WebMO Molecule Editor vs Aktiv Learning
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WebMO Molecule Editor
Create and explore 3D molecular structures, visualize chemical properties, and access extensive chemical databases. This tool is ideal for students and educators needing on-the-go access to molecular information and computational chemistry resources.
- 3D molecular editor
- Structure optimization
- Orbital and symmetry visualization
- Chemical database lookup
- Spectra visualization
- High-resolution image capture
- Computational chemistry program integration
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WebMO allows users to build and view molecules in 3-D, visualize orbitals and symmetry elements, lookup chemical information and properties from external databases, and access state-of-the-art computational chemistry programs. WebMO is recommended for students and faculty in high school, college, and graduate school who desire mobile access to molecular structures, information, and calculations. WebMO capabilities include: - Build molecules by drawing atoms and bonds in a 3-D molecular editor, or by speaking the name (e.g., “aspirin”) - Optimize structures using VSEPR theory or molecular mechanics - View Huckel molecular orbitals, electron density, and electrostatic potential - View molecular vibrations - View point group and symmetry elements of molecules - Lookup basic molecular information, including IUPAC and common names, stoichiometry, molar mass - Lookup chemical data from PubChem and ChemSpider - Lookup experimental and predicted molecular properties from external databases (NIST, Sigma-Aldrich) - Lookup IR, UV-VIS, NMR, and mass spectra from external databases (NIST, SDBS) - Capture high-resolution molecular images - Save and recall molecular structures locally - Export and import structures via email WebMO is also a front-end to WebMO servers (version 14 and higher): - Supports Gaussian, GAMESS, Molpro, MOPAC, NWChem, ORCA, PQS, PSI, Quantum Espresso, VASP, Q-Chem, and Tinker computational chemistry programs - Submit, monitor, and view calculations - View formatted tabular data extracted from output files, as well as raw output - Visualize geometry, partial charges, dipole moment, normal vibrational modes, molecular orbitals, and NMR/IR/UV-VIS spectra
Aktiv Learning
This platform offers dynamic problems and interactive tools for college-level chemistry and math. It helps students visualize abstract STEM concepts and provides instructors with real-time insights into class understanding. Features include a mobile-friendly Lewis structure drawing tool and over 250 practice questions.
- Interactive Lewis structure drawing tool
- Dynamic STEM problems
- Real-time class results
- Over 250 built-in practice questions
- Create in-class or homework assignments
- Isoform recognition for answers
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Aktiv Learning is an active learning platform built specifically for college-level chemistry and mathematics. Say goodbye to static content and generic multiple choice questions and hello to dynamic problems that are designed to help students learn and visualize abstract concepts in STEM. Aktiv Learning allows chemistry instructors to ask students engaging questions, such as drawing Lewis structures, and receive real-time information on what structures the class is drawing. The app features a custom-built tool that allows students and instructors to quickly and intuitively draw Lewis structures on mobile devices. Additionally, both students and instructors have access to over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. Features: • Intuitive Lewis structures drawing tool built specifically for mobile devices - Use as engaging demonstration for your students to show example Lewis structures and reinforce concepts such as the octet rule, formal charge, and VSEPR. Students can take advantage of the drawing tool to visualize the relationship between Lewis structures and molecular shapes. • Create in-class or homework assignments - Perfect for clicker, recitation, or review problems. Students receive push notifications to alert and remind them of pending assignments. • Assign or practice with over 250 built-in questions related to Lewis structures, resonance, molecular geometries, VSEPR, hybridization, sigma and pi bonding, and molecular polarity. • Real-time class results - Quickly find common incorrect structures to address student misunderstanding before exams. • Isoform recognition - Aktiv’s technology recognizes correct answers independent of the drawn structure orientation. • Export student activity - Student participation and performance exported in a tap of a button. • Easy sign-up - Students and instructors can create accounts and join courses all within the app in a few steps. • School IT and device independent - Assign, work, and review from any mobile device and over any network connection. More content and features coming soon!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: WebMO Molecule Editor at 4.0 against Aktiv Learning's 3.2. WebMO Molecule Editor also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.0). Aktiv Learning's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and review sentiment (73% vs 60%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Both are free to download. WebMO Molecule Editor sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Aktiv Learning sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
WebMO Molecule Editor holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 184 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 60% of WebMO Molecule Editor's written reviews are positive against 73% of Aktiv Learning's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
WebMO Molecule Editor ships an update every 3 months, Aktiv Learning every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WebMO Molecule Editor | Aktiv Learning |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (40 ratings) — better | 3.2 (184 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 60.4% of reviews | 72.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 40 | 184 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 95 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | WebMO, LLC | Top Hat Monocle |
Customer experience
WebMO Molecule Editor
Aktiv Learning
Bugs and requests
WebMO Molecule Editor
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Aktiv Learning
Reported bugs
10 issues- Pop-up warnings flicker and disappear too quickly
- Drag-and-drop fails 70% of the time on iOS
- App crashes on specific problems with no recovery
- Login errors and password reset failures
- Users locked out of questions permanently
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- Window resizing issues on iPad 12.9in
- Questions don't load properly or display incompletely
- Subscripts/superscripts not displaying on Mac
- Split-screen functionality disabled
- Inconsistent performance between app and web versions
Requested features
10 requests- In-app notification system for assignment reminders
- Ability to sign up for courses on mobile app
- Split-screen functionality on iPad
- Zoom capability for periodic table
- Reset button for Lewis structure questions
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- Full solutions displayed after using all attempts
- Better hints and guidance for dimensional analysis
- School login integration on mobile app
- Improved question clarity and directions
- Subscript and superscript display on web version
In-app purchases
WebMO Molecule Editor
- WebMO Premium for paid usersFree
- WebMO Premium$4.99
Aktiv Learning
- Chem101 Course Activation$29.99
Questions
Is WebMO Molecule Editor free?
Is Aktiv Learning free?
Which has better reviews, WebMO Molecule Editor or Aktiv Learning?
Do WebMO Molecule Editor or Aktiv Learning have ads?
Which is updated more often, WebMO Molecule Editor or Aktiv Learning?
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