Comparison

NagareVisualizer Lite vs Physarum

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

Head to head
About

NagareVisualizer Lite

Features
Read full description

NagareVisualizer for iPad is an introductory application for fluid simulation. You can enjoy fluid(air or liquid) movement in various ways, even though it is difficult to recognize in our daily life. The visualizer helps you to look into fascinating flow(nagare) world.

About

Physarum

Explore the fascinating emergent behavior of slime molds through a visually rich simulation. Adjust agent parameters, influence growth with intuitive controls, and discover complex, mesmerizing patterns.

Highlights
  • Slime mold behavior simulation
  • Autonomous agent control
  • Adjustable agent parameters
  • Maze solving and network formation
  • Vibrant color modes
  • Interactive system manipulation
Read full description

Explore artificial life through a living, flowing simulation inspired by Physarum polycephalum, the slime mold famous for forming networks, solving paths, and showing intelligence without a brain. Physarum turns simple local rules into complex motion. Thousands of agents sense trails, turn, move, and deposit new traces. As the field evolves, branching networks, waves, and organic textures emerge in real time. Use Physarum to: - Tune sensor distance, turn angle, movement, and trail strength - Paint into the field and guide the simulation by touch - Explore chaotic, branching, and self-organizing patterns - Save and restore interesting agents, fields, and rules - Create vivid generative visuals with color controls It is part science toy, part generative art studio, and part meditative visual instrument. Whether you study emergent systems, teach artificial life, or simply enjoy hypnotic motion, Physarum gives you a hands-on way to watch complexity grow from simple behavior.

Screenshots

Physarum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NagareVisualizer Lite at none against Physarum's 6. NagareVisualizer Lite also leads on iOS requirement (17.6 vs 26.0). Physarum's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 9 months). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Physarum sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. NagareVisualizer Lite asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NagareVisualizer Lite ships an update every 9 months, Physarum every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
NagareVisualizer Lite versus Physarum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNagareVisualizer LitePhysarum
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—27 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS17.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size26 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInstitute of Computational Fluid DynamicsGEORGY OSTROBROD

In-app purchases

None

NagareVisualizer Lite

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Physarum

One-time3
  • Small developer tip2 variants$1.99
  • Medium developer tip2 variants$3.99
  • Big developer tip2 variants$5.99

Questions

Is NagareVisualizer Lite free?
NagareVisualizer Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Physarum free?
Physarum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do NagareVisualizer Lite or Physarum have ads?
Neither NagareVisualizer Lite nor Physarum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NagareVisualizer Lite or Physarum?
NagareVisualizer Lite ships an update every 9 months, and Physarum every 5 weeks. Most recently, NagareVisualizer Lite was updated on October 5, 2026 and Physarum on October 15, 2026.

Other comparisons