Comparison

Protein Sequence Viewer vs PDB Viewer

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side β€” with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Protein Sequence Viewer

Features
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Protein Sequence Viewer is an iOS application designed for rapid retrieval of protein sequences (single-letter format) and lengths (amino acids) from UniProtKB/Swiss-Prot (reviewed entries). Simply enter a gene name or UniProt ID (Accession or Entry name) to access the data you need. Key Features: Gene name and UniProt ID search (Swiss-Prot reviewed entries only) Canonical sequence display with isoform switching via dropdown menu Downloadable offline databases for Human, Mouse, Rat, and Yeastβ€”enabling searches without internet connectivity Streamlined interface focused on sequences and lengths One-tap sequence copying to clipboard Data Source: All sequence data is retrieved from UniProt.

About

PDB Viewer

Features
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PDB Viewer turns your phone into a molecular microscope. Search the entire Protein Data Bank and over 200 million AlphaFold predictions, then explore any protein, virus, drug, or DNA structure in interactive 3D β€” free, with no account, no ads, and no sign-up. WHERE THE MOLECULES COME FROM β€’ RCSB Protein Data Bank β€” 200,000+ experimentally determined structures β€’ AlphaFold β€” 200M+ AI-predicted protein models β€’ SWISS-MODEL β€” template-based homology models β€’ PubChem and ChEMBL β€” millions of drugs and compounds β€’ Crystallography Open Database β€” small-molecule crystals β€’ NCI/CADD resolver β€” type a chemical name and get a 3D model Every source is free and needs no API key. You can also open your own .pdb and .cif files. WAYS TO SEE IT β€’ Five representations: wireframe, ball-and-stick, space-filling (CPK), cartoon/ribbon, and a smooth molecular surface β€’ Color by element, chain, secondary structure, rainbow, or AlphaFold confidence (pLDDT) β€’ Biological assemblies: rebuild an entire icosahedral virus capsid from a few deposited chains β€’ NMR ensembles: overlay every model in the bundle to watch a protein flex β€’ Automatic secondary-structure detection MADE FOR TOUCH β€’ Rotate, pinch-zoom, and pan with smooth native rendering β€’ Tap any atom to see its element, residue, and chain β€’ Recently viewed structures are cached, so they reopen instantly and work offline For students, researchers, teachers, and the simply curious. PDB Viewer makes structural biology beautiful and accessible. Structures are provided by their respective databases. PDB Viewer is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by the RCSB PDB, EMBL-EBI, or AlphaFold.

Screenshots

Protein Sequence Viewer4 screens
PDB Viewer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Protein Sequence Viewer at none against PDB Viewer's 1. Protein Sequence Viewer also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). PDB Viewer's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. PDB Viewer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Protein Sequence Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Protein Sequence Viewer ships an update every 2 days, PDB Viewer monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences Β· 2 level
Protein Sequence Viewer versus PDB Viewer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterProtein Sequence ViewerPDB Viewer
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 2 days β€” betterMonthly
AdsYesNo β€” better
In-app purchasesNo β€” betterYes
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod β€” betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 β€” better16.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size25 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperKazunari SasakiQvyshift LLC

In-app purchases

None

Protein Sequence Viewer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

PDB Viewer

One-time1
  • PDB Viewer Pro$9.99

Questions

Is Protein Sequence Viewer free?
Protein Sequence Viewer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PDB Viewer free?
PDB Viewer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Protein Sequence Viewer or PDB Viewer have ads?
Protein Sequence Viewer shows ads; PDB Viewer does not.
Which is updated more often, Protein Sequence Viewer or PDB Viewer?
Protein Sequence Viewer ships an update every 2 days, and PDB Viewer monthly. Most recently, Protein Sequence Viewer was updated on October 5, 2026 and PDB Viewer on October 16, 2026.

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