# Sketchalyze vs Physics Lab AR

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.

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.

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.

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

## The numbers

| Metric | Sketchalyze | Physics Lab AR |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchalyze/id704472004/reviews)** | [4.7 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-lab-ar/id1298984261/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 7 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | **60.0% of reviews** | 47.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 13 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 15 MB | 177 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Duy Truong](https://appshunter.io/developer/1257007296) | [Turtle Sim LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1568741108) |

## What reviewers say

### Sketchalyze

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sketchalyze/id704472004)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Physics Lab AR

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-lab-ar/id1298984261)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Component Subscription | $1.49 | per month |
| 60 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10 Diamonds | $0.99 | one-time |
| 120 Diamonds | $1.99 | one-time |
| 300 Diamonds | $4.99 | one-time |
| 680 Diamonds | $9.99 | one-time |
| 1280  Diamonds | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Nice app
- 🚀 Awesome app
- 💡 Good app idea
- 👍 Helpful for learning
- 👍 Useful for teachers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes frequently
- 🐛 Unstable app
- 🐛 Buggy app
- 🐛 App doesn't work
- 🔧 Needs improvements

**Reported bugs**

- 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**

- 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


## Frequently asked 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.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*