Comparison

DifCal vs Crystalz

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

Head to head
About

DifCal

Features
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Calculate diffraction angles for a particular crystal with a defined orientation matrix. New crystals can be added to the database. Energy/wavelength can be changed. Currently knows about 4-circle, Z-Axis and Theta-Theta diffractometers as well as 2-circle, powder and amorphous diffraction modes. Current crystals include silicon, diamond, GaAs, Muscovite (mica), graphite, many 3-5 and 2-6 crystals. There are separate screens for setting the crystal (or creating a new one), defining the orientation matrix, defining the diffractometer mode, and calculating either angles, given h,k,l, or hkl given a set of angles. With the larger screen of the iPad all the controls are visible on a single page.

About

Crystalz

Visualize and understand complex crystal lattice structures with interactive 3D models. Explore all 14 Bravais lattices, rotate them from any angle, and access detailed information on cell sizes and angles. Includes special viewing modes for cubic structures.

Highlights
  • 3D crystal lattice models
  • 14 Bravais lattice structures
  • Interactive rotation and viewing
  • Cell size and angle information
  • Space filling mode
  • Unit cell mode
Features
Read full description

Atoms connect in many different ways, a concept that can be difficult to understand without being able to really see what’s going on! Learning and understanding how crystal structures form is precisely one of those topics. Designed by professional educators, Crystalz is the world’s premiere crystal lattice visualization app. Using high definition, three-dimensional models, Crystalz allows the user to view and manipulate all 14 Bravais lattice structures. A perfect textbook companion, this app allows the user to rotate and view the shapes of crystals from any viewpoint as well as see information about cell sizes and angles. Additionally, for the three cubic lattice structures, Crystalz includes two extra viewing modes: a space filling mode that shows the atoms without a wire frame, and a unit cell mode that shows only the portions of the atoms designated to each unit cell. If you’re a chemistry student or just interested in how crystal structures work, then Crystalz is for you!

Screenshots

DifCal4 screens
Crystalz4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: DifCal at Free against Crystalz's $0.99. Crystalz's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 15 months). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

DifCal is free to download; Crystalz costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DifCal ships an update every 15 months, Crystalz every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences Β· 6 level
DifCal versus Crystalz: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDifCalCrystalz
PriceFree β€” better$0.99
Positive reviewsβ€”20.0% of reviews
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 5 weeks β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetizationβ€”Paid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size9 MB233 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSean BrennanJeremy Burkett

In-app purchases

None

DifCal

No in-app purchases

None

Crystalz

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DifCal free?
DifCal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Crystalz free?
Crystalz costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do DifCal or Crystalz have ads?
Neither DifCal nor Crystalz shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DifCal or Crystalz?
DifCal ships an update every 15 months, and Crystalz every 5 weeks. Most recently, DifCal was updated on October 10, 2026 and Crystalz on October 14, 2026.

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