# Formula MAX vs DrPhos' Ionic Compounds

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Formula MAX at none against DrPhos' Ionic Compounds's 11. Formula MAX also leads on ratings volume (52 vs 8) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). DrPhos' Ionic Compounds's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 11 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On price, rating, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Formula MAX against 4.9 for DrPhos' Ionic Compounds. 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 are what separate them: 80% of Formula MAX's written reviews are positive against 100% of DrPhos' Ionic Compounds's.

Formula MAX ships an update every 11 months, DrPhos' Ionic Compounds every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Formula MAX | DrPhos' Ionic Compounds |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | [4.8 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/formula-max/id454108371/reviews) | **[4.9 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/drphos-ionic-compounds/id6473097401/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **52** | 8 |
| Positive reviews | 79.8% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Size | 15 MB | 15 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mallow Technologies Private Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/416807590) | [Monte L Helm](https://appshunter.io/developer/1715082616) |

## 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


### 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 Formula MAX free?

Formula MAX costs $0.99, 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, Formula MAX or DrPhos' Ionic Compounds?

DrPhos' Ionic Compounds is rated higher. Formula MAX averages 4.8 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while DrPhos' Ionic Compounds averages 4.9 from 8 ratings.

### Do Formula MAX or DrPhos' Ionic Compounds have ads?

Neither Formula MAX nor DrPhos' Ionic Compounds shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Formula MAX or DrPhos' Ionic Compounds?

Formula MAX ships an update every 11 months, and DrPhos' Ionic Compounds every 3 weeks. Most recently, Formula MAX was updated on October 2, 2026 and DrPhos' Ionic Compounds on September 30, 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.*