Comparison

Physics Lab AR vs micro by THIX

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

Head to head
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

About

micro by THIX

Simulate the creation and evolution of microorganisms. Explore natural selection, mutation, and inter-microbial conflict in a dynamic, educational sandbox. Experiment with environmental factors and genetic traits to discover new life forms.

Highlights
  • Create bacteria, viruses, and fungi
  • Observe natural selection
  • Learn microbiology interactively
  • Edit genetic attributes
  • Experiment with environmental factors
  • Collect microbes in a library
Features
Read full description

Create bacteria, viruses and fungi. Mix them up. Watch them reproduce, mutate, fight, and evolve. Features: - observe the phenomenon of natural selection - learn microbiology in an innovative way - editable genetic attributes - experiment with spotlight, heat or antiseptics - unlimited possibilities of genetic combinations - name your own microbes - collect microbes in your library

Screenshots

Physics Lab AR4 screens
micro by THIX4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Physics Lab AR at Free against micro by THIX's $1.99. Physics Lab AR also leads on rating (4.7 vs 4.1) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 10 months). micro by THIX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and review sentiment (61% vs 47%). 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

Physics Lab AR is free to download; micro by THIX costs $1.99 up front. Physics Lab AR sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. micro by THIX asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physics Lab AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.8K ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 47% of Physics Lab AR's written reviews are positive against 61% of micro by THIX's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physics Lab AR ships an update every 2 months, micro by THIX every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Physics Lab AR versus micro by THIX: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Lab ARmicro by THIX
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better4.1 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews47.1% of reviews61.1% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better28
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 10 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.010.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size177 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTurtle Sim LLCTHIX LLC

Customer experience

Physics Lab AR

All ratings1,811 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive47.1%
Neutral7.4%
Negative45.5%

micro by THIX

All ratings28 ratings
Positive78.6%
Neutral3.6%
Negative17.9%
Written reviews36 reviews
Positive61.1%
Neutral16.7%
Negative22.2%

Bugs and 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

micro by THIX

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
None

micro by THIX

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Physics Lab AR free?
Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is micro by THIX free?
micro by THIX costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Physics Lab AR or micro by THIX?
Physics Lab AR is rated higher. Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while micro by THIX averages 4.1 from 28 ratings.
Do Physics Lab AR or micro by THIX have ads?
Neither Physics Lab AR nor micro by THIX shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Lab AR or micro by THIX?
Physics Lab AR ships an update every 2 months, and micro by THIX every 10 months. Most recently, Physics Lab AR was updated on October 1, 2026 and micro by THIX on September 27, 2026.

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