Tap OChem vs Molecules AR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Tap OChem
Visualize complex organic chemistry reactions and concepts with animated explanations. This app covers a wide range of undergraduate organic chemistry topics, aiding in exam preparation and understanding of molecular behavior.
- Animated organic chemistry reactions
- Detailed concept explanations
- Electron pushing diagrams
- Full-color text descriptions
- MCAT, PCAT, OAT, DAT prep
- Regular content updates
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"Awesome" writes a reviewer! More reviewers comments! "I have used it for all of my exams so far and it is extraordinarily helpful." "This is the best investment that you can make to visualize the reactions. There are a ton of them and they are AWESOME!!!!!" Another reviewer writes “Covers all of the major topics and the videos help me visualize the details of the molecules and reactions”…“Could almost replace a whole textbook.” While we never claim to cover an entire organic chemistry class, with content added in each update (major free updates each year since publishing ten years ago!), Tap OChem is the app that delivers! The reactions and concepts included are many from the one year sequence of undergraduate organic chemistry that is offered at all major colleges and universities. Students have told us that this app was essential in their preparation for the MCAT. Whether you are currently in the one year sequence of classes or reviewing for the MCAT, or PCAT, OAT, and DAT, this app will help! Designed by two award winning chemists with over 48 years of combined experience teaching at major universities, Tap OChem makes organic chemistry reaction come to life for each included reaction or concept. The following animations are currently included: Substitution reactions (20 animations), Elimination reactions (11 animations), Alkene Chemistry (15 animations), Free Radical Chemistry (4 animations), Alkyne Chemistry (7 animations), Epoxide chemistry (4 animations), Benzene chemistry (10 animations), Diene Chemistry (8 animations), Carbonyl Chemistry (8 animations), Major concepts (62+ animations), and Molecules in Motion (35+ animations). The Concepts section includes valence bond theory, molecular orbital theory, electrostatic potential maps, radical spin density maps, alkene stability, dienes and stability, conformational analysis of alkanes and cyclohexane, etc. We've just started adding information on intermolecular interactions and plan on more spectroscopic topics! One animation on dipole/dipole attraction was added. Two animations, one focused on the introduction to IR spectroscopy are included. We are developing and updating more animations for future updates! Each animation has an accompanying text that drills down to the main facts of each reaction or concept. These are in FULL COLOR! They are short, handy, descriptions with important information regarding each reaction or concept. In the case of reaction animations, the concise scrollable text descriptions include electron pushing. We will continue to update the app with future releases. Tap OChem is native to both iPhones and iPads! In addition to the animations being very sharp on your iPhone and iPad, they are of excellent quality when projected (iPhone 4S and iPhone 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, 8, 8 Plus, X, 11, 12, and later, iPad 2 and later, using appropriate adapters) in a classroom. For the iPhone 6s and later; and iPad Air 1 and 2 and later, an appropriate adapter is needed like Lightning Digital AV Adapter (this is an HDMI adapter), or a USB C to HDMI adapter, or a Lightning to VGA Adapter. Please visit www.tapochem.com for further information.
Molecules AR
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Imagine bringing the excitement of Augmented Reality right into your science classroom. Explore virtual 3D atoms and molecules with Molecules AR. Molecules AR is a tool for viewing and learning about atoms and molecules using Augmented Reality technology (AR). With Molecules AR kids can view atoms and molecules by actually walking around a 3D image showing the atomic structure and molecular configuration. Augmented Reality lets the students view all sides of the molecular structure. Students use the slider or arrow buttons to move through a list of atoms and molecules. As 3D models are selected they instantly appear in the AR view and can be viewed by moving around the virtual object. Screens of information about the chemical are displayed when the notebook icon is tapped. If the sound has been activated by tapping the speaker icon, the text shown in the notebook will be read aloud. Molecules AR is perfect for science classrooms where basic chemical structures, valence bonds and other related topics are being introduced. Augmented Reality adds a level of interest and excitement that will stimulate young minds to further exploration. Be sure that your iPad allows access to the camera function by choosing Settings -> General -> Restrictions -> Off. Atoms and Molecules Included: hydrogen atom (H) carbon atom (C) nitrogen atom (N) oxygen atom (O) oxygen molecule (O2 ) nitrogen molecule (N2) water molecule (H2O) carbon dioxide molecule (CO2) ammonia molecule (NH3) methane (CH4) ethane (N2H6) acetylene molecule (C2H2) hydrogen cyanide (HCN) ethylene molecule (C2H4) formaldehyde molecule (CH2O) nitroxyl molecule (HNO)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: Tap OChem at every 3 months against Molecules AR's every 20 months. Tap OChem also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Molecules AR's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $4.99). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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
Tap OChem costs $4.99 and Molecules AR $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Tap OChem ships an update every 3 months, Molecules AR every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on July 25, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Tap OChem | Molecules AR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | $1.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.7 (39 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 91.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 39 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 20 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.2 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 3.5 GB | 27 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tap OChem, LLC | Ventura Educational Systems |
In-app purchases
Tap OChem
No in-app purchases
Molecules AR
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Tap OChem free?
Is Molecules AR free?
Do Tap OChem or Molecules AR have ads?
Which is updated more often, Tap OChem or Molecules AR?
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