Side by side
MoluCAD vs MolView
Both stand on chemistry simulation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Windows
Choose MoluCAD if you are a chemistry student looking for free Windows software to build and explore molecular structures, with sample content and reaction animations. Look elsewhere if you need software for a platform other than Windows.
Visit MoluCAD Free plan APISelf-hostedWeb
MolView provides a free way to search, sketch, and view small molecules, with saving and advanced export varying by plan. Developers should note that production API use requires a subscription or production-domain license.
Visit MolViewThe facts
| MoluCAD | MolView | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Windows | API, Self-hosted, Web |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | See the plans |
| Plans published | 1 | 7 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | kinematics.com | molview.com |
| On chemistry simulation software | #14 of 33 | #10 of 33 |
MoluCAD: what it does well
- Build molecular structures in true 3D and view them from any perspective.
- Create animations of chemical reactions.
- Open, view, and modify more than 170 sample structures and animations.
- Includes built-in MM2 energy minimization and an interactive periodic table.
- Supports PDB, ENT, MOL, and MM3 input and output.
What to know first
- Designed for Windows.
- The listed audience is chemistry students, particularly organic chemistry students.
MolView: what it does well
- 3D viewer syncs automatically with the sketching canvas
- Searches by names, molecular formula, and chemical identifiers
- Supports reaction arrows and electron-pushing arrows
- Free plan needs no sign-up
- Embeddable component supports vanilla JavaScript and React
What to know first
- Free plan cannot save diagrams
- Student plan excludes advanced export and custom styling
- API sketcher is available to subscribers
- New app omits protein, crystal lattice, and spectroscopy viewing
Alternatives to MoluCAD Alternatives to MolView The whole list