Materials VR vs Steam Lab VR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Materials VR
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Materials VR uses virtual reality to help students visualize molecular structures. Molecules can be selected from a list and rotated or moved around by the user. The Google Cardboard version includes gaze input which allows the user to gaze at a button for 2 seconds to interact with it. Currently this app only offers a couple molecules to swap between. We are planning on adding more molecules, educational structure, and ways to interact with molecules.
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.
- Interactive VR experiences
- Companion to physical kits
- Fossil digging simulation
- Space exploration
- Hands-on activity integration
- Immersive learning
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Materials VR at none against Steam Lab VR's 8. Materials VR also leads on iOS requirement (11.0 vs 13.0). 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
Both are free to download. Steam Lab VR sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year. Materials VR asks for nothing beyond the download.
Materials VR ships an update every 2 months, Steam Lab VR every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Materials VR | Steam Lab VR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.2 (13 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 13 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 11.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 36 MB | 2.6 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | University of Illinois | Abacus |
In-app purchases
Materials VR
No in-app purchases
Steam Lab VR
- Unlock All Content$14.991 Year
- Dino-Dig VR$9.99
- Solar System VR$9.99
- Shark Lab VR$9.99
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Volcano Lab VR$9.99
- Crystal Lab VR$9.99
- World Wonders$9.99
- Body Lab VR$9.99
Questions
Is Materials VR free?
Is Steam Lab VR free?
Do Materials VR or Steam Lab VR have ads?
Which is updated more often, Materials VR or Steam Lab VR?
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