Comparison

Nuclear vs MEL VR Science Simulations

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

Head to head
About

Nuclear

Explore the quantum world and learn about chemical elements by building atoms. This app visually models interactive atoms, allowing you to add or subtract subatomic particles to construct stable elements and unlock them on the periodic table.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D atom visualization
  • Build chemical elements by adding/subtracting particles
  • Unlock elements on the periodic table
  • Explore atomic decay of isotopes
  • Learn about matter at the atomic scale
Features
Read full description

*** Brought to you by the team behind the internationally acclaimed educational star gazing app - Star Chart *** Dare you enter the quantum world of Nuclear? Where things are not just stranger than you might imagine, but stranger than you can imagine! Witness the interplay of energies and physics at the tiniest of scales as you learn to play, discover and explore the chemical elements at the atomic level. Nuclear is a high tech educational application that dynamically models an interactive atom in a beautiful and intuitive way. In Nuclear, you get to build all the elements of the periodic table via a simple mechanic of adding and subtracting the atomic building blocks of neutrons, protons and electrons. The goal of the app is to let you learn about each of the elements of the periodic table by constructing a stable version of that element. Once a stable element has been created, it is unlocked in the periodic table. Can you create and unlock them all? This app has been designed for all types of users: from children interested in learning through play about what matter is made of and how it works, to teachers looking for an intuitive and exciting way to help educate others on chemical elements. Nuclear lets you: * Learn about the atom through this stunning 3D visualisation. * Explore the effects of manipulating matter at the atomic level. * Add or subtract protons, electrons or neutrons to create virtually any base chemical element. * Create and watch as unstable isotopes decay into more stable elements. * Through tactile exploration grasp an understanding of what we and everything around us is made of. - Please note the initial app allows you to create and unlock the first 54 elements for free. The remaining elements can be unlocked via a small in-app purchase. Nuclear is continually being developed, so please feel free to let us know your thoughts and feedback. We will endeavour to expand and improve Nuclear, incorporating customer feedback wherever possible. Contact us at: Nuclear@EscapistGames.com Don't forget to check out our other great Educational App - Star Chart.

About

MEL VR Science Simulations

Explore chemistry and physics through immersive virtual reality simulations and interactive labs. This app transforms learning complex scientific concepts into an engaging and entertaining experience, perfect for students and educators.

Highlights
  • Virtual reality science simulations
  • Interactive labs and lessons
  • Chemistry and physics curriculum alignment
  • Molecular and atomic level exploration
  • Interactive periodic table
  • Over 70 VR lessons, labs, and simulations
Features
Read full description

MEL VR Science Simulations is a growing series of science simulations, lessons, and labs covering chemistry and physics. Made to fit right into the school curriculum, virtual reality turns studying into an interactive and immersive experience, making learning entertaining. Become a researcher in a scientific laboratory You will enter the MEL Virtual Laboratory, where you will zoom in on such seemingly simple objects like a pencil or a balloon, fly between molecules and atoms, and understand the differences between solids and gaseous substances at a molecular level! Immerse yourself in the world of chemistry and physics and see how it looks from the inside. With the virtual reality glasses you will see chemical compounds and physical reactions inside everyday objects. Don’t memorize, understand! It’s not enough to memorize formulas from a textbook. To understand the concepts of science, shrink down to the molecular and atomic level, immerse yourself in different types of matter and see how atoms and molecules interact from a whole new perspective. Online school in virtual reality It is difficult to retain the attention of children with formulas and boring textbooks. Immersed in virtual reality, nothing distracts from study. Short 5-minute VR lessons, interactive labs, and simulations are an excellent way to understand complex chemical and physical concepts through engaging visualizations. With MEL VR Science Simulations, science becomes a favorite subject at home and at school. To cover all the main topics, at present the application contains a growing library of over 70 VR lessons, labs, and simulations: Discover that an atom consists of a tiny nucleus, surrounded by an electron cloud. Learn about the three main subatomic particles: electrons, protons and neutrons. You will see how atoms are arranged in ordinary items like pencils and balloons. Find out that atoms in solids do not remain motionless, but are in motion all the time! Dive into gaseous helium and see how these atoms behave. What happens with atoms when the temperature increases? In the interactive laboratory you can assemble any atoms, and study the structure of their electron orbitals. Assemble any molecule and see how they take shape. Learn the difference between the structural and skeletal formula. Look at the real position of atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them. Use our interactive periodic table to find out how the periodic table is arranged. Why the elements are placed in this order, and what information you can learn from the position of an element in the periodic table. You can select any element, and see the structure of its atoms and electron configuration. MEL VR Science simulations also has lessons, labs, and simulations covering isotopes, electrons, ions,the periodic table, molecular formulas, isomers, electrostatics and much more. The future of education is already here, download the MEL VR Science simulations application right now! All content is also available to view in 2D. Language options available. For educational licensing or bulk purchasing, contact vr@melscience.com

Screenshots

Nuclear4 screens
MEL VR Science Simulations4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Nuclear at 4.2 against MEL VR Science Simulations's 3.8. Nuclear also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 56%) and ratings volume (302 vs 90). 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. Nuclear sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and MEL VR Science Simulations sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Nuclear holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 302 and 90 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Nuclear's written reviews are positive against 56% of MEL VR Science Simulations's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nuclear ships an update every 3 months, MEL VR Science Simulations every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 22, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Nuclear versus MEL VR Science Simulations: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNuclearMEL VR Science Simulations
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (302 ratings) — better3.8 (90 ratings)
Positive reviews69.5% of reviews — better56.1% of reviews
Number of ratings302 — better90
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB1.1 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperESCAPE VELOCITY LIMITEDMEL Science Limited

Customer experience

Nuclear

All ratings302 ratings
Positive79.8%
Neutral6.0%
Negative14.2%
Written reviews239 reviews
Positive69.5%
Neutral14.6%
Negative15.9%

MEL VR Science Simulations

All ratings89 ratings
Positive68.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative28.1%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive56.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative34.1%

Bugs and requests

Nuclear

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Can't exit element discovery screen
  • Proton cap prevents reaching higher elements
  • Certain elements cannot be created
  • Crashes when trying to add particles to Ununoctium

Requested features

4 requests
  • Expand decay modes (alpha, beta, etc.)
  • Add ability to create molecules
  • Improve stability/decay simulation
  • Add more explanations and tutorials

MEL VR Science Simulations

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Nuclear

One-time3
  • Build All Elements$2.99
  • Discover Your Table$2.99
  • Discover All$4.99
8 purchases

MEL VR Science Simulations

One-time8
  • Atoms lessons pack$9.99
  • Periodic Table lessons pack$9.99
  • Molecules lessons pack$9.99
Show 5 more
  • Gas Laws lessons pack$9.99
  • Isomerism lessons pack$9.99
  • Electrostatics lessons pack$9.99
  • Temperature lessons pack$9.99
  • Substances lessons pack$9.99

Questions

Is Nuclear free?
Nuclear is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MEL VR Science Simulations free?
MEL VR Science Simulations is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Nuclear or MEL VR Science Simulations?
Nuclear is rated higher. Nuclear averages 4.2 out of 5 from 302 ratings, while MEL VR Science Simulations averages 3.8 from 90 ratings.
Do Nuclear or MEL VR Science Simulations have ads?
Neither Nuclear nor MEL VR Science Simulations shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nuclear or MEL VR Science Simulations?
Nuclear ships an update every 3 months, and MEL VR Science Simulations every 2 months. Most recently, Nuclear was updated on October 22, 2026 and MEL VR Science Simulations on October 22, 2026.

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