Comparison

Nuclear vs Isotope Browser

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

Isotope Browser

Access comprehensive nuclear data for over 4,000 nuclides and isomers. Explore interactive charts, filter by various criteria, and view detailed information for each nuclide. Data is sourced from reliable resources and available offline.

Highlights
  • Properties of over 4,000 nuclides and isomers
  • Interactive Chart of Nuclides
  • Periodic Table of Elements
  • Filter by half-life, decay mode, radiation type, and energy
  • Detailed nuclide information with web links
  • Offline access to embedded database
Features
Read full description

Provided by the Nuclear Data Section of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the app gives properties of more than 4 000 nuclides and isomers. A Chart of Nuclides, with zooming and tapping enabled, and a Periodic Table of Elements are included to allow easy selection and navigation. Filter criteria on half-life, decay mode, radiation type and energy can be selected. Summary data are presented in a scrolling list, with a details page for each nuclide containing web links to the data sources and further information such as level and decay schema. The filtered nuclides can be visualised on the Chart of Nuclides. Data are taken from the most recent and reliable sources, and optimal search-and-retrieve performance is achieved with an embedded database, meaning that no network connection is required.

Screenshots

Nuclear4 screens
Isotope Browser4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Isotope Browser at 4.8 against Nuclear's 4.2. Isotope Browser also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (83% vs 69%). Nuclear's advantage is ratings volume (302 vs 27) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 11.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Nuclear sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Isotope Browser asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Isotope Browser holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Nuclear has 302 ratings behind it against 27, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Nuclear's written reviews are positive against 83% of Isotope Browser's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Nuclear ships an update every 3 months, Isotope Browser every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Nuclear versus Isotope Browser: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNuclearIsotope Browser
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.2 (302 ratings)4.8 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews69.5% of reviews82.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings302 — better27
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperESCAPE VELOCITY LIMITEDIAEA

Customer experience

Nuclear

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

Isotope Browser

All ratings27 ratings
Positive92.6%
Neutral3.7%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews23 reviews
Positive82.6%
Neutral13.0%
Negative4.3%

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

Isotope Browser

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
None

Isotope Browser

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Nuclear free?
Nuclear is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Isotope Browser free?
Isotope Browser is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Nuclear or Isotope Browser?
Isotope Browser is rated higher. Nuclear averages 4.2 out of 5 from 302 ratings, while Isotope Browser averages 4.8 from 27 ratings.
Do Nuclear or Isotope Browser have ads?
Neither Nuclear nor Isotope Browser shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Nuclear or Isotope Browser?
Nuclear ships an update every 3 months, and Isotope Browser every 6 weeks. Most recently, Nuclear was updated on October 12, 2026 and Isotope Browser on October 16, 2026.

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