Comparison

Radioactive Decay Simulator 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

Radioactive Decay Simulator

This educational tool simulates radioactive decay for a group of atoms. Users can choose preset atoms or input custom half-lives to observe decay in real-time graphs. The simulator allows for adjustments in atom count and speed for efficient analysis.

Highlights
  • Emulates radioactive decay
  • Select preset or custom atoms
  • Adjust atom count
  • Real-time decay graphs
  • Adjustable simulation speed
Features
Read full description

The Radioactive Decay Simulator emulates the radioactive decay of a group of like atoms. Users are able to select from a range of preset atoms, or enter the half-life of a specific atom that they wish to simulate. By adjusting the number of atoms, users are able to determine how even with a large number of atoms, the randomness of radioactive decay can be modeled. Users are able to observe the both number of decayed atoms as well as the number of non-decayed atoms remaining in a real time graph. The simulator can be sped up to allow atoms with a longer half-life to be analyzed quickly.

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

Radioactive Decay Simulator1 screens
Physics Lab AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Radioactive Decay Simulator at 100% against Physics Lab AR's 48%. Radioactive Decay Simulator also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (9.3 vs 15.0). Physics Lab AR's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 4.0) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 17 months). 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. Physics Lab AR sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. Radioactive Decay Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Physics Lab AR holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Lab AR has 1.9K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Radioactive Decay Simulator's written reviews are positive against 48% of Physics Lab AR's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Radioactive Decay Simulator ships an update every 17 months, Physics Lab AR every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Radioactive Decay Simulator versus Physics Lab AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadioactive Decay SimulatorPhysics Lab AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings)4.7 (1.9K ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better47.5% of reviews
Number of ratings11.9K — better
Update frequencyEvery 17 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB177 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAlistair ShawTurtle Sim LLC

Customer experience

Radioactive Decay Simulator

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

Radioactive Decay Simulator

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

Radioactive Decay Simulator

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 Radioactive Decay Simulator free?
Radioactive Decay Simulator 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, Radioactive Decay Simulator or Physics Lab AR?
Physics Lab AR is rated higher. Radioactive Decay Simulator averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while Physics Lab AR averages 4.7 from 1.9K ratings.
Do Radioactive Decay Simulator or Physics Lab AR have ads?
Neither Radioactive Decay Simulator nor Physics Lab AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Radioactive Decay Simulator or Physics Lab AR?
Radioactive Decay Simulator ships an update every 17 months, and Physics Lab AR every 2 months. Most recently, Radioactive Decay Simulator was updated on November 1, 2026 and Physics Lab AR on November 6, 2026.

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