Comparison

PhET Simulations vs Mathspace for Students

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
Currently charting
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

Mathspace for Students

This app offers a digital platform for students to solve math problems online, providing instant feedback and step-by-step assistance. It features a vast library of interactive questions across various math topics and supports multiple international curricula.

Highlights
  • Interactive math problems
  • Instant feedback
  • Step-by-step help
  • Handwriting recognition
  • Extensive question bank
  • Multiple curriculum support
Features
Read full description

Mathspace is the first computer based system designed to be the right help at the right time for every mathematics student. With over 80,000 interactive lessons, questions and step-by-step support built in, it's like having a tutor available 24/7. Support at every step: Students don't just submit a final answer and hope for the best. Mathspace provides instant feedback at each step of their working, so they can catch mistakes early, understand why, and keep moving forward with confidence. Write maths naturally: Our handwriting recognition lets students write their working by hand, just as they would on paper. Mathspace reads it, marks it, and responds — no keyboard required. Adaptive learning that keeps up: Every student's path through Mathspace is personalised. Questions adapt to each learner's level, so the work is always challenging without being overwhelming. Curriculum-aligned content: - Australia: Australian Curriculum, as well as state curriculums Years 3–12 - USA: Common Core, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I & II, Geometry - UK: Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4, GCSE - Singapore: Secondary 1–4 - Hong Kong: Secondary 1–3 - International: World of Maths and International Baccalaureate For learners everywhere: Whether students are completing a teacher-assigned task or working ahead on their own, Mathspace keeps them engaged, supported, and making progress.

Screenshots

PhET Simulations3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mathspace for Students at Free against PhET Simulations's $0.99. Mathspace for Students also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (395 vs 49). PhET Simulations's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.9) and review sentiment (66% vs 30%). On 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

Mathspace for Students 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

PhET Simulations holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Mathspace for Students has 395 ratings behind it against 49, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 66% of PhET Simulations's written reviews are positive against 30% of Mathspace for Students's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, Mathspace for Students weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
PhET Simulations versus Mathspace for Students: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhET SimulationsMathspace for Students
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (49 ratings) — better3.9 (395 ratings)
Positive reviews65.5% of reviews — better29.9% of reviews
Number of ratings49395 — better
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
Best chart rank#86 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB65 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUniversity of Colorado BoulderMathspace Pty Ltd

Customer experience

PhET Simulations

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

Mathspace for Students

All ratings395 ratings
Positive70.1%
Neutral7.8%
Negative22.0%
Written reviews167 reviews
Positive29.9%
Neutral10.2%
Negative59.9%

Bugs and requests

PhET Simulations

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Mathspace for Students

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Incorrect answers marked as correct
  • Repeated questions despite completion
  • Login and account issues
  • Content loading failures

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add keyboard input option
  • Improve handwriting recognition
  • Customize question difficulty
  • Better error handling and feedback

In-app purchases

None

PhET Simulations

No in-app purchases

None

Mathspace for Students

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PhET Simulations free?
PhET Simulations costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mathspace for Students free?
Mathspace for Students is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, PhET Simulations or Mathspace for Students?
PhET Simulations is rated higher. PhET Simulations averages 4.5 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while Mathspace for Students averages 3.9 from 395 ratings.
Do PhET Simulations or Mathspace for Students have ads?
Neither PhET Simulations nor Mathspace for Students shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhET Simulations or Mathspace for Students?
PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, and Mathspace for Students weekly. Most recently, PhET Simulations was updated on October 15, 2026 and Mathspace for Students on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons