ChemLab vs MolView
ChemLab
modelscience.comMolView
molview.comSide by side
| Figure | ChemLab | MolView |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $0.75/mo |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 10 | 7 |
| Spec score · Chemistry Simulation Software | 9.0 (#3) | 8.7 (#4) |
| Integrations | ChemLab integrates with the RasMol molecular viewer and includes an integrated Periodic Table application with a quiz. | The legacy service retrieves data from PubChem, RCSB Protein Data Bank, NIST Chemistry WebBook, Crystallography Open Database and NCI/CADD Chemical Identifier Resolver. |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says the company does not sell or rent information and does not use cookies on its website. | The privacy policy says account personal information is stored in a database and anonymized usage data is collected through Google Analytics 4. |
| Purpose | Model ChemLab is an interactive chemistry lab simulation with a lab notebook workspace for theory, procedures and student observations. | MolView is a web app for sketching and viewing small molecules. |
| Support | Registered ChemLab users can obtain technical support by email at [email protected] or by phone at (519) 570-0335. | The help center page says it is under construction; the contact page lists [email protected] for questions and ideas. |
Plans
ChemLab
- ChemLab Standard v3.0 for Windows$33.99, paid once
- ChemLab Standard v5 (64-bit) for MacOS$33.99, paid once
- Model ChemLab Standard for iPad$33.99, paid once
- ChemLab Professional v3.0 (Instructor) for Windows$135, paid once
- ChemLab Professional v5 (64-bit) for MacOS$139.99, paid once
- Single Academic Pro + Five Students$275, paid once
- Single Academic Pro + Ten Students$360, paid once
- Single Academic Pro + 20 Students$520, paid once
- Single Academic Pro + 30 Students$635, paid once
- Building Wide Site License$1,000, paid once
MolView
- FreeFree
- Student$9 a year
- Academic$49 a year
- Standard$99 a year
- Publisher$250 a year
- EnterprisePriced on request
- InstitutionPriced on request
In their own words
ChemLab
ChemLab is an interactive chemistry lab simulation for high-school and college general chemistry. It pairs simulated experiments with a lab notebook for theory, procedures, and student observations. Pre-designed labs cover subjects including acid-base reactions, electrochemistry, equilibrium, gas laws, kinetics, redox, and stoichiometry, with additional simulations available from third parties. Animated experiments, plug-in lab extensions, and tools to record and replay demonstrations support instruction. Standard lets students run simulations; Professional adds Lab Wizard tools for instructors to run, edit, and create labs, plus an expandable chemical database. Professional users can capture a simulation, add comments, and save a distributable demonstration for Standard users to play back. The product lists RasMol integration and an integrated periodic table application with a quiz. It is described for distance learning, pre-lab work, demonstrations, and lab run-throughs, including experiments that are dangerous, environmentally hazardous, expensive, or lengthy. It is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Single-user Standard licenses start at $33.99, paid once.
MolView
MolView is a web application for sketching and viewing small molecules, with API access and molecular modeling support. Its canvas handles structural formulas, reaction arrows, electron-pushing arrows, configurable styles, and keyboard shortcuts. A 3D viewer updates automatically as you edit a molecule. Chemical searches accept common names, IUPAC names, SMILES, InChI, InChIKey, and molecular formulas. Depending on the plan, you can save and load sketcher or viewer content, create shareable links, export structural data or SVG files, use transparent backgrounds, and set image resolution. Developers can embed the sketcher web component in vanilla JavaScript or React and customize its toolbar and diagram style. The free plan needs no sign-up and supports searching, sketching, and viewing, but cannot save diagrams. Paid plans include Student at $9.00 per year, Publisher at $250.00 per year, Academic at $4919.00 per year, and Standard at $9919.00 per year.