Comparison

BEAKER by THIX 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

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.

Highlights
  • Virtual lab with 150 chemicals
  • Interactive mixing, heating, and shaking
  • Real-time chemical reactions
  • Multiplayer via AirMix™
  • Additional experimental tools
  • Simulated ignition and boiling
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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

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
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

BEAKER by THIX4 screens
PhET Simulations3 screens

Verdict

The call

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 review sentiment (66% vs 51%). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

BEAKER by THIX ships an update every 2 months, PhET Simulations every 14 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
BEAKER by THIX versus PhET Simulations: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBEAKER by THIXPhET Simulations
Price$0.99$0.99
Rating3.9 (284 ratings)4.5 (48 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.8% of reviews65.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings284 — better48
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 14 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#129#8 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB125 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHIX LLCUniversity of Colorado Boulder

Customer experience

BEAKER by THIX

All ratings283 ratings
Positive68.9%
Neutral13.8%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews295 reviews
Positive50.8%
Neutral17.6%
Negative31.5%

PhET Simulations

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

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

1 purchases

BEAKER by THIX

One-time1
  • All ToolsFree
None

PhET Simulations

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is BEAKER by THIX free?
BEAKER by THIX costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PhET Simulations free?
PhET Simulations costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations?
PhET Simulations is rated higher. BEAKER by THIX averages 3.9 out of 5 from 284 ratings, while PhET Simulations averages 4.5 from 48 ratings.
Do BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations have ads?
Neither BEAKER by THIX nor PhET Simulations shows ads.
Which is updated more often, BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations?
BEAKER by THIX ships an update every 2 months, and PhET Simulations every 14 months. Most recently, BEAKER by THIX was updated on October 24, 2026 and PhET Simulations on October 24, 2026.
Which is more popular, BEAKER by THIX or PhET Simulations?
BEAKER by THIX currently peaks at #129 in the App Store charts, and PhET Simulations at #8. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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