Comparison

TheDLA vs PocketMDS

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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!

About

PocketMDS

This application enables users to conduct molecular dynamics simulations. Explore the behavior of Lennard-Jones fluids under different environmental conditions. It's a free tool for scientific exploration.

Highlights
  • Molecular dynamics simulations
  • Lennard-Jones fluid simulations
  • Variable condition simulations
  • Scientific exploration tool
Features
Read full description

PocketMDS is a Molecular Dynamics Simulation program. It allows you to perform simulations of Lennard-Jones fluids at various conditions.

Screenshots

TheDLA2 screens
PocketMDS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: PocketMDS at 5.0 against TheDLA's 4.3. PocketMDS also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.6). TheDLA's advantage is ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PocketMDS holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TheDLA ships an update every 3 months, PocketMDS every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on June 3, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
TheDLA versus PocketMDS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTheDLAPocketMDS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaishin UeyamaChristoph Bratschi

Customer experience

TheDLA

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral33.3%
Negative0.0%

PocketMDS

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

TheDLA

No in-app purchases

None

PocketMDS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is TheDLA free?
TheDLA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PocketMDS free?
PocketMDS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, TheDLA or PocketMDS?
PocketMDS is rated higher. TheDLA averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while PocketMDS averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do TheDLA or PocketMDS have ads?
Neither TheDLA nor PocketMDS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, TheDLA or PocketMDS?
TheDLA ships an update every 3 months, and PocketMDS every 4 months. Most recently, TheDLA was updated on June 3, 2026 and PocketMDS on September 9, 2026.

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