# NOVA Elements vs Solve the Outbreak

The clearest difference is rating: Solve the Outbreak at 4.6 against NOVA Elements's 4.1. Solve the Outbreak also leads on review sentiment (96% vs 62%). NOVA Elements's advantage is ratings volume (254 vs 60) and iOS requirement (8.0 vs 12.0). On price, update cadence, 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.

Solve the Outbreak holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 254 and 60 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 62% of NOVA Elements's written reviews are positive against 96% of Solve the Outbreak's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NOVA Elements | Solve the Outbreak |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (254 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nova-elements/id512772649/reviews) | **[4.6 (60 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solve-the-outbreak/id592485067/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **254** | 60 |
| Positive reviews | 62.1% of reviews | **95.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 513 MB | 258 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [PBS](https://appshunter.io/developer/329374179) | [Centers For Disease Control and Prevention](https://appshunter.io/developer/439259253) |

## 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


### Solve the Outbreak

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solve-the-outbreak/id592485067)

Become a Disease Detective and solve simulated outbreaks by analyzing clues and data. Make critical decisions to contain diseases and save lives, earning badges and climbing ranks. Learn about real-world disease investigation in an engaging, game-like experience.

**Highlights:** Solve simulated outbreaks, Analyze clues and data, Make critical decisions, Earn badges and ranks, Learn about diseases, Challenge friends

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎮 Engaging gamification of learning epidemiology
- 📚 Educational and informative content about diseases
- 🧩 Excellent problem-solving and critical thinking challenges
- 👨‍🏫 Great tool for classroom and educational settings
- 🎯 Realistic case studies based on actual outbreaks

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⏱️ Limited replay value due to memorizable answers
- 📖 Heavy text-based content without visual aids
- 🖥️ Text too small on mobile devices
- 🎮 Linear gameplay with no branching outcomes
- 😴 Can become repetitive after completing cases

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when attempting to reset scores in settings
- Old scores and progress remain after reset attempt
- Accidental question selection due to bottom screen placement

**Requested features**

- Add more outbreak cases and scenarios
- Create harder difficulty levels for advanced players
- Include visual aids and images for better understanding
- Add background music and sound effects
- Implement branching storylines with different outcomes


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NOVA Elements free?

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

### Is Solve the Outbreak free?

Solve the Outbreak is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, NOVA Elements or Solve the Outbreak?

Solve the Outbreak is rated higher. NOVA Elements averages 4.1 out of 5 from 254 ratings, while Solve the Outbreak averages 4.6 from 60 ratings.

### Do NOVA Elements or Solve the Outbreak have ads?

Neither NOVA Elements nor Solve the Outbreak shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NOVA Elements or Solve the Outbreak?

NOVA Elements ships an update every 5 months, and Solve the Outbreak every 5 months. Most recently, NOVA Elements was updated on October 3, 2026 and Solve the Outbreak on October 1, 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.*