# Bacterial ID Virtual Lab vs Solve the Outbreak

The clearest difference is rating: Solve the Outbreak at 4.6 against Bacterial ID Virtual Lab's 3.7. Solve the Outbreak also leads on review sentiment (96% vs 75%) and update cadence (every 5 months vs every 14 months). Bacterial ID Virtual Lab's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Solve the Outbreak holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solve the Outbreak has 60 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Bacterial ID Virtual Lab's written reviews are positive against 96% of Solve the Outbreak's.

Bacterial ID Virtual Lab ships an update every 14 months, Solve the Outbreak every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on June 4, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bacterial ID Virtual Lab | Solve the Outbreak |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.7 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bacterial-id-virtual-lab/id443867462/reviews) | **[4.6 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solve-the-outbreak/id592485067/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **60** |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | **95.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | **Every 5 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 21 MB | 258 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Howard Hughes Medical Institute](https://appshunter.io/developer/411540290) | [Centers For Disease Control and Prevention](https://appshunter.io/developer/439259253) |

## What reviewers say

### Bacterial ID Virtual Lab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bacterial-id-virtual-lab/id443867462)

Explore the science and methods for identifying bacteria using DNA sequences. This interactive virtual lab simulates modern techniques applicable in research and forensics. It's designed for high school biology students and science enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Learn DNA sequencing techniques, Identify different bacteria types, Simulates real-world lab methods, Applicable to research and forensics, Interactive virtual lab environment

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Solve the Outbreak

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solve-the-outbreak/id592485067)

Become a Disease Detective and solve simulated outbreaks by analyzing clues and data. Make critical decisions to contain diseases and save lives, earning badges and climbing ranks. Learn about real-world disease investigation in an engaging, game-like experience.

**Highlights:** Solve simulated outbreaks, Analyze clues and data, Make critical decisions, Earn badges and ranks, Learn about diseases, Challenge friends

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging gamification of learning epidemiology
- 📚 Educational and informative content about diseases
- 🧩 Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking challenges
- 👨‍🏫 Great tool for classroom and educational settings
- 🎯 Realistic case studies based on actual outbreaks

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Limited replay value due to memorizable answers
- 📖 Heavy text-based content without visual aids
- 🖥️ Text too small on mobile devices
- 🎮 Linear gameplay with no branching outcomes
- 😴 Can become repetitive after completing cases

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when attempting to reset scores in settings
- Old scores and progress remain after reset attempt
- Accidental question selection due to bottom screen placement

**Requested features**

- Add more outbreak cases and scenarios
- Create harder difficulty levels for advanced players
- Include visual aids and images for better understanding
- Add background music and sound effects
- Implement branching storylines with different outcomes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bacterial ID Virtual Lab free?

Bacterial ID Virtual Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Solve the Outbreak free?

Solve the Outbreak is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bacterial ID Virtual Lab or Solve the Outbreak?

Solve the Outbreak is rated higher. Bacterial ID Virtual Lab averages 3.7 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Solve the Outbreak averages 4.6 from 60 ratings.

### Do Bacterial ID Virtual Lab or Solve the Outbreak have ads?

Neither Bacterial ID Virtual Lab nor Solve the Outbreak shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bacterial ID Virtual Lab or Solve the Outbreak?

Bacterial ID Virtual Lab ships an update every 14 months, and Solve the Outbreak every 5 months. Most recently, Bacterial ID Virtual Lab was updated on June 4, 2026 and Solve the Outbreak on September 20, 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.*