0.99$0.49 — better
Rating3.6 (13 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings13 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.5
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB1 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperMolsoftKouichi INAFUKU

Customer experience

iMolview

All ratings13 ratings
Positive61.5%
Neutral7.7%
Negative30.8%
Written reviews38 reviews
Positive78.9%
Neutral2.6%
Negative18.4%

Element symbol

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

iMolview

No in-app purchases

None

Element symbol

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is iMolview free?
iMolview costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Element symbol free?
Element symbol costs $0.49, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, iMolview or Element symbol?
Element symbol is rated higher. iMolview averages 3.6 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while Element symbol averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do iMolview or Element symbol have ads?
Neither iMolview nor Element symbol shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iMolview or Element symbol?
iMolview ships an update every 2 months, and Element symbol every 3 weeks. Most recently, iMolview was updated on November 6, 2026 and Element symbol on November 3, 2026.

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