TheDLA vs Quantum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
TheDLA
Explore pattern formation in nature with this app. It visualizes Diffusion Limited Aggregation, allowing you to create unique, complex dendritic patterns. Experiment with different interactions to generate artistic and scientific designs.
- Visualize Diffusion Limited Aggregation
- Create complex dendritic patterns
- Interactive pattern generation
- Color selection for branches
- Export images to photo library, Twitter, Facebook
- GIF animation export
- Face detection for particle placement
Read full descriptionHide full description
TheDLA Cool Science! TheDLA gives you an essence of pattern formation mechanism in nature. Also, it makes very unique attractive images for you. I wrote a brief description about DLA pattern and TheDLA app in following URL. Please read it! https://sites.google.com/site/dueyama/home/thedla “The DLA” stands for ‘The Diffusion Limited Aggregation’, and it is one of the simplest models that makes complex dendritic pattern. Now, we are talking about Science. You see, there are two types of particles on the field. One is the free particle that moves randomly. Another is the fixed particle that does not move. The free particle attaches to cluster of the fixed particles when it reaches around them. Such a simple pattern forming mechanism builds the attractive complex patterns and this very scientific system is applied for you to have funny hairy nose. But first of all, please check the usage. So, you will be able to enjoy not just hairy nose, but the various patterns YOU are going to create. It is quite amazing that such randomness sometimes create forms and patterns you can find only in nature. Please enjoy the patterns and think why such dendritic patterns appear. If you would like to search the web, keywords may be “DLA” and “Dendrite”. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diffusion-limited_aggregation To start with, there is a single fixed particle at the center of the field when you start. Usage: - Double tap: Put the fixed particles at the point. The size is possible to change in the setting. - Single tap: Remove the fixed particle at the point. - 2 fingers double tap: Remove all fixed particles from the field + etc. - 2 fingers pan: Pan the field. - Long pressed pan: Draw fixed particles like a pen. - Long pressed pan after a tap: Eraser. - You can chose color to paint the branches. - A “g” button toggles the acceleration sensor of the device (only for the device that has the acceleration sensor). The free particles drift to the direction of the gravity. - Can export the image to the photo library, Twitter and Facebook. In addition, the face detection technology in iOS is used to put the fixed particles on eyes position in the photo. When you are in the Anim mode, exporting the image to the photo library make a GIF anim. So, enjoy patterns! Enjoy science!
Quantum
Explore the hidden world of particles with a real-time simulator. Model up to 10,000 particles and experiment with natural phenomena like crystallization and orbital mechanics. Customize interactions and visualize results dynamically.
- Real-time particle simulation
- Model up to 10,000 particles
- Simulate natural phenomena
- Four distinct particle classes
- Customizable rules editor
- Dynamic visualizations
- Interactive control
Read full descriptionHide full description
Experience the hidden world of particles Quantum is a real-time particle life sandbox for exploring emergent motion, artificial physics, and complex systems. Build fields with up to 10,000 particles, tune how classes attract or repel each other, and watch simple rules turn into flowing structures, swarms, or chaotic patterns. Why Quantum stands out: - Real-time particle simulation with four interacting particle classes. - Seamless 2D fields and perspective 3D volumes with touch rotation. - Rule editor for custom attraction and repulsion matrices. - Temperature, viscosity, solid/fluid edge behavior, and force tools. - Black hole and white hole tools for live interaction. - Save and load fields, rule sets, and color schemes. - P3 color support and vivid visual presets for generative art. Use Quantum as a physics toy, creative sandbox, teaching aid, or generative art lab. It is built for people who enjoy science, cellular automata, n-body systems, chaos, and beautiful simulations.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TheDLA at none against Quantum's 6. TheDLA also leads on iOS requirement (16.6 vs 26.0). Quantum's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (151 vs 3). On price, ads 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
Both are free to download. Quantum sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. TheDLA asks for nothing beyond the download.
Quantum holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Quantum has 151 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.
TheDLA ships an update every 3 months, Quantum every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | TheDLA | Quantum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (3 ratings) | 4.8 (151 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 81.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 151 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 10 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Daishin Ueyama | GEORGY OSTROBROD |
Customer experience
TheDLA
Quantum
In-app purchases
TheDLA
No in-app purchases
Quantum
- Developer tip2 variants$1.99
- Developer tip2 variants$3.99
- Developer tip2 variants$5.99









