Comparison

Physics Formulas Lite vs PhET Simulations

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

Head to head
About

Physics Formulas Lite

Quickly access and reference physics formulas for study and work. Features include calculation tools, multi-language support, a favorites folder, and formula sharing. Search and add custom formulas and tools.

Highlights
  • Formula reference by category
  • In-app calculation tools
  • Multi-language support
  • Favorites folder for quick access
  • Formula sharing functionality
  • Searchable formula database
  • Add custom formulas and tools
Features
Read full description

From the success of Maths Formulas app, Physics Formulas has been developed and released to help users quickly refer to any Physics formulas for their study and work. This app displays most popular formulas in seven categories: - Mechanics - Electricity - Thermal physics - Periodic motion - Optics - Atomic physics - Constants This app has all functions to help users use the app conveniently - Tools: users can input data and the app will calculate some popular physics problems. - Supporting multiple languages: it's the best to read in your mother language as well as in English to expand your language skills. This app supports English, Vietnamese, Chinese (Trad/Simp), Turkish, Spanish, German, French, Portuguese, Russian, Indonesian, Persian, Italian, Hindi and Arabic. More languages to come soon. - Favorite folder: save frequently used formulas in a favorite folder to quickly access to them. - Sharing: touch and share a formula to friends via message, email or Facebook. - Searching: users can type key words in top of the screen to quickly find a formula. - Add your own formulas or notes in "Favorite" section. - Add your own customized tools in "Tools" section (unlimited number of formulas and variables for Full version). This is the essential app for everybody especially students, engineers and scientists.

About

PhET Simulations

Explore science and math concepts through interactive simulations. This app provides over 75 HTML5 simulations for learning about atoms, energy, multiplication, and more. It's ideal for students, parents, and educators, offering offline access and multiple language support.

Highlights
  • Interactive science and math simulations
  • Offline play capability
  • Multiple language support
  • Customizable favorites collection
  • Automatic simulation updates
  • Easy simulation sorting
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Engage in learning science and math with the award-winning PhET simulations! Whether understanding atoms, exploring energy, or mastering multiplication, there is a sim for every learner. Perfect for at home, in class, or on the road, this app delivers all PhET HTML5 sims (over 75 sims) in one easy-to-use package. Developed by experts at the University of Colorado Boulder, PhET sims are used by millions of students every year. The PhET iPad app delivers these exclusive features: • Offline play: learn on the bus or at the park without a WiFi connection. • Multiple languages: app translate in many languages (great for bilingual learners). • Favorites: pick your favorite sims and create your own custom collection. • Automatic updates: get the latest HTML5 sims as soon as they are released. • Easy sorting: find the right sims for you. • Fullscreen: maximize your screen real estate for optimal sim exploration. PARENTS: Engage your child in science and math discovery. TEACHERS: Your favorite HTML5 sims at your fingertips, even without internet access. ADMINISTRATORS: Optimized for school use, so your teachers will be seamlessly up to date. STUDENTS: Tell your parents there’s an exciting app for learning science and math. Note: The app does not include PhET’s Java or Flash sims. In addition, although we are currently working on improving the accessibility of our sims, most of the sims included in this app do not include keyboard navigation or screen reader access. As accessible sims become available, they will be updated within the app. Proceeds from the app support the development of more HTML5 sims. On behalf of the PhET team and the students whose lives you have helped improve — Thank you!

Screenshots

Physics Formulas Lite4 screens
PhET Simulations3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Physics Formulas Lite at Free against PhET Simulations's $0.99. Physics Formulas Lite also leads on review sentiment (86% vs 66%) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 14 months). PhET Simulations's advantage is chart position (#38 vs unranked). On rating, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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

Physics Formulas Lite is free to download; PhET Simulations costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Physics Formulas Lite against 4.5 for PhET Simulations. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 60 and 49 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of Physics Formulas Lite's written reviews are positive against 66% of PhET Simulations's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Physics Formulas Lite ships an update every 4 months, PhET Simulations every 14 months. Both last shipped on September 23, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Physics Formulas Lite versus PhET Simulations: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPhysics Formulas LitePhET Simulations
PriceFree — better$0.99
Rating4.6 (60 ratings) — better4.5 (49 ratings)
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews — better65.5% of reviews
Number of ratings60 — better49
Update frequencyEvery 4 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#38 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.115.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNSC CO. PTY LTDUniversity of Colorado Boulder

Customer experience

Physics Formulas Lite

All ratings60 ratings
Positive91.7%
Neutral1.7%
Negative6.7%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

PhET Simulations

All ratings49 ratings
Positive87.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.2%
Written reviews145 reviews
Positive65.5%
Neutral4.1%
Negative30.3%

In-app purchases

None

Physics Formulas Lite

No in-app purchases

None

PhET Simulations

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Physics Formulas Lite free?
Physics Formulas Lite is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is PhET Simulations free?
PhET Simulations costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Physics Formulas Lite or PhET Simulations?
Physics Formulas Lite is rated higher. Physics Formulas Lite averages 4.6 out of 5 from 60 ratings, while PhET Simulations averages 4.5 from 49 ratings.
Do Physics Formulas Lite or PhET Simulations have ads?
Neither Physics Formulas Lite nor PhET Simulations shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Physics Formulas Lite or PhET Simulations?
Physics Formulas Lite ships an update every 4 months, and PhET Simulations every 14 months. Most recently, Physics Formulas Lite was updated on September 23, 2026 and PhET Simulations on September 23, 2026.

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