Comparison

MEL VR Science Simulations vs Steam Lab VR

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

Head to head
About

MEL VR Science Simulations

Explore chemistry and physics through immersive virtual reality simulations and interactive labs. This app transforms learning complex scientific concepts into an engaging and entertaining experience, perfect for students and educators.

Highlights
  • Virtual reality science simulations
  • Interactive labs and lessons
  • Chemistry and physics curriculum alignment
  • Molecular and atomic level exploration
  • Interactive periodic table
  • Over 70 VR lessons, labs, and simulations
Features
Read full description

MEL VR Science Simulations is a growing series of science simulations, lessons, and labs covering chemistry and physics. Made to fit right into the school curriculum, virtual reality turns studying into an interactive and immersive experience, making learning entertaining. Become a researcher in a scientific laboratory You will enter the MEL Virtual Laboratory, where you will zoom in on such seemingly simple objects like a pencil or a balloon, fly between molecules and atoms, and understand the differences between solids and gaseous substances at a molecular level! Immerse yourself in the world of chemistry and physics and see how it looks from the inside. With the virtual reality glasses you will see chemical compounds and physical reactions inside everyday objects. Don’t memorize, understand! It’s not enough to memorize formulas from a textbook. To understand the concepts of science, shrink down to the molecular and atomic level, immerse yourself in different types of matter and see how atoms and molecules interact from a whole new perspective. Online school in virtual reality It is difficult to retain the attention of children with formulas and boring textbooks. Immersed in virtual reality, nothing distracts from study. Short 5-minute VR lessons, interactive labs, and simulations are an excellent way to understand complex chemical and physical concepts through engaging visualizations. With MEL VR Science Simulations, science becomes a favorite subject at home and at school. To cover all the main topics, at present the application contains a growing library of over 70 VR lessons, labs, and simulations: Discover that an atom consists of a tiny nucleus, surrounded by an electron cloud. Learn about the three main subatomic particles: electrons, protons and neutrons. You will see how atoms are arranged in ordinary items like pencils and balloons. Find out that atoms in solids do not remain motionless, but are in motion all the time! Dive into gaseous helium and see how these atoms behave. What happens with atoms when the temperature increases? In the interactive laboratory you can assemble any atoms, and study the structure of their electron orbitals. Assemble any molecule and see how they take shape. Learn the difference between the structural and skeletal formula. Look at the real position of atoms in a molecule and the bonds between them. Use our interactive periodic table to find out how the periodic table is arranged. Why the elements are placed in this order, and what information you can learn from the position of an element in the periodic table. You can select any element, and see the structure of its atoms and electron configuration. MEL VR Science simulations also has lessons, labs, and simulations covering isotopes, electrons, ions,the periodic table, molecular formulas, isomers, electrostatics and much more. The future of education is already here, download the MEL VR Science simulations application right now! All content is also available to view in 2D. Language options available. For educational licensing or bulk purchasing, contact vr@melscience.com

About

Steam Lab VR

This app enhances physical toy kits with interactive virtual reality experiences. Dig for fossils or explore the universe after building a planetarium. It's a companion to tangible projects, offering immersive digital adventures.

Highlights
  • Interactive VR experiences
  • Companion to physical kits
  • Fossil digging simulation
  • Space exploration
  • Hands-on activity integration
  • Immersive learning
Features
Read full description

STEAM LAB VR combines our physical toys with interactive experiences. Imagine digging out a dinosaur fossil and then visiting fossil rich sites, or building a planetarium and flying through the universe. This app is designed to blend our tangible projects and activities with immersive experiences in virtual reality! Each physical kit comes with an informative book, a fun hands on activity, and VR goggles! This is a companion app for a physical kit.

Screenshots

MEL VR Science Simulations4 screens
Steam Lab VR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Steam Lab VR at 4.3 against MEL VR Science Simulations's 3.8. MEL VR Science Simulations's advantage is ratings volume (90 vs 15). 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. MEL VR Science Simulations sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Steam Lab VR sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Steam Lab VR holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MEL VR Science Simulations has 90 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 56% of MEL VR Science Simulations's written reviews are positive against 50% of Steam Lab VR's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MEL VR Science Simulations ships an update every 2 months, Steam Lab VR every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
MEL VR Science Simulations versus Steam Lab VR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMEL VR Science SimulationsSteam Lab VR
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (90 ratings)4.3 (15 ratings) — better
Positive reviews56.1% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings90 — better15
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.013.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.1 GB2.6 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMEL Science LimitedAbacus

Customer experience

MEL VR Science Simulations

All ratings89 ratings
Positive68.5%
Neutral3.4%
Negative28.1%
Written reviews41 reviews
Positive56.1%
Neutral9.8%
Negative34.1%

Steam Lab VR

All ratings13 ratings
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

MEL VR Science Simulations

One-time8
  • Atoms lessons pack$9.99
  • Periodic Table lessons pack$9.99
  • Molecules lessons pack$9.99
Show 5 more
  • Gas Laws lessons pack$9.99
  • Isomerism lessons pack$9.99
  • Electrostatics lessons pack$9.99
  • Temperature lessons pack$9.99
  • Substances lessons pack$9.99
8 purchases

Steam Lab VR

Subscriptions1
  • Unlock All Content$14.991 Year
One-time7
  • Dino-Dig VR$9.99
  • Solar System VR$9.99
  • Shark Lab VR$9.99
Show 4 more
  • Volcano Lab VR$9.99
  • Crystal Lab VR$9.99
  • World Wonders$9.99
  • Body Lab VR$9.99

Questions

Is MEL VR Science Simulations free?
MEL VR Science Simulations is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Steam Lab VR free?
Steam Lab VR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, MEL VR Science Simulations or Steam Lab VR?
Steam Lab VR is rated higher. MEL VR Science Simulations averages 3.8 out of 5 from 90 ratings, while Steam Lab VR averages 4.3 from 15 ratings.
Do MEL VR Science Simulations or Steam Lab VR have ads?
Neither MEL VR Science Simulations nor Steam Lab VR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MEL VR Science Simulations or Steam Lab VR?
MEL VR Science Simulations ships an update every 2 months, and Steam Lab VR every 6 weeks. Most recently, MEL VR Science Simulations was updated on October 22, 2026 and Steam Lab VR on October 21, 2026.

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