# Formula MAX vs IB Chemistry

The clearest difference is update cadence: IB Chemistry at every 3 days against Formula MAX's every 11 months. Formula MAX's advantage is price ($0.99 vs $6.99) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Formula MAX costs $0.99 and IB Chemistry $6.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Formula MAX holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Formula MAX has 52 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Formula MAX's written reviews are positive against 60% of IB Chemistry's.

Formula MAX ships an update every 11 months, IB Chemistry every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Formula MAX | IB Chemistry |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$0.99** | $6.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-max/id454108371/reviews)** | [4.5 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ib-chemistry/id1516899353/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | **79.8% of reviews** | 60.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 3 days** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 15 MB | 189 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Mallow Technologies Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/416807590) | [wissam yehya](https://appshunter.io/developer/490622529) |

## What reviewers say

### Formula MAX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-max/id454108371)

Access over 1100 physics, chemistry, and math formulas with a powerful search and offline access. Save favorites, use built-in calculators, and view a detailed periodic table. Designed for user convenience and quick reference.

**Highlights:** 1100+ formulas, definitions, and values, Offline access, Powerful search function, Favorites for quick access, Trigonometric and logarithmic calculators, Periodic table with element details

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 📚 Comprehensive collection of 1000+ formulas across math, physics, and chemistry
- 🔍 Powerful search function for easy formula location
- ⭐ Excellent value at $0.99 price point
- 📱 Clean and intuitive user interface design
- 🧪 Useful periodic table included in chemistry section

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📖 Lacks explanations and examples for formulas
- ❌ Non-interactive formulas (displayed as images only)
- 🔤 Numerous spelling and grammar errors throughout
- 🧬 Chemistry section lacks depth and advanced topics
- 📏 Font sizes too small in some sections

**Reported bugs**

- Search function returns no results for some queries
- Display glitches preventing information from showing
- Inconsistent symbology and notation within sections
- Spacing errors in text
- App crashes or performance issues

**Requested features**

- Add worked examples demonstrating formula application
- Include interactive calculators for solving problems
- Provide step-by-step solution walkthroughs
- Add more advanced chemistry topics (thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, etc.)
- Include visual diagrams and illustrations


### IB Chemistry

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ib-chemistry/id1516899353)

This app offers a comprehensive chemistry resource for IB students, featuring over 360 pages of summarized content. Each page focuses on a single objective with examiner tips and difficulty indicators, alongside full definitions to help achieve a top score.

**Highlights:** 360+ pages of summarized content, Objective-focused pages with examiner tips, Difficulty level indicators, Full IB Chemistry definitions, Covers Core and AHL topics, 20+ years of teaching experience

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Formula MAX free?

Formula MAX costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is IB Chemistry free?

IB Chemistry costs $6.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Formula MAX or IB Chemistry?

Formula MAX is rated higher. Formula MAX averages 4.8 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while IB Chemistry averages 4.5 from 8 ratings.

### Do Formula MAX or IB Chemistry have ads?

Neither Formula MAX nor IB Chemistry shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Formula MAX or IB Chemistry?

Formula MAX ships an update every 11 months, and IB Chemistry every 3 days. Most recently, Formula MAX was updated on November 1, 2026 and IB Chemistry on November 3, 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.*