Comparison

Lab4U vs Physics Lab AR

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Lab4U

This app transforms your device into a scientific tool for hands-on biology, physics, and chemistry experiments. Explore real-time data using your phone's sensors to learn and teach science in an engaging, inquiry-based manner.

Highlights
  • Real-time sensor experiments
  • Biology, physics, and chemistry labs
  • Inquiry-Based Learning methodology
  • Curriculum-aligned content
  • Scientific thinking development
  • Device camera, microphone, and motion sensor integration
Features
Read full description

Lab4U is an educational app that allows you to experiment with biology, physics and chemistry in a fun and easy way, transforming the way science is learned and taught. With Lab4U you will experiment in real time using the different sensors of your device, such as the camera, microphone, motion sensor, and others, turning your phone into a powerful scientific tool. Through our Inquiry-Based Learning, with Lab4U you will explore and analyze images of nature with Lab4Biology experiments, determine the color and concentration of chemical reactions with Lab4Chemistry experiences, and analyze the force and acceleration of a moving object with the experimentation activities offered by Lab4Physics. Find each of these contents in the Labs section of the app. Tools and experiments at Lab4U are aligned to the educational curriculum and thus carry out incredible, entertaining and deep learning experiences that will enhance the development of scientific thinking, preparing the talents that the 21st century requires. We invite you to download the new Lab4U app and experiment with us!

About

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.

Highlights
  • Virtual lab with AR mode
  • Build 3D electric circuits
  • 100+ circuit components
  • Precise scientific calculations
  • Electromagnetic field visualization
  • Design custom galaxies
Features
Read full description

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

Lab4U4 screens
Physics Lab AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: Physics Lab AR at 1.8K against Lab4U's 10. Physics Lab AR also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (48% vs 36%). Lab4U's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Lab4U sells 4 one-off in-app purchases 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physics Lab AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.8K ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 36% of Lab4U's written reviews are positive against 48% of Physics Lab AR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lab4U ships an update fortnightly, Physics Lab AR every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Lab4U versus Physics Lab AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLab4UPhysics Lab AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (10 ratings)4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better
Positive reviews36.4% of reviews47.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings101.8K — better
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size104 MB177 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLab4U Inc.Turtle Sim LLC

Customer experience

Lab4U

All ratings10 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.0%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral9.1%
Negative54.5%

Physics Lab AR

All ratings1,811 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews122 reviews
Positive47.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative45.1%

Bugs and requests

Lab4U

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 more
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Lab4U

One-time4
  • Lab4physics TrialFree
  • Lab4U TrialFree
  • Lab4Physics Premium$45.99
Show 1 more
  • Lab4U Premium$45.99
7 purchases

Physics Lab AR

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Component Subscription$1.491 Month
One-time6
  • 60 Diamonds$0.99
  • 10 Diamonds$0.99
  • 120 Diamonds$1.99
Show 3 more
  • 300 Diamonds$4.99
  • 680 Diamonds$9.99
  • 1280 Diamonds$19.99

Questions

Is Lab4U free?
Lab4U 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, Lab4U or Physics Lab AR?
Physics Lab AR is rated higher. Lab4U averages 4.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 from 1.8K ratings.
Do Lab4U or Physics Lab AR have ads?
Neither Lab4U nor Physics Lab AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lab4U or Physics Lab AR?
Lab4U ships an update fortnightly, and Physics Lab AR every 2 months. Most recently, Lab4U was updated on September 23, 2026 and Physics Lab AR on October 14, 2026.

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