Comparison

DifCal vs Lattica

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

Head to head
About

DifCal

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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

Lattica

Visualize atomic arrangements and lattice systems in stunning 3D. This educational tool brings complex crystal structures to life, making it ideal for students and researchers in chemistry, materials science, and crystallography.

Highlights
  • 3D Crystal Models
  • Lattice Visualization
  • Interactive Exploration
  • Zoom and Rotate Structures
  • Detailed Visuals
Read full description

Save crystal structures, organize them in a personal library, and inspect unit cells and atomic positions in 3D. CrystalStructure helps you keep lattice parameters, space groups, and atomic sites together so you can quickly return to structures from papers, textbooks, or your own notes.

Screenshots

DifCal4 screens
Lattica3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Lattica at Free against DifCal's $1.99. DifCal's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Lattica is free to download; DifCal costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DifCal ships an update every 15 months, Lattica every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on May 16, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
DifCal versus Lattica: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDifCalLattica
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—3.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 15 monthsEvery 9 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSean BrennanSota Iguchi

In-app purchases

None

DifCal

No in-app purchases

None

Lattica

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DifCal free?
DifCal costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lattica free?
Lattica is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DifCal or Lattica have ads?
Neither DifCal nor Lattica shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DifCal or Lattica?
DifCal ships an update every 15 months, and Lattica every 9 months. Most recently, DifCal was updated on May 16, 2026 and Lattica on September 21, 2026.

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