Comparison

Fractal 3D vs MBrot8

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

Head to head
About

Fractal 3D

Generate and explore stunning 2D and 3D fractal images with deep customization. Create intricate patterns with high-resolution exports and real-time adjustments for endless visual discovery.

Highlights
  • Generate 2D and 3D fractals
  • Customize fractal sets, equations, and colors
  • High-resolution image export (up to 16MP)
  • Real-time rendering and exploration
  • Intuitive panning, zooming, and camera controls
  • OpenGL powered renderer for speed
Features
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Fractal 3D is a powerful tool for generating and exploring fractals 0such as the Mandelbrot and Julia sets. The 2D view allows for easy surveying and customization, while the 3D view captures spectacular images that can be exported at up to 16 megapixel resolution. Multi-processor support and an OpenGL powered renderer allow for blazing fast speed. With double precision 64-bit mathematics, Fractal 3D is capable of resolving detailed images up to an incredible 1,000,000,000,000x magnification level! To give perspective, a single atom of carbon magnified one trillion times would be longer than two football fields. Each fractal is fully customizable and changes happening in real time. First adjust the fractal set type, equation power/ constants, iterations, resolution, color scheme, and smoothing options. Once the fractal is rendered it can be explored with intuitive panning and zooming controls. After a place of interest is found, customize the 3D view by rotating the fractal, moving the camera, and adjusting the lighting. Due to the nature of fractals, the number of unique patterns to be found is limitless. Use the rendered images for desktop wallpaper, printed artwork, or just enjoy the beauty of exploring one of a kind images created by pure mathematics. Fractal information from Wikipedia - A fractal has been defined as "a rough or fragmented geometric shape that can be split into parts, each of which is (at least approximately) a reduced-size copy of the whole," a property called self-similarity. The term fractal was coined by Benoît Mandelbrot in 1975 and was derived from the Latin frāctus meaning "broken" or "fractured." A mathematical fractal is based on an equation that undergoes iteration, a form of feedback based on recursion. There are several examples of fractals, which are defined as portraying exact self-similarity, quasi self-similarity, or statistical self-similarity. While fractals are a mathematical construct, they are found in nature, which has led to their inclusion in artwork. They are useful in medicine, soil mechanics, seismology, and technical analysis. A fractal often has the following features: It has a fine structure at arbitrarily small scales. It is too irregular to be easily described in traditional Euclidean geometric language. It has a simple and recursive definition. Because they appear similar at all levels of magnification, fractals are often considered to be infinitely complex (in informal terms). Natural objects that are approximated by fractals to a degree include clouds, mountain ranges, lightning bolts, coastlines, snow flakes, various vegetables (cauliflower and broccoli), and animal coloration patterns. However, not all self-similar objects are fractals —for example, the real line (a straight Euclidean line) is formally self-similar but fails to have other fractal characteristics; for instance, it is regular enough to be described in Euclidean terms.

About

MBrot8

Features
Read full description

Explore the infinite beauty of the Mandelbrot set with MBrot8. Navigate intricate fractal landscapes using intuitive pinch-to-zoom and pan gestures. Customize each view with flexible color controls, save your favorite discoveries, and create high-resolution images to share. Features include: • Smooth GPU-powered Mandelbrot rendering • Deep, precise zooming • Intuitive pinch and pan controls • Adjustable color spread, shift, and range • Saved-set thumbnails for quick retrieval • Previous and next navigation • Manual scale and center entry • High-resolution image export • Image saving, retrieval, and sharing • Support for iPhone and iPad • Every region reveals new patterns, structures, and colors. Start exploring and discover what lies within the Mandelbrot set.

Screenshots

Fractal 3D4 screens
MBrot83 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: MBrot8 at monthly against Fractal 3D's every 12 months. Fractal 3D's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $2.99) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). On ads, in-app purchases 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

Fractal 3D costs $1.99 and MBrot8 $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fractal 3D ships an update every 12 months, MBrot8 monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Fractal 3D versus MBrot8: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFractal 3DMBrot8
Price$1.99 — better$2.99
Rating3.0 (4 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews8.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size1 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNuclear Nova SoftwareMarDan GeoSpatial

In-app purchases

None

Fractal 3D

No in-app purchases

None

MBrot8

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fractal 3D free?
Fractal 3D costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is MBrot8 free?
MBrot8 costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Fractal 3D or MBrot8 have ads?
Neither Fractal 3D nor MBrot8 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fractal 3D or MBrot8?
Fractal 3D ships an update every 12 months, and MBrot8 monthly. Most recently, Fractal 3D was updated on September 23, 2026 and MBrot8 on October 10, 2026.

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