Comparison

Gale Interactive vs Physics Lab AR

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

Head to head
About

Gale Interactive

Explore and manipulate 3D models in biology, chemistry, earth science, and human anatomy. This app offers interactive sessions with quizzes and reference content, accessible through school or library credentials.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D science sessions
  • Biology, chemistry, earth science, anatomy modules
  • 3D model manipulation (zoom, rotate, disassemble)
  • End-of-session quizzes
  • Reference and periodical content
  • School/library credential login
Features
Read full description

Note: Access to this resource is provided through your school or local library. You may be prompted to login using your school or library credentials. With the Gale Interactive: Science app, you have access to over 200 interactive sessions, covering biology, chemistry, earth science, and human anatomy, on your iPad. Explore and manipulate the 3D models within the sessions by zooming, rotating, and pulling them apart. Quiz yourself at the end of the session, or with separate practice sessions for chemistry. Gain context with reference and periodical content tied to the interactive sessions.

About

Physics Lab AR

Explore physics through interactive virtual experiments and augmented reality. Build and test electrical circuits with over 100 components, visualize electromagnetic fields, and even design your own galaxy. Ideal for students, teachers, and curious minds of all ages.

Highlights
  • Virtual lab with AR mode
  • Build 3D electric circuits
  • 100+ circuit components
  • Precise scientific calculations
  • Electromagnetic field visualization
  • Design custom galaxies
Features
Read full description

Are you a curious student eager to explore deeper into the physics world? Are you a science enthusiast who wants to share your ideas with others? Are you an adventurer bounded by textbook instructions and budget limits? Are you a romantic dreaming of having your own customized galaxy? Are you a teacher who wants to use fun and interactive demonstrations in your physics lessons? Learn science by doing experiments in your virtual lab with Physics Lab. With our new AR mode, you can even bring your experiments to life! In Physics Lab, you can play with various circuit components, build your own 3D electric circuits, and see how they work in real time. With 100+ circuit components to choose from (and more coming soon), the possibilities are endless. Plus, all of our experiments are backed by science and calculated with precise numbers, so you can learn and have fun at the same time. Physics Lab is not only for students, but for teachers too! Use it to demonstrate experiments in class, and help your students learn and explore in a new way. And because it's virtual, you don't have to worry about expensive lab equipment or safety concerns. Explore with freedom - Pick from 100+ circuit components (more coming!) - Drag them from the toolbox to the virtual desk and connect them the way you like - All experiment results are backed by science and calculated in precise numbers - Design your own galaxy or load from our solar system - Electromagnetic experiments with field line visualization Better than real life - Set properties of circuit components to different figures and observe changes of behavior and stats in real time - One-click to turn what you have built into an editable circuit diagram and vice versa - No expenses on lab equipments, no worry about safety issues A lab for everyone - Teachers have been using Physics Lab to demonstrate experiments and assist teaching in class - Students, in primary or high schools, can learn science and explore freely anywhere, anytime - Kids or not, curious minds now have their own virtual lab to learn knowledge by doing experiments Whether you're a teacher, student, or just someone who loves learning about physics, Physics Lab has something for everyone. Connect with us and let us know what you think, and check out our subscription options to access even more experiments and components. We can't wait to see what you create! Email: turtlesim@u.northwestern.edu =========================== Concerning Component Subscription During your subscription period, you will have access to all paid components for free, including future ones. 1) Subscription periods are one month long and will be charged to your iTunes Account at the time of purchase. 2) Your subscription is linked to your Physics Lab account. 3) You will be charged for renewals 24 hours before the end of the current period, and will be notified of the cost. 4) You can manage your subscriptions at any time in your Account Settings. 5) By purchasing a subscription, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Terms of Use: https://static.turtlesim.com/products/Term-Of-Use.txt Privacy Policy: https://static.turtlesim.com/products/Privacy-Policy.txt

Screenshots

Physics Lab AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Physics Lab AR at 4.7 against Gale Interactive's 4.0. Physics Lab AR also leads on ratings volume (1.9K vs 1) and device support (3 vs 1). Gale Interactive's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price and ads 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

Both are free to download. Physics Lab AR sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Gale Interactive asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physics Lab AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gale Interactive ships an update every 3 weeks, Physics Lab AR every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Gale Interactive versus Physics Lab AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGale InteractivePhysics Lab AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.7 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews—47.5% of reviews
Number of ratings11.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS11.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size210 MB177 MB
Age rating12+4+
DeveloperVIVEDTurtle Sim LLC

Bugs and requests

Gale Interactive

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Physics Lab AR

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes when opening experiments or circuits
  • Wires don't attach properly
  • Objects fall through the table
  • Camera position issues
  • App freezes or becomes unresponsive

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add more components like transistors and potentiometers
  • Improve camera controls and view options
  • Implement saving and loading of circuits
  • Add more tutorials and explanations
  • Support for Vietnamese and other languages
Show 1 more
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes

In-app purchases

None

Gale Interactive

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Physics Lab AR

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Component Subscription$1.491 Month
One-time6
  • 60 Diamonds$0.99
  • 10 Diamonds$0.99
  • 120 Diamonds$1.99
Show 3 more
  • 300 Diamonds$4.99
  • 680 Diamonds$9.99
  • 1280 Diamonds$19.99

Questions

Is Gale Interactive free?
Gale Interactive is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Physics Lab AR free?
Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Gale Interactive or Physics Lab AR?
Physics Lab AR is rated higher. Gale Interactive averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 from 1.9K ratings.
Do Gale Interactive or Physics Lab AR have ads?
Neither Gale Interactive nor Physics Lab AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Gale Interactive or Physics Lab AR?
Gale Interactive ships an update every 3 weeks, and Physics Lab AR every 2 months. Most recently, Gale Interactive was updated on November 6, 2026 and Physics Lab AR on November 13, 2026.

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