The Best Science Learning Software in 2026
We researched science learning software through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Products were ranked on their core teaching job, value for money, and verified features for lessons, experiments, simulations, visualizations, and guided exploration.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
ExploreLearning Gizmos#1 of 259.4/10A broad virtual lab platform for schools that need simulations, lessons, assessment, and reporting.
Free plan · 30-day trial
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Runner-up
CK-12 FlexBook 2.0#2 of 259.3/10A broad, free science platform for schools that want customizable content and classroom tools.
Free plan
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Top-ranked free plan
Inq-ITS#3 of 259.2/10A structured virtual lab platform for assessed, NGSS-aligned science investigations.
Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 25 tools, best first
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Best forK–12 schools needing complete virtual labs
A broad virtual lab platform for schools that need simulations, lessons, assessment, and reporting.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
Free plan · 30-day trial Our ExploreLearning Gizmos verdict → Visit siteFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #1 · $149/mo →9.4/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forSchools wanting a fully free science platform
A broad, free science platform for schools that want customizable content and classroom tools.
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
9.3/10★★★★★Visit CK-12 -
Best forTeachers needing assessed virtual investigations
A structured virtual lab platform for assessed, NGSS-aligned science investigations.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial Our Inq-ITS verdict → Visit Inq-ITSFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #3 · $79/mo →9.2/10★★★★★Visit Inq-ITS -
Best forFree modeling and simulation-based science learning
A free web collection for simulations, modeling, data analysis, and classroom assessment.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Concord STEM -
Best forDistricts wanting a complete science curriculum
A broad, standards-aligned science curriculum built for district-wide delivery.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree educators building custom science pathways
A broad, free science platform for educators who want customizable learning pathways.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit LabXchange -
Best forLearners needing broad, low-cost simulations
A broad simulation library with offline apps and classroom resources at low cost.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit PhET -
Best forStudents needing focused virtual lab practice
Focused browser-based lab practice with guided work, assessment, and LMS integration.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Beyond Labz -
Best forHigher-education users wanting many 3D labs
A broad 3D science lab platform with strong assessment tools and contact-sales pricing.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Labster -
Best forPhysics teachers analyzing real-world video data
A focused platform for measuring, graphing, and grading science from interactive video.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit Pivot -
Best forIndividuals seeking affordable 3D virtual labs
Affordable 3D biology, chemistry, and physics labs with guidance and reporting.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit PraxiLabs -
Best forElementary teachers using game-based practice
A strong fit for elementary teachers seeking game-based science and math practice.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forSchools wanting structured phenomena-based lessons
A structured K–8 science curriculum combining investigations, simulations, assessments, and teacher guidance.
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.0/10★★★★☆Try Amplify Science -
Best forK–12 programs wanting curriculum plus STEM events
A broad K–12 STEM curriculum library with classroom, homeschool, and educator tools.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit JASON Learning -
Best forCollege courses needing assessed virtual labs
A broad virtual lab library with assessments, reporting, and LMS delivery.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit McGraw Hill -
Best forK–8 learners wanting video-led science lessons
A structured, video-led science resource with strong classroom materials for K–8 learners.
- Virtual experiments
- Guided lessons
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forElementary schools seeking a full science curriculum
A broad K–2 science curriculum with strong classroom tools and contact-sales pricing.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Science4Us -
Best forK–5 teachers leading science units
A focused K–5 curriculum for teacher-led science instruction and homeschool learning.
- Guided lessons
7.5/10★★★★☆Try Mystery Science -
Best forTeachers assigning data-rich virtual laboratory work
A browser-based lab platform with repeatable experiments and data-rich student work.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
7.3/10★★★★☆Try TableTop Science -
Best forClassrooms combining AR with engineering projects
A versatile science platform for classrooms blending AR, guided lessons, and design challenges.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit MindLabs -
Best forVisual 3D learning across many devices
A broad, device-flexible 3D learning library with free access and annual student plans.
- Interactive simulations
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit mozaik3D -
Best forFamilies wanting mailed experiments and VR lessons
A broad science-learning subscription for families, homeschoolers, and schools.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
6.9/10★★★☆☆Visit MEL Science -
Best forYoung learners wanting guided science courses
Guided K–5 science learning with activities, workbooks, and parent tracking.
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
6.8/10★★★☆☆Try Tappity Science -
Best forHomeschool families seeking self-paced science courses
A flexible web-based science curriculum with household access and a free Earth Science course.
- Guided lessons
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit Science Mom -
Best forK–12 classrooms centered on educational videos
A video-led learning platform with strong classroom tools and broad LMS support.
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit BrainPOP
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Science scope | Interactive simulations | Virtual experiments | Guided lessons | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ExploreLearning Gizmos | Yes | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 | Yes | Free | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | 9.3 | |
| 3 | Inq-ITS | Yes | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 4 | Concord Consortium STEM Learning Tools | Yes | Free | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.1 |
| 5 | Discovery Education Science Techbook | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | Yes | 9.0 | ||
| 6 | LabXchange | Yes | Free | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.8 |
| 7 | PhET Interactive Simulations | Yes | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 8 | Beyond Labz | Yes | $31.95/seat one-time | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 9 | Labster | No | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 10 | Pivot Interactives | No | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 11 | PraxiLabs | No | $44.99/user/yr | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 12 | Legends of Learning | Yes | 8.1 | |||||
| 13 | Amplify Science | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |||
| 14 | JASON Learning | No | $250/yr | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 15 | McGraw Hill Virtual Labs | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |||
| 16 | Generation Genius | $250/yr | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | 7.7 | ||
| 17 | Science4Us | No | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.6 | |
| 18 | Mystery Science | No | $199 one-time | Multi-subject | Yes | 7.5 | ||
| 19 | TableTop Science | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 20 | MindLabs | Yes | $39 one-time | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.2 |
| 21 | mozaik3D | Yes | €24/user/yr | Multi-subject | Yes | 7.0 | ||
| 22 | MEL Science | Yes | $29.90/mo | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 6.9 |
| 23 | Tappity Science | $99.99 one-time | Single subject | Yes | Yes | 6.8 | ||
| 24 | Science Mom | Yes | K-12 science | Yes | 6.7 | |||
| 25 | BrainPOP | No | $119/yr | 6.6 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs CK-12 FlexBook 2.0
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs Inq-ITS
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs Concord Consortium STEM Learning Tools
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs Discovery Education Science Techbook
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs LabXchange
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs PhET Interactive Simulations
- ExploreLearning Gizmos vs Beyond Labz
- CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 vs Inq-ITS
- CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 vs Concord Consortium STEM Learning Tools
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How we rank science learning software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update