Comparison

Physarum vs Particle Lab

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

Head to head
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.

About

Particle Lab

Experience a physics simulation sandbox where tens of thousands of particles interact in real-time. Control environmental conditions like gravity and wind with intuitive sliders to observe dramatic changes in particle behavior. Customize visual effects and create your own miniature universe.

Highlights
  • Real-time particle interaction
  • Customizable environmental conditions (gravity, wind)
  • Interactive touch and drag controls
  • Visual customization (color, size, glow)
  • High-performance physics engine
  • Relaxing and meditative experience
Features
Read full description

[손끝에서 펼쳐지는 무한한 입자의 세계] 단순한 움직임을 넘어, 물리 법칙을 직접 제어하는 즐거움을 경험하세요. 이 앱은 수만 개의 파티클(입자)이 실시간으로 상호작용하는 물리 시뮬레이션 샌드박스입니다. 복잡한 수식은 필요 없습니다. 직관적인 슬라이더 조작만으로 중력, 바람의 세기, 마찰력 등 다양한 환경 조건을 변경하고, 그에 따라 드라마틱하게 변하는 입자들의 움직임을 감상할 수 있습니다. - 주요 기능: 다채로운 환경 제어: 중력(Gravity), 바람(Wind), 반발력, 마찰 계수 등 물리적 환경을 자유롭게 커스텀하세요. 실시간 인터랙션: 터치와 드래그로 입자들의 흐름을 방해하거나, 새로운 흐름을 만들어낼 수 있습니다. 시각적 커스터마이징: 입자의 색상, 크기, 발광 효과(Glow)를 조절하여 나만의 미디어 아트를 완성해보세요. 고성능 시뮬레이션: 최적화된 물리 엔진으로 수많은 입자가 끊김 없이 부드럽게 움직입니다. 힐링 & 명상: 불규칙하지만 질서 있는 입자들의 움직임을 바라보며 스트레스를 해소하세요. -이런 분들에게 추천합니다: 물리 엔진의 작동 원리가 궁금하신 분 화려한 비주얼 이펙트(VFX)를 좋아하시는 분 멍하니 화면을 바라보며 휴식(불멍, 풀멍)을 취하고 싶은 분 창의적인 실험을 좋아하는 아이들과 어른들 지금 다운로드하여 당신만의 작은 우주를 시뮬레이션해보세요!

Screenshots

Physarum4 screens
Particle Lab4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Physarum at 100% against Particle Lab's 0%. Physarum also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (34 vs 1). Particle Lab's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and update cadence (every 4 days vs every 5 weeks). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Physarum sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Particle Lab asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physarum holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physarum has 34 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Physarum's written reviews are positive against 0% of Particle Lab's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physarum ships an update every 5 weeks, Particle Lab every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Physarum versus Particle Lab: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysarumParticle Lab
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (34 ratings) — better3.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings34 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.018.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size32 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGEORGY OSTROBRODyoungchil cho

Customer experience

Physarum

All ratings12 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative8.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Particle Lab

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

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
None

Particle Lab

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Physarum free?
Physarum is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Particle Lab free?
Particle Lab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Physarum or Particle Lab?
Physarum is rated higher. Physarum averages 4.8 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while Particle Lab averages 3.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Physarum or Particle Lab have ads?
Neither Physarum nor Particle Lab shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physarum or Particle Lab?
Physarum ships an update every 5 weeks, and Particle Lab every 4 days. Most recently, Physarum was updated on November 5, 2026 and Particle Lab on October 30, 2026.

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