Comparison

TheDLA vs Population Simulator

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

Population Simulator

Features
Read full description

"Population simulator" is an application to visually see the changes in the population by using "Logistic Map". You can see the change in the population by the Logistic Map by a line graph and colony size. You can observe the variation pattern of population variety by changing slightly the initial value. Logistic Map is not only used in Population Ecology but also considered one of the starting point of Chaos Theory. I developed this app to help people who are studying Population Ecology or Chaos Theory. *Logistic Map may not necessarily apply to changes in population of actual organisms, because Logistic Map is a model of a simple change of the population. ■What is Logistic Map? The Logistic Map is the map that is generated from the Logistic Function that has been devised as a variation model of the population of an organism. It is expressed by the following function. X(n+1) = a・X(n)・(1-X(n)) In the above equation, the meaning of each symbol is as follows. ・n:Generation (n=1,2,3,...) ・X(n):Value obtained by normalizing the Population of Generation n-th(0≦X(n)≦1) ・a:Value obtained by normalizing the Reproductive Rates(0≦a≦4) You can calculate the population of the next generation from a population of a certain generation by using this function. In addition, You can predict the variation of the population over the long term by calculating the population of individuals repeatedly in this function. ■Pattern of Logistic Map Logistic map vary widely depending on the value of "a". ・In case (0≦a≦1) : X(n) converges to 0. ・In case (1<a≦2) : X(n) converges to 1-(1/a). ・In case (2<a≦3) : X(n) converges to 1-(1/a) while oscillating. ・In case (3<a≦3.5699456・・・) : X(n) oscillate between the periodic point individual Power of 2 ・In case (3.5699456・・・<a≦4) : X(n) Change irregularly.(Chaotic region)*It may become periodically by the value of a. Please try to observe the changes of Logistic Map by changing the various initial values​​. ■Main function of App 1. Simulation of changes in colony size 2. Line graph of changes in population 3. Output CSV file(Need to purchase add-on.) 4. Output Graph Image(Need to purchase add-on.)

Screenshots

TheDLA2 screens
Population Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: TheDLA at none against Population Simulator's 1. TheDLA also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 7 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. Population Simulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. TheDLA asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

TheDLA ships an update every 3 months, Population Simulator every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
TheDLA versus Population Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTheDLAPopulation Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (3 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 7 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size10 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaishin UeyamaTAIKI HIRATA

In-app purchases

None

TheDLA

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Population Simulator

One-time1
  • Add Output Function$0.99

Questions

Is TheDLA free?
TheDLA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Population Simulator free?
Population Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do TheDLA or Population Simulator have ads?
Population Simulator shows ads; TheDLA does not.
Which is updated more often, TheDLA or Population Simulator?
TheDLA ships an update every 3 months, and Population Simulator every 7 months. Most recently, TheDLA was updated on September 15, 2026 and Population Simulator on October 5, 2026.

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