Comparison

Building Atoms and Isotopes vs DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

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

Head to head
About

Building Atoms and Isotopes

Explore the composition of elements by building atoms, ions, and isotopes. Select the correct number of protons, neutrons, and electrons. Includes atomic theory information and an interactive periodic table on iPad.

Highlights
  • Build atoms, ions, and isotopes
  • Select protons, neutrons, and electrons
  • Atomic theory information
  • Interactive periodic table (iPad)
  • Element composition exploration
Features
Read full description

With the Building Atoms, Ions, and Isotopes app, explore the composition of the elements. Build atoms, ions, and isotopes by selecting appropriate numbers of protons, neutrons, and electrons. For reference, this app also includes atomic theory information and a periodic table that is interactive in the iPad version.

About

DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

This app helps students learn and practice forming correct chemical formulas for ionic compounds. It supports a wide range of ions, including polyatomic ones, and dynamically generates formulas with proper subscripts and parentheses. It's designed to reinforce naming rules and charge balancing through an interactive interface.

Highlights
  • Extensive cation and anion list
  • Support for polyatomic ions
  • Real-time formula generation
  • Subscript and parenthesis formatting
  • Reinforces naming rules
  • Charge balancing practice
Features
Read full description

Master Ionic Compounds with Ease The Ionic Compound Builder helps students learn and practice forming correct chemical formulas using a wide range of cations and anions—including polyatomic ions. Simply select a cation and an anion, and the app dynamically generates the proper formula with correct subscripts and parentheses. Designed for high school and college chemistry students, this tool reinforces naming rules and charge balancing through an intuitive, interactive interface. Features: • Extensive built-in list of common cations and anions • Support for monoatomic and polyatomic ions • Real-time chemical formula generation • Proper use of subscripts and parentheses • Visual formatting to emphasize structure and charge Whether you’re learning ionic bonding for the first time or reviewing for an exam, this tool is an essential companion for mastering chemical formulas.

Screenshots

Building Atoms and Isotopes3 screens
DrPhos' Ionic Compounds3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: DrPhos' Ionic Compounds at 100% against Building Atoms and Isotopes's 33%. DrPhos' Ionic Compounds also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 18 months). Building Atoms and Isotopes's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On ads, monetization model 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

Building Atoms and Isotopes costs $1.99 and DrPhos' Ionic Compounds $0.99 up front. DrPhos' Ionic Compounds sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. Building Atoms and Isotopes asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DrPhos' Ionic Compounds holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Building Atoms and Isotopes's written reviews are positive against 100% of DrPhos' Ionic Compounds's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Building Atoms and Isotopes ships an update every 18 months, DrPhos' Ionic Compounds every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Building Atoms and Isotopes versus DrPhos' Ionic Compounds: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBuilding Atoms and IsotopesDrPhos' Ionic Compounds
Price$1.99$0.99 — better
Rating3.5 (2 ratings)4.9 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings28 — better
Update frequencyEvery 18 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB15 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarolina Biological SupplyMonte L Helm

Customer experience

Building Atoms and Isotopes

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Building Atoms and Isotopes

No in-app purchases

11 purchases

DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

One-time11
  • Ionic Compound BuilderFree
  • Science Calculator$0.99
  • Significant Figures Counter$0.99
Show 8 more
  • Quadratic Equation Solver$0.99
  • Kinetics$0.99
  • Molar Mass Calculator$0.99
  • Naming Compounds$0.99
  • Reaction Balancer$0.99
  • Stoichiometry$0.99
  • Solution Concentrations$0.99
  • pH Calculator$0.99

Questions

Is Building Atoms and Isotopes free?
Building Atoms and Isotopes costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is DrPhos' Ionic Compounds free?
DrPhos' Ionic Compounds costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Building Atoms and Isotopes or DrPhos' Ionic Compounds?
DrPhos' Ionic Compounds is rated higher. Building Atoms and Isotopes averages 3.5 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while DrPhos' Ionic Compounds averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.
Do Building Atoms and Isotopes or DrPhos' Ionic Compounds have ads?
Neither Building Atoms and Isotopes nor DrPhos' Ionic Compounds shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Building Atoms and Isotopes or DrPhos' Ionic Compounds?
Building Atoms and Isotopes ships an update every 18 months, and DrPhos' Ionic Compounds every 3 weeks. Most recently, Building Atoms and Isotopes was updated on October 12, 2026 and DrPhos' Ionic Compounds on October 16, 2026.

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