Comparison

WebMO Molecule Editor vs Backside Attack

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 3D molecular editor
  • Structure optimization
  • Orbital and symmetry visualization
  • Chemical database lookup
  • Spectra visualization
  • High-resolution image capture
  • Computational chemistry program integration
Features
Read full description

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

About

Backside Attack

This educational game helps students grasp fundamental organic chemistry concepts, specifically focusing on the SN2 reaction. It explores key variables like leaving group ability, nucleophilicity, steric factors, and solvent effects to build a strong foundation in chemistry.

Highlights
  • Learn SN2 reaction mechanics
  • Explore leaving group ability
  • Understand nucleophilicity
  • Analyze steric factors
  • Study solvent effects
  • Earn points with Check Yourself +50
  • Unlock Chem Yourself feature
Read full description

Backside Attack is an educational app targeting students learning organic chemistry for the first time. The game focuses on the SN2 reaction, which is often one of the first reactions students learn when studying organic chemistry. The SN2 reaction is great for educational purposes, as it provides a forum for students to learn about many common variables associated with chemical reactions, such as leaving group ability, nucleophilicity, steric factors, and solvent effects. The Backside Attack project is led by Dr. Neil Garg, an organic chemistry Professor at UCLA. He and six UCLA students (now alumni) devoted countless hours to creating the game flow and all content. The heroic students are: Tara Kappel, Preeya Mehta, William Parsons Stefan Prisacaru, Ernst Schmid, and Justin Soffer. Backside Attack is powered by Element26, Inc., thanks to Dr. Daniel D. Caspi. Students, be sure to: Learn even more and earn points by using the Check Yourself +50 feature on the scoring screen! Unlock the Chem Yourself feature by completing each topic!

Screenshots

WebMO Molecule Editor4 screens
Backside Attack4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Backside Attack at 4.9 against WebMO Molecule Editor's 4.0. Backside Attack also leads on review sentiment (95% vs 60%) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). WebMO Molecule Editor's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 8 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. WebMO Molecule Editor sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Backside Attack asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Backside Attack holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 40 and 74 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of WebMO Molecule Editor's written reviews are positive against 95% of Backside Attack's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

WebMO Molecule Editor ships an update every 3 months, Backside Attack every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and July 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
WebMO Molecule Editor versus Backside Attack: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterWebMO Molecule EditorBackside Attack
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (40 ratings)4.9 (74 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.4% of reviews95.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4074 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS12.09.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB178 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWebMO, LLCElement26, Inc.

Customer experience

WebMO Molecule Editor

All ratings40 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews53 reviews
Positive60.4%
Neutral9.4%
Negative30.2%

Backside Attack

All ratings74 ratings
Positive98.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative1.4%
Written reviews22 reviews
Positive95.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative4.5%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

WebMO Molecule Editor

One-time2
  • WebMO Premium for paid usersFree
  • WebMO Premium$4.99
None

Backside Attack

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is WebMO Molecule Editor free?
WebMO Molecule Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Backside Attack free?
Backside Attack is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, WebMO Molecule Editor or Backside Attack?
Backside Attack is rated higher. WebMO Molecule Editor averages 4.0 out of 5 from 40 ratings, while Backside Attack averages 4.9 from 74 ratings.
Do WebMO Molecule Editor or Backside Attack have ads?
Neither WebMO Molecule Editor nor Backside Attack shows ads.
Which is updated more often, WebMO Molecule Editor or Backside Attack?
WebMO Molecule Editor ships an update every 3 months, and Backside Attack every 8 months. Most recently, WebMO Molecule Editor was updated on September 3, 2026 and Backside Attack on July 4, 2026.

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