PhET Simulations vs Science Simulations
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Interactive science and math simulations
- Offline play capability
- Multiple language support
- Customizable favorites collection
- Automatic simulation updates
- Easy simulation sorting
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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!
Science Simulations
Explore over 150 interactive chemistry and physics simulations to understand complex science concepts. This app offers an intuitive, game-like environment for learning at home or in the classroom, with offline access to educational resources.
- 150+ interactive simulations
- Chemistry and physics concepts
- Classroom and home use
- Offline access
- Game-like learning environment
- Creative Commons licensed content
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Play and learn with more than 150 interactive chemistry and physics simulations, and dive into a wide range of science concepts. How do acid-base solutions work, what do atomic interactions look like, or what is a regression? Perfect for use in the classroom or at home, these award-winning resources create an intuitive, game-like environment that encourages exploration, discovery, and learning. Powered by Kiwix, this app provides offline access to open educational resources developed by the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder. All content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution license (CC-BY), making it freely accessible for everyone. For those who want to support the mission of the PhET project, consider purchasing the official PhET App on this store —a one-time payment for lifetime access. Whatever your level. start your journey into science today with interactive, engaging, and educational simulations!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Science Simulations at Free against PhET Simulations's $0.99. Science Simulations also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 66%) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 14 months). PhET Simulations's advantage is ratings volume (49 vs 4) and chart position (#38 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases 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
Science Simulations is free to download; PhET Simulations costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Science Simulations holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PhET Simulations has 49 ratings behind it against 4, 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 100% of Science Simulations's.
PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, Science Simulations every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and August 17, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PhET Simulations | Science Simulations |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (49 ratings) | 4.8 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 49 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 3 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #38 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 125 MB | 164 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Colorado Boulder | Wikimedia CH |
Customer experience
PhET Simulations
Science Simulations
In-app purchases
PhET Simulations
No in-app purchases
Science Simulations
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PhET Simulations free?
Is Science Simulations free?
Which has better reviews, PhET Simulations or Science Simulations?
Do PhET Simulations or Science Simulations have ads?
Which is updated more often, PhET Simulations or Science Simulations?
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