Comparison

iMolview vs NeuroPhysMatrix

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

NeuroPhysMatrix

Features
Read full description

NeuroPhysMatrix lets you explore neuronal action potentials, firing characteristics, ion channels, optogenetics, synaptic integration, neural circuits, and axon conduction by changing simulation parameters. An optogenetics simulation has been added to celebrate the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine. Change stimulus strength and duration, channel conductance, input location, and connection strength to see how membrane voltage and currents respond. SEVEN SIMULATIONS • Action Potential: Relate membrane voltage to Na⁺ and K⁺ currents, channel states, and ion movement. Explore refractoriness with paired stimuli, strength–duration curves, and recovery from Na⁺ inactivation. • Neuronal Firing Characteristics: Compare firing rate, adaptation, delayed firing, and rebound responses in representative neuron models. • Ion Channels: Use current clamp and voltage clamp to explore the relationship between membrane voltage and 14 representative channels and background currents. • Optogenetics: Compare light stimuli, photocurrents and membrane voltage with excitatory and inhibitory opsins, including ChR2, ArchT, eNpHR3.0 and GtACR2. • Synaptic Integration: Compare how input location, number, strength, timing, and dendritic morphology affect voltage responses. • Neural Circuits: Change excitatory and inhibitory connection strengths and transmission delays. Observe interactions through voltage traces and spike rasters. • Axon Conduction: Explore schematic models of myelinated and unmyelinated conduction and the effects of focal demyelination. KEEP RESULTS IN VIEW Change the time-axis range and observation time to connect waveforms with diagrams. Switch between Settings and Guide to review parameter meanings and key points while exploring results. PRO — ONE-TIME PURCHASE • Edit cell count, wiring, and the stimulated cell in neural circuits. • Edit dendritic branches, parent connections, length, and diameter. • Save and load named conditions, including inputs, in all seven workspaces. • Record experiment conditions and key measurements, compare numerical results, and export CSV. • Adjust action-potential conductances and use comparison features. • Hold ion-channel, optogenetic and dendritic waveforms to compare responses before and after changes. • Unlock five specialized neuron presets. Basic simulations, circuit and dendritic morphology presets, basic settings, and guides are free. Four foundational neuron presets are free; five additional presets are included in Pro. Available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac in 10 languages. Waveforms and diagrams are computational models and schematic representations, not exact reproductions of a particular biological cell or patient. This app is not a medical device and is not intended for diagnosis or treatment.

Screenshots

iMolview1 screens
NeuroPhysMatrix4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NeuroPhysMatrix at Free against iMolview's $0.99. NeuroPhysMatrix also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). iMolview's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). On ads 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

NeuroPhysMatrix is free to download; iMolview costs $0.99 up front. NeuroPhysMatrix sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. iMolview asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iMolview ships an update every 2 months, NeuroPhysMatrix every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
iMolview versus NeuroPhysMatrix: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriMolviewNeuroPhysMatrix
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating3.6 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews78.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMolsoftTakashi Nakano

In-app purchases

None

iMolview

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

NeuroPhysMatrix

One-time1
  • Pro$7.99

Questions

Is iMolview free?
iMolview costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NeuroPhysMatrix free?
NeuroPhysMatrix is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do iMolview or NeuroPhysMatrix have ads?
Neither iMolview nor NeuroPhysMatrix shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iMolview or NeuroPhysMatrix?
iMolview ships an update every 2 months, and NeuroPhysMatrix every 2 weeks. Most recently, iMolview was updated on November 1, 2026 and NeuroPhysMatrix on October 31, 2026.

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