Optics vs Physics Lab AR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Optics
This app allows users to simulate various optical phenomena, including light sources, reflection, and refraction. It supports ideal lenses and mirrors, and includes tools for angular measurement. It's designed for educational purposes, helping users visualize and understand optics concepts.
- Simulate beam and point light sources
- Simulate reflection in plane or arc mirrors
- Simulate refraction in plane or arc interfaces
- Simulate ideal lens/mirror equations
- Angular measurement tool
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Optics simulation ▶Simulate various light sources:beam, and point source ▶Simulate reflection in plane or arc mirror ▶Simulate refraction in plane or arc interfaces, including both refracted and reflected rays ▶Simulate ideal lens/mirror, which obeys lens/mirror equation ▶Angular measurement
Physics Lab AR
Explore physics through interactive virtual experiments and augmented reality. Build and test electrical circuits with over 100 components, visualize electromagnetic fields, and even design your own galaxy. Ideal for students, teachers, and curious minds of all ages.
- Virtual lab with AR mode
- Build 3D electric circuits
- 100+ circuit components
- Precise scientific calculations
- Electromagnetic field visualization
- Design custom galaxies
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Are you a curious student eager to explore deeper into the physics world? Are you a science enthusiast who wants to share your ideas with others? Are you an adventurer bounded by textbook instructions and budget limits? Are you a romantic dreaming of having your own customized galaxy? Are you a teacher who wants to use fun and interactive demonstrations in your physics lessons? Learn science by doing experiments in your virtual lab with Physics Lab. With our new AR mode, you can even bring your experiments to life! In Physics Lab, you can play with various circuit components, build your own 3D electric circuits, and see how they work in real time. With 100+ circuit components to choose from (and more coming soon), the possibilities are endless. Plus, all of our experiments are backed by science and calculated with precise numbers, so you can learn and have fun at the same time. Physics Lab is not only for students, but for teachers too! Use it to demonstrate experiments in class, and help your students learn and explore in a new way. And because it's virtual, you don't have to worry about expensive lab equipment or safety concerns. Explore with freedom - Pick from 100+ circuit components (more coming!) - Drag them from the toolbox to the virtual desk and connect them the way you like - All experiment results are backed by science and calculated in precise numbers - Design your own galaxy or load from our solar system - Electromagnetic experiments with field line visualization Better than real life - Set properties of circuit components to different figures and observe changes of behavior and stats in real time - One-click to turn what you have built into an editable circuit diagram and vice versa - No expenses on lab equipments, no worry about safety issues A lab for everyone - Teachers have been using Physics Lab to demonstrate experiments and assist teaching in class - Students, in primary or high schools, can learn science and explore freely anywhere, anytime - Kids or not, curious minds now have their own virtual lab to learn knowledge by doing experiments Whether you're a teacher, student, or just someone who loves learning about physics, Physics Lab has something for everyone. Connect with us and let us know what you think, and check out our subscription options to access even more experiments and components. We can't wait to see what you create! Email: turtlesim@u.northwestern.edu =========================== Concerning Component Subscription During your subscription period, you will have access to all paid components for free, including future ones. 1) Subscription periods are one month long and will be charged to your iTunes Account at the time of purchase. 2) Your subscription is linked to your Physics Lab account. 3) You will be charged for renewals 24 hours before the end of the current period, and will be notified of the cost. 4) You can manage your subscriptions at any time in your Account Settings. 5) By purchasing a subscription, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Terms of Use: https://static.turtlesim.com/products/Term-Of-Use.txt Privacy Policy: https://static.turtlesim.com/products/Privacy-Policy.txt
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Physics Lab AR at 4.7 against Optics's 3.2. Physics Lab AR also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 5) and review sentiment (48% vs 25%). Optics's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Optics sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Physics Lab AR sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Physics Lab AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.8K ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of Optics's written reviews are positive against 48% of Physics Lab AR's.
Optics ships an update every 3 months, Physics Lab AR every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Optics | Physics Lab AR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (5 ratings) | 4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | 47.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5 | 1.8K — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 2 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 7.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 86 MB | 177 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 继岭 陈 | Turtle Sim LLC |
Customer experience
Optics
Physics Lab AR
Bugs and requests
Optics
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
Physics Lab AR
Reported bugs
5 issues- App crashes when opening experiments or circuits
- Wires don't attach properly
- Objects fall through the table
- Camera position issues
- App freezes or becomes unresponsive
Requested features
6 requests- Add more components like transistors and potentiometers
- Improve camera controls and view options
- Implement saving and loading of circuits
- Add more tutorials and explanations
- Support for Vietnamese and other languages
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- Improve stability and reduce crashes
In-app purchases
Optics
- Professional$0.99
Physics Lab AR
- Monthly Component Subscription$1.491 Month
- 60 Diamonds$0.99
- 10 Diamonds$0.99
- 120 Diamonds$1.99
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- 300 Diamonds$4.99
- 680 Diamonds$9.99
- 1280 Diamonds$19.99
Questions
Is Optics free?
Is Physics Lab AR free?
Which has better reviews, Optics or Physics Lab AR?
Do Optics or Physics Lab AR have ads?
Which is updated more often, Optics or Physics Lab AR?
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