Comparison

Design Materials vs Photonics Solar

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

Head to head
About

Design Materials

This app serves as an offline reference guide for various design materials, including polymers and metals. It allows users to manage their own material data, view 3D models, and capture objects with their device's camera. Ideal for professionals and hobbyists involved in product design and 3D printing.

Highlights
  • Offline material reference guide
  • Custom material and resin management
  • 3D model viewer and import/export
  • Object capture via device camera
  • Favorites and notes section
  • Cross-device compatibility (iOS, macOS)
Features
Read full description

Design Materials is an offline material reference guide trusted by hundreds of Engineers, Architects and Designers all over the World. The App was created to be a personal tool to help me take design decisions during the concept ideation of industrial products, in particular for 3D printing. Due to high demand, I decided to make it public and share it's information and power. Basically, it provides the fundamentals for most design/engineer materials on the market, based on reliable and curated academic sources. In addition, you can now create and manager your own Material, Resin or Filament data. Finally, the App features Apple Intelligence (AI) with a pair of Entity Masters in material engineering and STEM: HAL 9000 and Elemento, which can be accessed 24/7 while being on or offline (no internet). The guide contains material categories such as polymers, metals, naturals and more. All of these include synthetic, organic, bio-degradable, plastic, and much more subcategories. Each material contains information such as: About, Properties, Tags, Applications, Types and Photos. HAL 9000 & Elemento (AI entities): The legend of HAL is back. Ask anything from space to robotics or biology, HAL and Elemento are Gods of material engineering and science. HAL does precise flawless analysis while Elemento brings fresh human creativity with an attitude. In addition, you can choose the Tone of AI: Formal, Friendly, Direct or Arrogant. Both AI Entities work offline 24/7. Other features includes: • AI Chat with HAL 9000 or Elemento • Material Packs (subscribers) • 3D-model viewer/import/export • Object Capture: Scan Objects • Favorites section • Offline reference (no Internet needed) • Long list of properties per material • Save Notes per material/resin/filament • Create Designs using Apple Pencil • Support for all iPhone screen sizes • Dark Mode • iPadOS support • MacOS support • Continuous Updates with New Content • UNIVERSAL PURCHASE - One Payment for all Devices New Pro version auto-renew subscriptions: - 1 year (Gold) | 3 month (Silver) | 1 month (Bronze) subscriptions* - Access to all material database ABOUT SUBSCRIPTIONS • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period.

 • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal.
 • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase.
 • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. 

• Terms of use (EULA): https://www.termsfeed.com/live/faff17b4-8765-4690-b57e-9aabde3d2950

About

Photonics Solar

Features
Read full description

Photonics Solar App is a Solar PV app that is a fully functional online platform. Photonics Solar Solar helps to work and manage the technical and sales requirement wherever you are. Photonics Solar is a common platform that connects Consumers, PV Installers, DisComs and State Nodal Agencies. Online platform together allows user to: 1. Create Solar PV (SPV) Design (Map based UI to calculate the size of the SPV system that can be installed) 2. Calculate Savings and Payback of investment 3. Get verified Solar PV Installers and quotes 4. Financial Analysis 5. Generate techno-commercial report 6. Manage solar sales with mobile, fast and colourful project management system The Photonics Solar App changes the way end customers and rooftop solar professionals work. Highlights and features of the app for Solar Professionals are listed below: 1. Lead Management 2. Financial analysis and tools to get cash flow, break-even analysis etc. 3. Use standard terms and conditions for your proposal 4. Energy output calculation 5. Customer proposal template in a customized form 6. Email a quote to your client right from your device within minutes of using this app 7. Project management via cloud technology to monitor the progress of the lead/project 8. Increase conversions with quick, detailed and professional offers

Screenshots

Design Materials4 screens
Photonics Solar4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Photonics Solar at none against Design Materials's 3. Photonics Solar also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.4 vs 18.6). On price, 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. Design Materials sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Photonics Solar asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Design Materials ships an update every 3 months, Photonics Solar every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Design Materials versus Photonics Solar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDesign MaterialsPhotonics Solar
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (2 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.613.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChrystian EnriquezAHASOLAR TECHNOLOGIES LIMITED

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Design Materials

Subscriptions3
  • Bronze member$7.991 Month
  • Silver member$17.993 Months
  • Gold member$49.991 Year
None

Photonics Solar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Design Materials free?
Design Materials is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Photonics Solar free?
Photonics Solar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Design Materials or Photonics Solar have ads?
Neither Design Materials nor Photonics Solar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Design Materials or Photonics Solar?
Design Materials ships an update every 3 months, and Photonics Solar every 3 weeks. Most recently, Design Materials was updated on October 18, 2026 and Photonics Solar on October 6, 2026.

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