PhET Simulations vs NovaSolve
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!
NovaSolve
This math learning app offers daily practice, flashcards, and quizzes to build student confidence. It features an in-app solver with step-by-step explanations and personalized study plans that adapt to performance.
- Daily practice sets
- Spaced-repetition flashcards
- Adaptive practice
- Timed quizzes
- In-app solver with explanations
- Personalized study flow
- Progress analytics
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NovaSolve is a math learning app that helps students build confidence through daily practice, flashcards, quizzes, and an in-app solver. Students can choose their course (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2), set goals (like daily study minutes and exam date), and follow a personalized study flow that adapts to their performance over time. Core learning tools include spaced-repetition flashcards, adaptive practice sets, timed quizzes, daily challenges, progress analytics, and step-by-step solver explanations. NovaSolve is designed for fast, focused learning sessions and tracks mastery by topic so users know exactly what to review next. This app is meant to make high-quality math support accessible to students regardless of their financial background. Many learners do not have access to private tutoring, paid prep platforms, or extra academic support outside school. NovaSolve is being built to close that gap by offering a practical, easy-to-use study system that helps students improve with consistent daily effort.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NovaSolve at Free against PhET Simulations's $0.99. NovaSolve also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 66%). PhET Simulations's advantage is ratings volume (49 vs 1) and chart position (#39 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
NovaSolve is free to download; PhET Simulations costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
NovaSolve holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PhET Simulations has 49 ratings behind it against 1, 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 NovaSolve's.
PhET Simulations ships an update every 14 months, NovaSolve every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | PhET Simulations | NovaSolve |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (49 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 65.5% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 49 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 14 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #39 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 18.2 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 125 MB | 3 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Colorado Boulder | Anatol Pomazau |
Customer experience
PhET Simulations
NovaSolve
In-app purchases
PhET Simulations
No in-app purchases
NovaSolve
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is PhET Simulations free?
Is NovaSolve free?
Which has better reviews, PhET Simulations or NovaSolve?
Do PhET Simulations or NovaSolve have ads?
Which is updated more often, PhET Simulations or NovaSolve?
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