BugSim vs Physarum
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BugSim
Explore Darwinian evolution through a simulation game where virtual bugs learn to survive and hunt bacteria. This educational app is based on a concept from a 1989 Scientific American article.
- Darwinian evolution simulation
- Survival of the fittest mechanics
- Bugs hunt bacteria
- Educational gameplay
- Based on Scientific American concept
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Bugs is a simulation game for Darwinian evolution, specifically through survival of the fittest. This program based on an idea presented in the May 1989 issue of Scientific American in an article titled Simulated Evolution: wherein bugs learn to hunt bacteria, by A. K. Dewdney.
Physarum
Explore the fascinating emergent behavior of slime molds through a visually rich simulation. Adjust agent parameters, influence growth with intuitive controls, and discover complex, mesmerizing patterns.
- Slime mold behavior simulation
- Autonomous agent control
- Adjustable agent parameters
- Maze solving and network formation
- Vibrant color modes
- Interactive system manipulation
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Explore artificial life through a living, flowing simulation inspired by Physarum polycephalum, the slime mold famous for forming networks, solving paths, and showing intelligence without a brain. Physarum turns simple local rules into complex motion. Thousands of agents sense trails, turn, move, and deposit new traces. As the field evolves, branching networks, waves, and organic textures emerge in real time. Use Physarum to: - Tune sensor distance, turn angle, movement, and trail strength - Paint into the field and guide the simulation by touch - Explore chaotic, branching, and self-organizing patterns - Save and restore interesting agents, fields, and rules - Create vivid generative visuals with color controls It is part science toy, part generative art studio, and part meditative visual instrument. Whether you study emergent systems, teach artificial life, or simply enjoy hypnotic motion, Physarum gives you a hands-on way to watch complexity grow from simple behavior.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Physarum at 4.8 against BugSim's 4.0. Physarum also leads on update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 33 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). BugSim's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 26.0). On price, 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. Physarum sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. BugSim asks for nothing beyond the download.
Physarum holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physarum has 27 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of BugSim's written reviews are positive against 100% of Physarum's.
BugSim ships an update every 33 months, Physarum every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BugSim | Physarum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (1 ratings) | 4.8 (27 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 80.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 27 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 33 months | Every 5 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Mike Wesemann | GEORGY OSTROBROD |
Customer experience
BugSim
Physarum
In-app purchases
BugSim
No in-app purchases
Physarum
- Small developer tip2 variants$1.99
- Medium developer tip2 variants$3.99
- Big developer tip2 variants$5.99
