CompoundLookup vs PubChem vs ChemSpider: What's the Difference?
Compare CompoundLookup with traditional chemistry databases and understand when to use each tool.
Chemistry Database Comparison
PubChem
What it is: The world's largest free chemistry database, maintained by NIH.
- Comprehensive data (100+ million compounds)
- Detailed compound properties
- Bioassay data
- Free and authoritative
Limitations:
- Requires exact formula or name
- No element-based search
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
Best for: Detailed research when you know exactly what compound you're looking for.
ChemSpider
What it is: Royal Society of Chemistry's database with integrated data sources.
- Aggregates multiple databases
- Good structure search
- Property predictions
Limitations:
- Requires formula or structure
- No element-based search
- Some features require registration
Best for: Structure-based searches and property predictions.
CompoundLookup
What it is: The world's first element-based compound search engine.
- Search by selecting elements (unique!)
- No formula knowledge required
- Intuitive periodic table interface
- Perfect for exploration and learning
Limitations:
- Less detailed property data
- Links to PubChem for full details
- Database still growing
Best for: Discovering compounds, learning chemistry, initial research when you don't know the formula.
When to Use Each Tool
| Scenario | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Know the exact formula | PubChem |
| Have a structure drawing | ChemSpider |
| Want to explore element combinations | CompoundLookup |
| Need detailed bioassay data | PubChem |
| Learning chemistry | CompoundLookup |
| Quick compound discovery | CompoundLookup |
The CompoundLookup Advantage
The key differentiator is simple: no other tool lets you search by elements.
Traditional workflow:
- Wonder what compounds C and N form
- Search "carbon nitrogen compounds" on Google
- Find scattered, incomplete information
- Manually search each formula in PubChem
CompoundLookup workflow:
- Click C, click N
- See ALL carbon-nitrogen compounds instantly
We're not replacing PubChem or ChemSpider— we're filling a gap they can't fill. Use CompoundLookup for discovery, then click through to PubChem for detailed data.
Try Element-Based Search