Comparison

Molecules by Theodore Gray vs Periodic Table PRO

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

Head to head
About

Molecules by Theodore Gray

Explore the molecular world with interactive simulations and detailed information. Discover how elements form compounds and witness the dynamic dance of quantum mechanics through touch. This app offers a fun and educational way to understand the nature of substances.

Highlights
  • Touch-interactive molecular dynamics simulation
  • Bend, squeeze, and shape molecules
  • Adjust temperature to observe reactions
  • Full text of the 'Molecules' book
  • Interactive object rotations
  • Dozens of 'still life videos'
Features
Read full description

INCLUDED IN BEST OF 2014 “Few iOS apps are as thoughtfully designed as Molecules, and even fewer combine superb visuals with clear writing that encourages exploration.” – Macworld “Molecules uses its predecessor as a springboard to further greatness.” – Stuff A book about molecules, and a chance to touch, stretch and twist them! Molecules by Theodore Gray is the extraordinary sequel to The Elements, the bestselling book and app. It continues the story of the elements to show how they are assembled into the rich diversity of compounds, chemicals, molecules, rocks, and stuff that make up our world. The app includes an important world first: a touch-interactive molecular dynamics simulation that lets you poke and prod hundreds of different molecules, seeing how each one reacts to your touch. Molecules are not static things – they twist, turn, vibrate, and spin in an elaborate and beautiful dance of quantum mechanics. The app incorporates the NAMD simulation engine developed by the Theoretical and Computational Biophysics Group at the University of Illinois. These are serious, scientifically accurate simulations. A few minutes playing with them will give you a deeper intuition about the true nature of molecules than years of study on paper. And while they are serious science, they are also a whole lot of fun to play with! In addition to the amazing wiggling molecules, the app contains the entire book of Molecules, with all the objects interactively rotatable so you can see them from all sides. Going further than The Elements, the app includes dozens of innovative and intriguing “still life videos” that reveal the true nature of substances through close-up interactive video. Features include: • Try out the first ever touchscreen-interactive molecular dynamics • Bend, squeeze and shape 348 different molecules using multiple fingers • Increase or decrease the temperature and see how molecules react • Read the full text of all 14 chapters of Molecules by Theodore Gray • Understand the movements of molecules in a special chapter for the app • See over 500 videos and rotations of incredible objects photographed by Nick Mann If you like Molecules by Theodore Gray, don’t forget to rate it and leave a review.

About

Periodic Table PRO

Explore a virtual chemistry lab with interactive experiments and detailed information on all chemical elements. Features include atom structure simulations, downloadable PDFs, and studying analytics to enhance learning. Supports multiple languages and offers a cohesive, functional design.

Highlights
  • Virtual chemistry lab with experiments
  • Detailed chemical element information
  • Atom structure simulations
  • Downloadable element PDFs
  • Studying analytics
  • Multi-language support
Features
Read full description

Periodic Table PRO is a multiple-awarded and certified app that provides the following: 01. A virtual laboratory with cool chemistry experiments 02. Concise information for all chemical elements 03. Multi-language support 04. In memoriam Chernobyl 05. Hidden app secrets (easter eggs) 06. Studying analytics 07. Quick search & in-place information filtering 08. Downloadable PDFs for each chemical element 09. Presentation galleries & movie-clips 10. Atom structure simulations 11. Cohesive design focused on functionality 12. Controls for haptic feedback, sounds & visual effects The app complies with IUPAC's (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) latest standardization and is used in more than 148 countries worldwide. Love the app? Rate us! We update the app regularly so we can make it better for you. If you have feedback & questions please visit our website: https://app.periodic-table.pro Periodic Table PRO - The chemistry lab in your pocket.

Screenshots

Molecules by Theodore Gray4 screens
Periodic Table PRO4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Periodic Table PRO at Free against Molecules by Theodore Gray's $9.99. Periodic Table PRO also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (87 vs 29). Molecules by Theodore Gray's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and review sentiment (75% vs 50%). On rating, ads, monetization model 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

Periodic Table PRO is free to download; Molecules by Theodore Gray costs $9.99 up front. Periodic Table PRO sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Molecules by Theodore Gray asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Molecules by Theodore Gray against 4.6 for Periodic Table PRO. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 29 and 87 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Molecules by Theodore Gray's written reviews are positive against 50% of Periodic Table PRO's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Molecules by Theodore Gray ships an update every 6 months, Periodic Table PRO every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Molecules by Theodore Gray versus Periodic Table PRO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMolecules by Theodore GrayPeriodic Table PRO
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (29 ratings)4.6 (87 ratings) — better
Positive reviews74.7% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2987 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.1 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size745 MB210 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperNatureGuides Ltd.AGILE FLEX TECH SRL

Customer experience

Molecules by Theodore Gray

All ratings29 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral3.4%
Negative6.9%
Written reviews87 reviews
Positive74.7%
Neutral17.2%
Negative8.0%

Periodic Table PRO

All ratings82 ratings
Positive91.5%
Neutral2.4%
Negative6.1%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Molecules by Theodore Gray

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Periodic Table PRO

One-time8
  • SPECIAL OFFER!$9.99
  • Chernobyl experiments$9.99
  • Explosive experiments$9.99
Show 5 more
  • Funny experiments$9.99
  • Experiments with fire$9.99
  • Gas bubbles experiments$9.99
  • Melting experiments$9.99
  • Oxidation experiments$9.99

Questions

Is Molecules by Theodore Gray free?
Molecules by Theodore Gray costs $9.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Periodic Table PRO free?
Periodic Table PRO is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Molecules by Theodore Gray or Periodic Table PRO?
Periodic Table PRO is rated higher. Molecules by Theodore Gray averages 4.6 out of 5 from 29 ratings, while Periodic Table PRO averages 4.6 from 87 ratings.
Do Molecules by Theodore Gray or Periodic Table PRO have ads?
Neither Molecules by Theodore Gray nor Periodic Table PRO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Molecules by Theodore Gray or Periodic Table PRO?
Molecules by Theodore Gray ships an update every 6 months, and Periodic Table PRO every 6 weeks. Most recently, Molecules by Theodore Gray was updated on October 23, 2026 and Periodic Table PRO on October 24, 2026.

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