# Molecules

> Education

Canonical page: [https://chrome-stats.com/d/id284943090](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id284943090)

## Overview

- **ID:** `id284943090`
- **Platform:** Apple
- **Type:** Apple app
- **Status:** Available
- **Publisher:** Sunset Lake Software
- **Category:** Education
- **Rating:** 3.60 / 5 (168 ratings)
- **Version:** 3.0
- **Last updated:** 2023-08-02
- **First published:** 2019-01-31
- **Size:** 2.53 MB
- **Data as of:** 2026-09-22
- **Store listing:** [Apple App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/molecules/id284943090)
- **Website:** [http://www.sunsetlakesoftware.com/molecules](http://www.sunsetlakesoftware.com/molecules)
- **Privacy policy:** [http://www.sunsetlakesoftware.com/privacy-policy/index.html](http://www.sunsetlakesoftware.com/privacy-policy/index.html)

## Description

Molecules is an educational Chrome extension that lets you view and manipulate 3D molecular structures with your fingers. Rotate with one finger, zoom with pinch, pan with two fingers, and switch between ball-and-stick and spacefilling visualizations.

You can store molecules on-device, load files via a standard document browser or import from iCloud and repositories like the RCSB Protein Data Bank and PubChem. Molecules is BSD-licensed open source.

## Rankings

- #122,664 — Overall

## Review summary

Users value Molecules for its 3D visualization and educational utility, including color-coded atom models and library access. Repeated issues—outdated software, unstable performance, unreliable molecule search/library, poor onboarding, and limited interactivity—undermine usability and classroom use. Until updates address compatibility, stability, and data access, the app remains difficult to rely on for modern teaching.

### Pros

- 3D visualization of molecules and 3D structures that support teaching and demonstrations.
- Educational value for chemistry and biology concepts, helpful for students and instructors.
- Built-in library access to molecules via PubChem/PDB, offering a broad set of models.
- Standard atom color-coding to identify elements quickly.

### Cons

- Outdated app with little or no updates and poor compatibility with current iOS versions and devices.
- Inconsistent or missing molecule library/search results; difficulty finding common molecules and creating new ones.
- Frequent crashes and stability problems when loading data or performing searches.
- Poor onboarding and documentation; often opens to an empty iCloud folder with no guidance.
- Limited interactivity in the 3D viewer (zoom glitches, cannot manipulate molecules) and generally weak data management/download workflow.

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Source: [Chrome-Stats](https://chrome-stats.com/d/id284943090)