Comparison

3D Chemistry Molecule View vs BioCaL

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

Head to head
About

3D Chemistry Molecule View

Explore the 3D structures of various molecules with this educational tool. View molecules in different stereoscopic modes and access a built-in database of hundreds of compounds. Understand the spatial arrangement of complex chemical structures.

Highlights
  • 3D molecular structure visualization
  • Multiple stereoscopic view modes (Anaglyth, Side by Side, Mirror)
  • Standard molecule manipulation (rotation, scaling)
  • Built-in database of 300+ molecules
  • Detailed information on selected molecules
Features
Read full description

See molecular shapes without squinting at flat diagrams. Browse, rotate, and inspect chemistry models in seconds, so it’s easier to study structures, compare forms, and check details without switching between sources. 3D Chemistry Molecule View helps students, teachers, and curious learners open and explore molecule models in 3D. KEY TOOLS - Browse more than 155 bundled molecules across 25 categories, including aromatics, amino acids, carbohydrates, nucleobases, neurotransmitters, drugs, and common small molecules. - Search the library and narrow results with category scopes such as All, Favorites, and Aromatics, so you can get to a molecule faster. - Open a molecule and orbit it in the mono ball-and-stick viewer to understand shape and bonding at a glance. - Turn on Spin for an automatic rotating view when you want a quick all-around look. - Tap the heart in the detail toolbar or swipe right in the library to save favorites for quick return later. - Reset camera anytime to get back to a clear starting view. - Read the details sheet for the molecule you’re viewing. - Share a PNG snapshot of the current 3D molecule view. - Check the built-in periodic table reference with 30 common elements and colors that match the viewer. - Open molecules from Spotlight for quicker access from your device search. USE IT TO Review benzene, glucose, caffeine, ATP, or amino acids before class, compare aromatics side by side while studying, or keep a quick molecule viewer handy during homework and lab prep. It’s also useful when you want to open a saved structure, favorite the molecules you revisit most, share a clean image for notes, or jump in from Spotlight instead of browsing the full library. WHY PEOPLE CHOOSE IT The app keeps the core workflow simple: browse, open, orbit, and read details. The catalog is built in, so you can start with bundled chemistry models right away, and the interface focuses on the structure instead of clutter. On larger screens, the library and molecule detail sit side by side, which makes moving through the collection feel quicker. Paid features Molecule Pro adds stereoscopic viewing with side-by-side, mirror-separated, and anaglyph modes, plus an eye-separation control for your viewer setup. You can switch from ball-and-stick to space-filling or wireframe, hide hydrogens, see an element legend for the current structure, place molecules in AR, import your own structures, measure distance, angle, and dihedral, export a study sheet or 3D file for sharing, get premium molecule packs, and save unlimited favorites. If you want to try everything first, you can preview Pro for 24 hours from the paywall. Permissions note: camera access is only needed if you choose AR placement. Open a molecule, rotate it, and make chemistry easier to picture today. Terms of Use (EULA) - http://www.apple.com/legal/itunes/appstore/dev/stdeula

About

BioCaL

Features
Read full description

Experimental research in molecular biology requires fundamental techniques such as restriction enzyme digestion and DNA ligation, which are essential for recombinant DNA technology and widely practiced in laboratories worldwide. Mastering these techniques is crucial for progress in biological research. Our app simplifies these processes by providing precise volumes for each component required in restriction digestion and ligation reactions. Users no longer need to calculate DNA volumes manually; instead, they input the desired DNA concentration, and the app calculates the necessary volumes for your reactions. The app then conveniently provides these volumes, so you can quickly set up your reactions ready for incubation at the appropriate temperatures in Eppendorf tubes. Additionally, our app offers the necessary DNA volumes for DNA assembly reactions, accommodating up to six different DNA fragment assemblies when constructing and using two or more DNA molecules. This user-friendly app ensures seamless operation, allowing instant use without the need for detailed instructions. It also guides users in sampling volumes to normalize mass and molar concentration across tubes with containing different DNA concentrations and sizes. Furthermore, it provides options for calculating various physical quantities of DNA and RNA of interest. Please note that all calculations involving DNA experiments are performed on double-stranded DNA molecules in BioCaL. The app also includes features for normalizing cell optical density to adjust the number of cells taken from different samples, as well as evaluating plasmid DNA copy number per cell and cosmid packaging efficiency, facilitating thorough analysis and efficient experiments.

Screenshots

3D Chemistry Molecule View4 screens
BioCaL4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: BioCaL at none against 3D Chemistry Molecule View's shown. BioCaL also leads on update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On price, in-app purchases 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. 3D Chemistry Molecule View sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per 7 days and BioCaL sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Chemistry Molecule View ships an update every 2 months, BioCaL every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
3D Chemistry Molecule View versus BioCaL: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D Chemistry Molecule ViewBioCaL
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.6 (10 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews18.2% of reviews—
Number of ratings10 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 days — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size11 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSandeep BhandariYoshikazu Mikawa

In-app purchases

10 purchases

3D Chemistry Molecule View

Subscriptions8
  • Weekly Subscription$1.997 Days
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Monthly Subscription$4.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Yearly Subscription Discount7 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription Sale$14.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription Special$19.991 Year
  • Pro Annual7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Yearly Subscription1 Year trial$29.991 Year
One-time2
  • Forever Pro Discount$79.99
  • Forever Pro$99.99
1 purchases

BioCaL

One-time1
  • BioCaL Premium Access$4.99

Questions

Is 3D Chemistry Molecule View free?
3D Chemistry Molecule View is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is BioCaL free?
BioCaL is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do 3D Chemistry Molecule View or BioCaL have ads?
3D Chemistry Molecule View shows ads; BioCaL does not.
Which is updated more often, 3D Chemistry Molecule View or BioCaL?
3D Chemistry Molecule View ships an update every 2 months, and BioCaL every 2 days. Most recently, 3D Chemistry Molecule View was updated on October 21, 2026 and BioCaL on October 27, 2026.

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