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Jmol vs PyMOL: catalog facts
Jmol	PyMOL
Free Free and open source.	Freemium The open-source build is free; Schrödinger's PyMOL bundles require a purchased license.
Windows, macOS, Linux	Windows, macOS, Linux
Handles molecules, crystals, materials and macromolecules Portable application that runs without installation	Long-established molecular visualization tool Raytraced rendering of molecular structures
The desktop application requires Java The scripting language takes time to learn	Official installer bundles need a paid license Aimed at scientific users rather than casual learners
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License not stated	License: Python-2.0
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.