Comparison

Physics Lab AR vs 3D Data Plot

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

3D Data Plot

Visualize scientific measurement data in interactive 3D scatter plots. Supports various CSV delimiters and exponential notation, with precise internal float processing. Import data seamlessly from your device, Mac, or iCloud.

Highlights
  • 3D scatter plot visualization
  • CSV file import
  • Supports various delimiters (tab, space)
  • Imports exponential notation
  • Data import from device, Mac, or iCloud
  • Precise float processing
Read full description

1. Measurement data (CSV file) can be plotted in 3D. • Interprets delimiters other than commas: tab(\t), space(\s) and so on. • Imports the 4th element, which is used as density, concentration and so on. • Imports the value represented with exponential notation "0.0E±0", which is outputted by Excel. • Internal processing in float type, which has a range of ±1E-38 to ±1E+38 with a precision of 6 decimal digits. 2. You can import CSV file in three ways: When completing within one device (iPhone/iPad/Mac). • Create a text file with an application (Notes, Textor, etc.) on the device. • In the application, tap "share button" and then choose “3dDataPlot”. Transfer from Mac to iPhone/iPad • Connect your device (iPhone/iPad) to your Mac via USB cable. • In Finder on your Mac, select the device in the left sidebar and click "File" on the button bar at the right. • Drop a text file into “3dDataPlot” folder. Import from iCloud • Sign in to iCloud.com from browser (Safari, Chrome, etc.) on your Mac. • Select “iCloud Drive”. • Drop a text file into “3dDataPlot” folder.

Screenshots

Physics Lab AR4 screens
3D Data Plot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Physics Lab AR at 48% against 3D Data Plot's 0%. Physics Lab AR also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 17 months). 3D Data Plot's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and 3D Data Plot sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physics Lab AR ships an update every 2 months, 3D Data Plot every 17 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Physics Lab AR versus 3D Data Plot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Lab AR3D Data Plot
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (1.8K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews47.5% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1.8K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 17 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS15.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size177 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTurtle Sim LLCYukiko Iwai

Customer experience

Physics Lab AR

All ratings1,811 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews122 reviews
Positive47.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative45.1%

3D Data Plot

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
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

3D Data Plot

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
1 purchases

3D Data Plot

One-time1
  • Increase Size Limit$7.99

Questions

Is Physics Lab AR free?
Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Data Plot free?
3D Data Plot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Physics Lab AR or 3D Data Plot have ads?
Neither Physics Lab AR nor 3D Data Plot shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Lab AR or 3D Data Plot?
Physics Lab AR ships an update every 2 months, and 3D Data Plot every 17 months. Most recently, Physics Lab AR was updated on October 12, 2026 and 3D Data Plot on September 16, 2026.

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