# Optics vs Physics Lab AR

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Optics | Physics Lab AR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.2 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optics/id1025745150/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-lab-ar/id1298984261/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 25.0% of reviews | **47.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 86 MB | 177 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [继岭 陈](https://appshunter.io/developer/954198643) | [Turtle Sim LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1568741108) |

## What reviewers say

### Optics

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/optics/id1025745150)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Professional | $0.99 | one-time |


### Physics Lab AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-lab-ar/id1298984261)

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.

**Highlights:** Virtual lab with AR mode, Build 3D electric circuits, 100+ circuit components, Precise scientific calculations, Electromagnetic field visualization, Design custom galaxies

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Component Subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| 60 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 120 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| 300 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| 680 Diamonds | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1280  Diamonds | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Nice app
- 🚀 Awesome app
- 💡 Good app idea
- 👍 Helpful for learning
- 👍 Useful for teachers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Unstable app
- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🔧 Needs improvements

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Optics free?

Optics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Physics Lab AR free?

Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Optics or Physics Lab AR?

Physics Lab AR is rated higher. Optics averages 3.2 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do Optics or Physics Lab AR have ads?

Neither Optics nor Physics Lab AR shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Optics or Physics Lab AR?

Optics ships an update every 3 months, and Physics Lab AR every 2 months. Most recently, Optics was updated on October 4, 2026 and Physics Lab AR on October 12, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*