Comparison

Sketchalyze vs Physics Lab AR

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

Head to head
About

Sketchalyze

This app allows users to sketch and analyze structural systems directly on their iPad. It provides instant visualization of analysis results like deformations and section forces, performing finite element analysis in the background. Users can define cross-sections, apply loads, and visualize results for linear and nonlinear analyses.

Highlights
  • Sketch structural systems
  • Instant analysis results visualization
  • Finite element analysis
  • Tabulated and user-defined cross sections
  • Truss and beam element types
  • Linear and nonlinear analysis
  • Load-deflection curves
Features
Read full description

Sketch and analyze structural systems on the iPad. In Sketchalyze, Analysis results such as deformations and section forces are visualized instantly, a finite element analysis is performed in the background whenever needed. Features: - Tabulated and user defined cross sections - Truss and beam element types - Line and point loads on beam elements - Listing of model and result data - Share models via email and Facebook - Linear and geometrical nonlinear (load or displacement controlled) analysis - Load-deflection curves for nonlinear analysis - Visualization of kinematic modes for unsufficiently constrained systems - Background image for creating models of structures from photographs or drawings

About

Physics Lab AR

Explore physics through interactive virtual experiments and augmented reality. Build and test electrical circuits with over 100 components, visualize electromagnetic fields, and even design your own galaxy. Ideal for students, teachers, and curious minds of all ages.

Highlights
  • Virtual lab with AR mode
  • Build 3D electric circuits
  • 100+ circuit components
  • Precise scientific calculations
  • Electromagnetic field visualization
  • Design custom galaxies
Features
Read full description

Are you a curious student eager to explore deeper into the physics world? Are you a science enthusiast who wants to share your ideas with others? Are you an adventurer bounded by textbook instructions and budget limits? Are you a romantic dreaming of having your own customized galaxy? Are you a teacher who wants to use fun and interactive demonstrations in your physics lessons? Learn science by doing experiments in your virtual lab with Physics Lab. With our new AR mode, you can even bring your experiments to life! In Physics Lab, you can play with various circuit components, build your own 3D electric circuits, and see how they work in real time. With 100+ circuit components to choose from (and more coming soon), the possibilities are endless. Plus, all of our experiments are backed by science and calculated with precise numbers, so you can learn and have fun at the same time. Physics Lab is not only for students, but for teachers too! Use it to demonstrate experiments in class, and help your students learn and explore in a new way. And because it's virtual, you don't have to worry about expensive lab equipment or safety concerns. Explore with freedom - Pick from 100+ circuit components (more coming!) - Drag them from the toolbox to the virtual desk and connect them the way you like - All experiment results are backed by science and calculated in precise numbers - Design your own galaxy or load from our solar system - Electromagnetic experiments with field line visualization Better than real life - Set properties of circuit components to different figures and observe changes of behavior and stats in real time - One-click to turn what you have built into an editable circuit diagram and vice versa - No expenses on lab equipments, no worry about safety issues A lab for everyone - Teachers have been using Physics Lab to demonstrate experiments and assist teaching in class - Students, in primary or high schools, can learn science and explore freely anywhere, anytime - Kids or not, curious minds now have their own virtual lab to learn knowledge by doing experiments Whether you're a teacher, student, or just someone who loves learning about physics, Physics Lab has something for everyone. Connect with us and let us know what you think, and check out our subscription options to access even more experiments and components. We can't wait to see what you create! Email: turtlesim@u.northwestern.edu =========================== Concerning Component Subscription During your subscription period, you will have access to all paid components for free, including future ones. 1) Subscription periods are one month long and will be charged to your iTunes Account at the time of purchase. 2) Your subscription is linked to your Physics Lab account. 3) You will be charged for renewals 24 hours before the end of the current period, and will be notified of the cost. 4) You can manage your subscriptions at any time in your Account Settings. 5) By purchasing a subscription, you are agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Terms of Use: https://static.turtlesim.com/products/Term-Of-Use.txt Privacy Policy: https://static.turtlesim.com/products/Privacy-Policy.txt

Screenshots

Sketchalyze4 screens
Physics Lab AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sketchalyze at none against Physics Lab AR's 7. Sketchalyze also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.7) and review sentiment (60% vs 48%). Physics Lab AR's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (1.8K vs 7). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Physics Lab AR sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Sketchalyze asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sketchalyze holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.8K ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Sketchalyze's written reviews are positive against 48% of Physics Lab AR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sketchalyze ships an update every 13 months, Physics Lab AR every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Sketchalyze versus Physics Lab AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSketchalyzePhysics Lab AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (7 ratings) — better4.7 (1.8K ratings)
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews — better47.5% of reviews
Number of ratings71.8K — better
Update frequencyEvery 13 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size15 MB177 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDuy TruongTurtle Sim LLC

Customer experience

Sketchalyze

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

Physics Lab AR

All ratings1,811 ratings
Positive91.4%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.7%
Written reviews122 reviews
Positive47.5%
Neutral7.4%
Negative45.1%

Bugs and requests

Sketchalyze

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Physics Lab AR

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes when opening experiments or circuits
  • Wires don't attach properly
  • Objects fall through the table
  • Camera position issues
  • App freezes or becomes unresponsive

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add more components like transistors and potentiometers
  • Improve camera controls and view options
  • Implement saving and loading of circuits
  • Add more tutorials and explanations
  • Support for Vietnamese and other languages
Show 1 more
  • Improve stability and reduce crashes

In-app purchases

None

Sketchalyze

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

Physics Lab AR

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Component Subscription$1.491 Month
One-time6
  • 60 Diamonds$0.99
  • 10 Diamonds$0.99
  • 120 Diamonds$1.99
Show 3 more
  • 300 Diamonds$4.99
  • 680 Diamonds$9.99
  • 1280 Diamonds$19.99

Questions

Is Sketchalyze free?
Sketchalyze is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Physics Lab AR free?
Physics Lab AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Sketchalyze or Physics Lab AR?
Sketchalyze is rated higher. Sketchalyze averages 5.0 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 from 1.8K ratings.
Do Sketchalyze or Physics Lab AR have ads?
Neither Sketchalyze nor Physics Lab AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sketchalyze or Physics Lab AR?
Sketchalyze ships an update every 13 months, and Physics Lab AR every 2 months. Most recently, Sketchalyze was updated on October 17, 2026 and Physics Lab AR on October 17, 2026.

Other comparisons