# TLC Chemistry Tools vs Spectroscope

The clearest difference is price: TLC Chemistry Tools at Free against Spectroscope's $14.99. TLC Chemistry Tools also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). Spectroscope's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks) and chart position (#180 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

TLC Chemistry Tools is free to download; Spectroscope costs $14.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

TLC Chemistry Tools ships an update every 3 weeks, Spectroscope every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | TLC Chemistry Tools | Spectroscope |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $14.99 |
| Rating | **[4.7 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tlc-chemistry-tools/id997180844/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **3** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 5 days** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Best chart rank | — | **#180** |
| Size | 13 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [PoChu. Hsu](https://appshunter.io/developer/997180843) | [LEONARDO TAZZINI](https://appshunter.io/developer/1751785749) |

## What reviewers say

### TLC Chemistry Tools

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tlc-chemistry-tools/id997180844)

This app automates the process of recording and calculating Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC) data. It features auto-cropping, sample point detection, and Rf value calculation directly from your device's camera.

**Highlights:** Auto crop TLC images, Auto find sample points, Auto calculate Rf values, Image detection timer, Record and calculate TLC data

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Spectroscope

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/spectroscope/id6741684078)

**Currently charting:** #180 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is TLC Chemistry Tools free?

TLC Chemistry Tools is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Spectroscope free?

Spectroscope costs $14.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do TLC Chemistry Tools or Spectroscope have ads?

Neither TLC Chemistry Tools nor Spectroscope shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, TLC Chemistry Tools or Spectroscope?

TLC Chemistry Tools ships an update every 3 weeks, and Spectroscope every 5 days. Most recently, TLC Chemistry Tools was updated on October 24, 2026 and Spectroscope on October 8, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*