# Building Atoms and Isotopes vs DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

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.

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Building Atoms and Isotopes | DrPhos' Ionic Compounds |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [3.5 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/building-atoms-and-isotopes/id436996679/reviews) | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drphos-ionic-compounds/id6473097401/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **8** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 10 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Carolina Biological Supply](https://appshunter.io/developer/413708533) | [Monte L Helm](https://appshunter.io/developer/1715082616) |

## What reviewers say

### Building Atoms and Isotopes

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/building-atoms-and-isotopes/id436996679)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drphos-ionic-compounds/id6473097401)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ionic Compound Builder | Free | one-time |
| Science Calculator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Significant Figures Counter | $0.99 | one-time |
| Quadratic Equation Solver | $0.99 | one-time |
| Kinetics | $0.99 | one-time |
| Molar Mass Calculator | $0.99 | one-time |
| Naming Compounds | $0.99 | one-time |
| Reaction Balancer | $0.99 | one-time |
| Stoichiometry | $0.99 | one-time |
| Solution Concentrations | $0.99 | one-time |
| pH Calculator | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*