Comparison

Physics Lab AR vs VEXcode GO

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

VEXcode GO

This coding environment offers a consistent, intuitive interface for students of all ages to learn programming through robotics. It simplifies robot control and programming with a drag-and-drop block system, making computer science accessible and engaging.

Highlights
  • Consistent interface across devices and levels
  • Drag-and-drop block coding
  • Robot control and programming
  • Built-in video tutorials
  • Cross-language support for blocks and comments
  • Educator-written help resources
Read full description

From elementary school through college, VEXcode is a coding environment that meets students at their level. The intuitive layout of VEXcode allows students to get started quickly and easily. VEXcode is consistent across Blocks and Text, across VEX GO, VEX IQ, and VEX V5. As students progress from elementary, middle, and high school, they never have to learn a different blocks, code, or toolbar interface. As a result, students can focus on creating with technology, not trying to navigate a new layout. Drive Forward is the new Hello World We all know that robots attract kids to learn. VEX Robotics and VEXcode are providing opportunities for students of all ages to participate in learning the code that makes these robots work. VEX makes computer science come to life through collaborations, hands-on projects, and engaging experiences. From classrooms to competitions, VEXcode helps to create the next generation of innovators. Drag. Drop. Drive. VEXcode is the perfect platform for those new to coding. Students use the simple drag and drop interface to create functioning programs. Each block's purpose can easily be identified using the visual cues like its shape, color, and label. We've designed VEXcode to allow those who are new to robotics to get their robot up and running faster. Now, students can focus on being creative and learning computer science concepts, not stuck trying to figure out the interface. More accessible than ever VEXcode even helps across language barriers, allowing student to read blocks and comment programs in their native language. Drag & Drop. Powered by Scratch Blocks. Students and Teachers will feel instantly at home with this familiar environment. Video Tutorials. Grasp concepts faster. Built-in tutorials cover every aspect needed to get up to speed fast. And more tutorials are coming. Help is always there. Getting information on blocks is fast and easy. These resources were written by educators, in a form both teachers and students will grasp quickly. Drivetrain Blocks. A breakthrough in simplicity. From driving forward, making precise turns, setting speed, and stopping precisely, VEXcode makes it easier than ever to control a robot. VEXcode Privacy Policy: https://www.vexrobotics.com/software-privacy-policy

Screenshots

Physics Lab AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Physics Lab AR at 4.7 against VEXcode GO's 3.2. Physics Lab AR also leads on ratings volume (1.8K vs 22) and device support (3 vs 1). VEXcode GO's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. VEXcode GO asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physics Lab AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.8K ratings behind it against 22, 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 50% of VEXcode GO's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and July 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Physics Lab AR versus VEXcode GO: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Lab ARVEXcode GO
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better3.2 (22 ratings)
Positive reviews47.1% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.8K — better22
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size177 MB727 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTurtle Sim LLCVEX Robotics, Inc.

Customer experience

Physics Lab AR

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

VEXcode GO

All ratings21 ratings
Positive52.4%
Neutral4.8%
Negative42.9%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

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

VEXcode GO

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

VEXcode GO

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Physics Lab AR free?
Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is VEXcode GO free?
VEXcode GO is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Physics Lab AR or VEXcode GO?
Physics Lab AR is rated higher. Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.8K ratings, while VEXcode GO averages 3.2 from 22 ratings.
Do Physics Lab AR or VEXcode GO have ads?
Neither Physics Lab AR nor VEXcode GO shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Lab AR or VEXcode GO?
Physics Lab AR ships an update every 2 months, and VEXcode GO every 2 months. Most recently, Physics Lab AR was updated on September 22, 2026 and VEXcode GO on July 5, 2026.

Other comparisons