Comparison

PhET Simulations vs GeoGebra Augmented Reality

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

Head to head
About

PhET Simulations

Explore science and math concepts through interactive simulations. This app provides over 75 HTML5 simulations for learning about atoms, energy, multiplication, and more. It's ideal for students, parents, and educators, offering offline access and multiple language support.

Highlights
  • Interactive science and math simulations
  • Offline play capability
  • Multiple language support
  • Customizable favorites collection
  • Automatic simulation updates
  • Easy simulation sorting
Features
Read full description

Engage in learning science and math with the award-winning PhET simulations! Whether understanding atoms, exploring energy, or mastering multiplication, there is a sim for every learner. Perfect for at home, in class, or on the road, this app delivers all PhET HTML5 sims (over 75 sims) in one easy-to-use package. Developed by experts at the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET sims are used by millions of students every year. The PhET iPad app delivers these exclusive features: • Offline play: learn on the bus or at the park without a WiFi connection. • Multiple languages: app translate in many languages (great for bilingual learners). • Favorites: pick your favorite sims and create your own custom collection. • Automatic updates: get the latest HTML5 sims as soon as they are released. • Easy sorting: find the right sims for you. • Fullscreen: maximize your screen real estate for optimal sim exploration. PARENTS: Engage your child in science and math discovery. TEACHERS: Your favorite HTML5 sims at your fingertips, even without internet access. ADMINISTRATORS: Optimized for school use, so your teachers will be seamlessly up to date. STUDENTS: Tell your parents there’s an exciting app for learning science and math. Note: The app does not include PhET’s Java or Flash sims. In addition, although we are currently working on improving the accessibility of our sims, most of the sims included in this app do not include keyboard navigation or screen reader access. As accessible sims become available, they will be updated within the app. Proceeds from the app support the development of more HTML5 sims. On behalf of the PhET team and the students whose lives you have helped improve — Thank you!

About

GeoGebra Augmented Reality

Explore 3D mathematical concepts in your real-world environment. Place and interact with virtual math objects on any flat surface, then capture unique perspectives through screenshots. Ideal for learning and teaching math with augmented reality.

Highlights
  • Place 3D math objects on any surface
  • Walk around and view objects from different angles
  • Take screenshots from various perspectives
  • Explore guided activities
  • Discover math in the real world
Read full description

Place math objects on any surface, walk around them, and take screenshots from different angles. Millions of people around the world use GeoGebra to learn mathematics and science. Join us! This app includes several examples of 3D math objects that you can place on your table, floor or any flat surface around you. Guided activities lead you to discover math in the real world by taking screenshots from different perspectives. We created this app to explore the potential of augmented reality for learning and teaching mathematics. This is just the start for GeoGebra AR! We would love to hear your ideas for 3D models you want to see in updates and features for v2! Message us @geogebra or write us at support@geogebra.org. Thanks!

Screenshots

PhET Simulations3 screens
GeoGebra Augmented Reality4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: GeoGebra Augmented Reality at Free against PhET Simulations's $0.99. GeoGebra Augmented Reality also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 14 months) and review sentiment (86% vs 66%). PhET Simulations's advantage is chart position (#6 vs unranked). On rating, ratings volume, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

GeoGebra Augmented Reality is free to download; PhET Simulations costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for PhET Simulations against 4.5 for GeoGebra Augmented Reality. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 48 and 50 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 66% of PhET Simulations's written reviews are positive against 86% of GeoGebra Augmented Reality's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, GeoGebra Augmented Reality every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
PhET Simulations versus GeoGebra Augmented Reality: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhET SimulationsGeoGebra Augmented Reality
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (48 ratings) — better4.5 (50 ratings)
Positive reviews65.5% of reviews86.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4850 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#6 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of Colorado BoulderGeoGebra GmbH

Customer experience

PhET Simulations

All ratings49 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews145 reviews
Positive65.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative30.3%

GeoGebra Augmented Reality

All ratings50 ratings
Positive86.0%
Neutral6.0%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews50 reviews
Positive86.0%
Neutral8.0%
Negative6.0%

In-app purchases

None

PhET Simulations

No in-app purchases

None

GeoGebra Augmented Reality

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PhET Simulations free?
PhET Simulations costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is GeoGebra Augmented Reality free?
GeoGebra Augmented Reality is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PhET Simulations or GeoGebra Augmented Reality?
PhET Simulations is rated higher. PhET Simulations averages 4.5 out of 5 from 48 ratings, while GeoGebra Augmented Reality averages 4.5 from 50 ratings.
Do PhET Simulations or GeoGebra Augmented Reality have ads?
Neither PhET Simulations nor GeoGebra Augmented Reality shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhET Simulations or GeoGebra Augmented Reality?
PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, and GeoGebra Augmented Reality every 6 weeks. Most recently, PhET Simulations was updated on October 24, 2026 and GeoGebra Augmented Reality on October 21, 2026.

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