Comparison

Physics Lab AR vs Quanser Interactive Labs

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

Quanser Interactive Labs

Features
Read full description

Distance learning is becoming an essential component of modern engineering education, but a unified solution to offer robust remote access to hardware for all remains elusive. Based on our industry-leading hardware platforms for controls, robotics, and mechatronics, the Quanser Interactive Labs platform delivers meaningful hardware experiences anywhere. Quanser Interactive Labs are based on virtual, high-fidelity hardware platforms that give students real hardware experiences and come with a complete student curriculum, including “check your understanding” and full assessment questions. Quanser Interactive Labs can be integrated into existing online courses, new course offerings, or used by anyone with a keen interest in hands-on engineering systems experiences. For rich content experiences focused on industrial applications of control systems, check out our free textbook by searching for Experience Controls on the App store. Quanser Interactive Labs was crafted by the academic team at Quanser, the global leader in hardware, software and course resources that transform the way educators teach the theory, application, and implementation of controls, robotics, and mechatronics. Over the last 30 years, Quanser has built our reputation creating the best experiential learning material for control systems labs. The Interactive Labs platform leverages that legacy to allow our laboratory experiences to leave campus. Over 3000 universities and institutions rely on Quanser labs and solutions to help them attract, educate and graduate a new generation of engineering leaders. Quanser Interactive Labs was developed using Quanser's qdex platform, the only full-featured authoring and content management system for STEM education. Learn more at www.qdexapps.com

Screenshots

Physics Lab AR4 screens
Quanser Interactive Labs2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Quanser Interactive Labs at none against Physics Lab AR's 7. Quanser Interactive Labs also leads on iOS requirement (11.3 vs 15.0). On price, update cadence, 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. Physics Lab AR sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Quanser Interactive Labs asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Physics Lab AR versus Quanser Interactive Labs: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Lab ARQuanser Interactive Labs
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings1.8K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.011.3 — better
Further details — not scored
Size177 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTurtle Sim LLCQuanser Consulting Inc

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

Quanser Interactive Labs

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

Quanser Interactive Labs

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Physics Lab AR free?
Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Quanser Interactive Labs free?
Quanser Interactive Labs is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Physics Lab AR or Quanser Interactive Labs have ads?
Neither Physics Lab AR nor Quanser Interactive Labs shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Lab AR or Quanser Interactive Labs?
Physics Lab AR ships an update every 2 months, and Quanser Interactive Labs every 2 months. Most recently, Physics Lab AR was updated on September 27, 2026 and Quanser Interactive Labs on September 10, 2026.

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