Comparison

PhET Simulations vs NOBOOK Lab

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

NOBOOK Lab

This app offers a virtual laboratory experience with over 1000 DIY experimental equipment pieces and a library of 700+ high-quality experiments. It allows for free combination of equipment to observe phenomena and explore scientific concepts in physics and chemistry.

Highlights
  • 1000+ DIY experimental equipment
  • Interactive learning mode
  • 8 major engine algorithms for free combination
  • Observe experimental phenomena instantly
  • 700+ high-quality experiments
  • Physics and chemistry modules
  • Search experiments by knowledge points
Read full description

NOBOOK lab , Your lab ,No limits [1000+ DIY Experimental Equipment] Explore freely with 1000+ pieces of experimental equipment, and experience a brand-new interactive learning mode. Exclusive self-developed 8 major engine algorithms allow for free combination of equipment, enabling you to instantly observe experimental phenomena and results and explore the experimental methods you want! [A Vast Number of High-quality Experiments] An authoritative and comprehensive experimental resource library, covering more than 700 experiments. You can search for experiments by knowledge points, learn right away, and get started in minutes. There are high-quality experiments in multiple modules of physics including biology, optics, electricity, mechanics, and thermology; chemistry includes both organic and inorganic chemistry content.

Screenshots

PhET Simulations3 screens
NOBOOK Lab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NOBOOK Lab at Free against PhET Simulations's $0.99. NOBOOK Lab also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 14 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). PhET Simulations's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 8). On ads and device support 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

NOBOOK Lab is free to download; PhET Simulations costs $0.99 up front. NOBOOK Lab sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. PhET Simulations asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PhET Simulations holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PhET Simulations has 49 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, NOBOOK Lab monthly. Both last shipped on October 19, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
PhET Simulations versus NOBOOK Lab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhET SimulationsNOBOOK Lab
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.5 (49 ratings) — better3.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews65.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings49 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 14 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#37 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size125 MB83 MB
Age rating4+9+
DeveloperUniversity of Colorado BoulderBeiJing LeBu Educational Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

PhET Simulations

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

NOBOOK Lab

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

PhET Simulations

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

NOBOOK Lab

One-time8
  • GCSE Chemistry Month Access$15.00
  • A-Level Physics Month Access$15.00
  • GCSE Physics Month Access$15.00
Show 5 more
  • A-Level Chem Month Access$15.00
  • A-Level Chem Year Access$150.00
  • GCSE Chemistry Year Access$150.00
  • GCSE Physics Year Access$150.00
  • A-Level Physics Year Access$150.00

Questions

Is PhET Simulations free?
PhET Simulations costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NOBOOK Lab free?
NOBOOK Lab is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, PhET Simulations or NOBOOK Lab?
PhET Simulations is rated higher. PhET Simulations averages 4.5 out of 5 from 49 ratings, while NOBOOK Lab averages 3.0 from 6 ratings.
Do PhET Simulations or NOBOOK Lab have ads?
Neither PhET Simulations nor NOBOOK Lab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PhET Simulations or NOBOOK Lab?
PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, and NOBOOK Lab monthly. Most recently, PhET Simulations was updated on October 19, 2026 and NOBOOK Lab on October 19, 2026.

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