Report updated May 18, 2026
Buffers
For researchers and laboratory professionals in chemical, biochemical, and biological fields requiring portable pH calculation tools.
Buffers is a challenged utilities app that is completely free. Users particularly appreciate the application provides a convenient and accessible interface for basic chemistry training tasks, though limited selection of buffer solutions restricts utility for advanced chemistry research applications remains a common concern.
What is Buffers?
Buffers is a utility app for designing chemical buffer solutions and calculating recipes on iOS.
Researchers hire this tool for portable, accurate pH calculations at the lab bench, but the current implementation fails to replace external references due to limited library scope.
Current Momentum
v1.7
- No updates since late 2022.
- Maintenance-mode status limits user growth.
What makes this app unique?
What Does It Look Like?
Loading...
What Are The Key Features?
Generates chemical recipes based on target pH, volume, temperature, and concentration using a proprietary algorithm
Provides a library of 42 buffering agents with pKa, pH range, temperature dependence, and molecular data
Allows users to email, text, copy, or print generated buffer recipes
How much does it cost?
- Free
The app is distributed as a free utility with no observable in-app purchases or subscription gates.
Who Built It?
Akkyra Systems
Providing specialized mathematical and scientific utility tools for students, researchers, and technical professionals. Enabling precise data analysis and custom formula design through a focused suite of mobile and desktop applications.
Portfolio
3
Apps
What other apps does Akkyra Systems make?
Explore the full Akkyra Systems report
Portfolio breakdown, audience, momentum, and every app published by Akkyra Systems.
What do users think recently?
Low confidence · 5 reviews analyzed
What is the recent mood?
Recent user voice shows a frustrated sentiment. Users appreciate the application provides a convenient and accessible interface for basic chemistry training tasks, but report limited selection of buffer solutions restricts utility for advanced chemistry research applications and functional failures in printing and email export features prevent effective data sharing.
Limited review volume (5 reviews). Sentiment analysis will deepen as more data lands.
What is the competitive landscape for Buffers?
Where is it available?
Localized markets (1)
How's The Utilities Market?
Market outlook for this category
Available very soon
The rivals identified
Nemeses(1)
NEB Tools is the primary nemesis because it dominates the laboratory reference space, providing a comprehensive suite of calculators and enzyme data that directly competes with Buffers' utility-focused value proposition.
Contenders(4)
Gasdruck is a direct utility competitor, providing specialized physical chemistry calculations for laboratory environments.
LabCal targets the same laboratory utility market with a focus on unit conversions and molecular weight calculations.
It serves the same chemistry-focused user base by providing essential, high-frequency laboratory calculations in a minimalist format.
This app competes for the same technical professional audience by offering specialized scientific calculations for instrumentation and research.
Same space(3)
GelApp is a niche laboratory utility that assists researchers with data analysis, overlapping with Buffers' research-focused user base.
AI Lab targets the broader scientific research community with utility-based tools for image classification.
It is a specialized lab productivity tool that shares the same target demographic of biological researchers.
Compare Buffers against every rival
All rivals in one side-by-side table — identity, store metrics, ratings & sentiment, and strategic intel — plus a head-to-head page for each.
The outtake for Buffers
Strengths to defend, gaps to attack
Core Strengths
- Proprietary algorithm provides superior calculation accuracy
- Portable reference library enables bench-side utility
Critical Frictions
- Non-functional export features prevent data sharing
- Rigid 42-buffer library limits professional research utility
- Lack of support channels prevents bug resolution
Growth Levers
- Custom buffer entry would address primary user complaint
- Molarity and dilution tools would consolidate user workflow
Market Threats
- High-velocity utility apps set maintenance standards
- Lack of updates erodes long-term user trust
What are the next best moves?
Repair export features because they are non-functional → restore basic utility
User complaints identify printing and email export as broken, preventing effective data sharing.
Trade-off: Pause the library expansion sprint; fixing core utility is a prerequisite for user trust.
Add custom buffer entry because it is the #1 user request → increase retention
Sentiment analysis shows the current 42-buffer library is too narrow for professional use.
Trade-off: Deprioritize UI accessibility updates; professional utility is the primary churn driver.
A counter-intuitive read
The app's lack of updates is not a failure of the product but a signal that the developer has abandoned the niche, creating an immediate opportunity for a competitor to capture the professional research segment.
Feature Gaps vs Competitors
- Custom buffer entry (absent here, requested by users)
- Molarity and dilution calculators (absent here, forces reliance on external tools)
Key Takeaways
Buffers provides a technically accurate calculation engine but fails to support professional workflows due to broken export features and a rigid library, so the PM must prioritize core functional repairs to prevent total churn.
Where Is It Heading?
Declining
The scientific utility market is shifting toward high-frequency update cycles that maintain professional trust, leaving Buffers exposed. Without a roadmap for library expansion or bug resolution, the app will continue to lose relevance to competitors that offer integrated, multi-tool research environments.
The lack of updates since 2022 indicates the product is in maintenance mode, which prevents it from addressing critical user complaints.
Broken export features force users to rely on external tools, which undermines the app's value proposition as a central lab reference.