# NOVA Elements vs MEL STEM

The clearest difference is rating: MEL STEM at 4.8 against NOVA Elements's 4.1. MEL STEM also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months) and review sentiment (71% vs 62%). NOVA Elements's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 13.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

MEL STEM holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 254 and 429 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of NOVA Elements's written reviews are positive against 71% of MEL STEM's.

NOVA Elements ships an update every 5 months, MEL STEM monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NOVA Elements | MEL STEM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (254 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-elements/id512772649/reviews) | **[4.8 (429 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mel-stem-science-for-kids/id1474360296/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 254 | **429** |
| Positive reviews | 62.1% of reviews | **71.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 513 MB | 244 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PBS](https://appshunter.io/developer/329374179) | [MEL Science Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/988394505) |

## What reviewers say

### NOVA Elements

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-elements/id512772649)

Explore the periodic table and understand element properties. Learn how elements combine to form everyday objects through interactive games and educational videos.

**Highlights:** Interactive periodic table, Learn element properties, Understand element combinations, Educational game, NOVA program access

**In-app purchases:** none


### MEL STEM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mel-stem-science-for-kids/id1474360296)

Explore fundamental scientific concepts like light, sound, and electricity through interactive games and AR experiences. This app offers visual explanations and virtual experiments for young learners, guided by engaging characters.

**Highlights:** Interactive science games, AR STEM experiences, Visual explanations of concepts, Virtual science lab, 3D/AR visual explanations

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great subscription box for families
- 💡 Interactive and engaging app
- 👍 Kits and apps are fun
- 👍 Cool science experiments
- 👍 Good conversation starters

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 AR/3D modes are black and unusable
- 🐛 Instruction book missing
- 🐛 Card scanning not working
- 🐛 App not working at all

**Reported bugs**

- Card cannot be scanned, no option available
- AR sections show black screen
- App is completely unusable due to black screens in AR and 3D mode after update
- Non-stop crashing, app not working
- Missing instruction book for luminescence kit

**Requested features**

- Fix card scanning functionality
- Ensure instruction books are included with kits


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NOVA Elements free?

NOVA Elements is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MEL STEM free?

MEL STEM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NOVA Elements or MEL STEM?

MEL STEM is rated higher. NOVA Elements averages 4.1 out of 5 from 254 ratings, while MEL STEM averages 4.8 from 429 ratings.

### Do NOVA Elements or MEL STEM have ads?

Neither NOVA Elements nor MEL STEM shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NOVA Elements or MEL STEM?

NOVA Elements ships an update every 5 months, and MEL STEM monthly. Most recently, NOVA Elements was updated on October 3, 2026 and MEL STEM on October 12, 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.*