Comparison

Labs | Bio vs Physarum

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

Head to head
About

Labs | Bio

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A foray into bioinformatics.

About

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.

Highlights
  • Slime mold behavior simulation
  • Autonomous agent control
  • Adjustable agent parameters
  • Maze solving and network formation
  • Vibrant color modes
  • Interactive system manipulation
Read full description

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

Labs | Bio3 screens
Physarum4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Physarum at Free against Labs | Bio's $1.99. Labs | Bio's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). On 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

Physarum is free to download; Labs | Bio costs $1.99 up front. Physarum sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Labs | Bio asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Labs | Bio ships an update monthly, Physarum every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 4, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Labs | Bio versus Physarum: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLabs | BioPhysarum
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating—4.8 (32 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—32 — better
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNot ApplicableGEORGY OSTROBROD

In-app purchases

None

Labs | Bio

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Physarum

One-time3
  • Small developer tip2 variants$1.99
  • Medium developer tip2 variants$3.99
  • Big developer tip2 variants$5.99

Questions

Is Labs | Bio free?
Labs | Bio costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Physarum free?
Physarum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Labs | Bio or Physarum have ads?
Neither Labs | Bio nor Physarum shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Labs | Bio or Physarum?
Labs | Bio ships an update monthly, and Physarum every 5 weeks. Most recently, Labs | Bio was updated on November 4, 2026 and Physarum on October 30, 2026.

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