BEAKER by THIX vs PhET Simulations
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BEAKER by THIX
Explore a virtual laboratory with 150 chemicals. Mix, heat, and shake substances to observe reactions. Collaborate with friends using AirMix™ for shared experiments. Additional tools enhance complex operations.
- Virtual lab with 150 chemicals
- Interactive mixing, heating, and shaking
- Real-time chemical reactions
- Multiplayer via AirMix™
- Additional experimental tools
- Simulated ignition and boiling
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Explore 150 chemicals in a virtual lab in the BEAKER app. Add in chemicals, heat it up, and shake your device to start reactions. Pour them out to clean it up. Or team up with your friends to pour chemicals between each other via AirMix™. Use virtual Match, Lid and Burner to assist your experiment. Or get the extra five tools - Blender, Cooler, Separator, Filter and Meter to do even more complex operations. Start (tap or hold on chemicals to add) - CaO + H2O - K + H2O (fire) - Na + H2O (fire) - Al + Br2 (fire) Ignite (swipe your finger and hold, like striking a match) - Ignite Mg, C, Al - Ignite H2 + O2 (explosion) Heat Up (swipe in from the lower right corner to turn on Burner) - Boil Water (H2O) - Heat Fe + HNO3 (color transformation) Shake (shake to accelerate reactions) - CuSO4 + H2O + Mg (color transformation) - AgNO3 + H2O + Cu (precipitation) - AgNO3 + H2O + NaCl (precipitation) AirMix* (nearby BEAKERs will pair automatically) - Pour Na into Cl2 (fire) - Pour CH3COOH into NaHCO3 + Blue (bubbles) - Pour NaCl + H2O into AgNO3 + H2O (precipitation) * AirMix requires an Internet connection and geolocation services. If any chemicals or reactions are missing, please contact us at support@thixlab.com. Your suggestions are greatly valuable to us. Learn More http://thixlab.com/beaker.html Follow Us Facebook: http://facebook.com/thixlab Twitter: @thixlab
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.
- Interactive science and math simulations
- Offline play capability
- Multiple language support
- Customizable favorites collection
- Automatic simulation updates
- Easy simulation sorting
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: PhET Simulations at 4.5 against BEAKER by THIX's 3.9. PhET Simulations also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#6 vs #200). BEAKER by THIX's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 14 months) and ratings volume (284 vs 48). 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
BEAKER by THIX costs $0.99 and PhET Simulations $0.99 up front. BEAKER by THIX sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. PhET Simulations asks for nothing beyond the download.
PhET Simulations holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BEAKER by THIX has 284 ratings behind it against 48, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of BEAKER by THIX's written reviews are positive against 66% of PhET Simulations's.
BEAKER by THIX ships an update every 2 months, PhET Simulations every 14 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | BEAKER by THIX | PhET Simulations |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 3.9 (284 ratings) | 4.5 (48 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.8% of reviews | 65.5% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 284 — better | 48 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 14 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #200 | #6 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 56 MB | 125 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | THIX LLC | University of Colorado Boulder |
Customer experience
BEAKER by THIX
PhET Simulations
Bugs and requests
BEAKER by THIX
Reported bugs
4 issues- Liquids and solids behaving unrealistically
- Crashes when mixing certain chemicals
- AirMix not working as advertised
- UI elements disappearing or malfunctioning
Requested features
5 requests- Add more elements and compounds
- Improve accuracy of chemical reactions
- Implement a periodic table view
- Add support for exothermic/endothermic reactions
- Improve AirMix functionality
PhET Simulations
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BEAKER by THIX
- All ToolsFree
PhET Simulations
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is BEAKER by THIX free?
Is PhET Simulations free?
Which has better reviews, BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations?
Do BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations have ads?
Which is updated more often, BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations?
Which is more popular, BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations?
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