DNASTAR offers a robust set of features for bioinformatics analysis, particularly in sequence alignment and prediction of protein structures. SnapGene, on the other hand, excels in simplicity and intuitive DNA visualization. For academic settings, SnapGene's easy-to-use interface is perfect for teaching, while DNASTAR provides a more in-depth toolset for detailed research work. DNASTAR is slightly challenging for new users compared to SnapGene but offers more extensive documentation.

For comprehensive genomics analysis, DNASTAR stands out with its advanced functionalities and thorough analytics. SnapGene, although not as feature-rich in terms of complex data processing, is excellent for quick plasmid construction and sharing among collaborators. Essentially, DNASTAR is more suitable for research that demands heavy computation, while SnapGene's strength lies in its ease of use and superior graphical outputs.

SnapGene is incredibly user-friendly, especially for molecular cloning tasks, providing clear visualization and annotation features. DNASTAR, however, provides a wider range of analytics tools that are more geared towards experienced bioinformaticians needing detailed insights. In terms of accuracy and support, DNASTAR marginally overtakes due to its detailed technical documentation and knowledgeable support team.

While both tools are indispensable in a molecular biology toolkit, DNASTAR delivers exceptional performance in analyzing genomic variability and large-scale sequence assemblies. SnapGene, on the flip side, is unbeatable in handling everyday tasks, like plasmid mapping with straightforward user interaction. However, for academic institutions, the choice depends on the depth of analysis required; DNASTAR for extensive research, SnapGene for quick simplicity.

DNASTAR's suite of applications is powerful for detailed computational biology projects. Still, its complexity can deter novice users. SnapGene, with its modern and visually engaging interface, is perfect for routine lab work, including designing and simulating cloning experiments quickly and accurately. For cost efficiency, SnapGene is favorable for small labs due to its streamlined focus on essential functionalities.