# Nuclear vs MEL VR Science Simulations

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Nuclear | MEL VR Science Simulations |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.2 (302 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuclear/id509546625/reviews)** | [3.8 (90 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mel-vr-science-simulations/id1369900784/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **302** | 90 |
| Positive reviews | **69.5% of reviews** | 56.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 55 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [ESCAPE VELOCITY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/331526972) | [MEL Science Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/988394505) |

## What reviewers say

### Nuclear

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nuclear/id509546625)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Build All Elements | $2.99 | one-time |
| Discover Your Table | $2.99 | one-time |
| Discover All | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Awesome visuals
- 🔍 Great learning tool
- 👍 Fun and interactive
- 💡 Helpful for understanding atoms

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Bugs and glitches
- 💰 Paywall for full access
- 🔒 Locked features
- 🤔 Inaccurate decay/reaction modeling

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

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


### MEL VR Science Simulations

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mel-vr-science-simulations/id1369900784)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Atoms lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Periodic Table lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Molecules lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Gas Laws lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Isomerism lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Electrostatics lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Temperature lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |
| Substances lessons pack | $9.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*