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The Best Virtual Lab Software in 2026

We researched virtual lab software from official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. Rankings reflect the category’s core job, value for money and verified features, helping educators and training teams compare simulated experiments, teaching controls and subject coverage in one place.

Our top picks

  1. Top ranked

    9.3/10

    A free, open-source virtual lab for simulations, modeling, assessment, and science instruction.

    Free plan

  2. Runner-up

    Inq-ITS#2 of 27
    9.1/10

    A multi-subject virtual lab environment for guided investigations and classroom monitoring.

    Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial

  3. Top-ranked free plan

    8.9/10

    A free, broad virtual lab platform with authoring, assessment, and institutional reporting.

    Free plan

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 27 tools, best first

27 tools
  1. Best forOpen-source, cross-platform science programs

    A free, open-source virtual lab for simulations, modeling, assessment, and science instruction.

    • LMS integration
    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    9.3/10★★★★★
    Visit site
  2. Inq-ITS

    Best forNGSS-aligned science classrooms

    A multi-subject virtual lab environment for guided investigations and classroom monitoring.

    • Assessment tools
    Free plan · pricing on request · 30-day trial Our Inq-ITS verdict → Visit Inq-ITSFor vendors Sponsor this spot · #2 · $99/mo →
    9.1/10★★★★★
    Visit Inq-ITS
  3. Best forFree institutions needing broad lab administration

    A free, broad virtual lab platform with authoring, assessment, and institutional reporting.

    • LMS integration
    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    8.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  4. Best forFree educators building science pathways

    A free, flexible science platform for educators building structured learning pathways.

    • Assessment tools
    8.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit LabXchange
  5. Labster

    Best forInstitutions needing a large 3D lab library

    A broad 3D virtual lab library with guided learning, assessment, and LMS integration.

    • Assessment tools
    8.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit Labster
  6. Best forVR-capable institutions needing LMS workflows

    A broad virtual science lab with strong assessment, dashboards, and LMS workflows.

    • LMS integration
    • Teacher dashboard
    • Assessment tools
    8.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit VRLab Academy
  7. Best forBuyers wanting transparent multi-subject pricing

    A browser-based science lab suite with clear one-time pricing and LMS support.

    • Assessment tools
    8.5/10★★★★☆
    Visit Beyond Labz
  8. PraxiLabs

    Best forBudget-conscious 3D science lab users

    A broad virtual lab platform with strong simulation depth and accessible individual pricing.

    • Assessment tools
    8.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit PraxiLabs
  9. Best forPrograms combining kits and virtual labs

    A broad lab platform for colleges combining kits, simulations, authoring, and LMS workflows.

    • LMS integration
    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    Pricing on request Our Science Interactive verdict → Visit site
    8.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  10. Best forMulti-subject labs with API access

    A broad virtual lab platform with assessments, LMS integrations, and API access.

    • LMS integration
    • Teacher dashboard
    • Assessment tools
    8.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  11. LabsLand

    Best forInstitutions needing real remote equipment access

    LabsLand brings physical lab equipment, teaching workflows, and LMS access into the browser.

    • LMS integration
    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    8.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit LabsLand
  12. Best forFree chemistry-focused lab instruction

    A free, chemistry-focused virtual lab with strong activities, grading, and authoring tools.

    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    • Assessment tools
    8.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit ChemCollective
  13. Best forOpen-source remote-lab deployments

    A flexible open-source framework for sharing real laboratory equipment remotely.

    • LMS integration
    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    7.9/10★★★★☆
    Visit WebLab-Deusto
  14. Best forPhysics learning through interactive video analysis

    A measurement-focused virtual lab for teaching science through interactive video.

    • Assessment tools
    7.8/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  15. SimBio

    Best forBiology courses needing LMS assessment

    A biology-focused virtual lab system with assessment, instructor controls, and LMS export.

    • LMS integration
    • Teacher dashboard
    • Assessment tools
    7.7/10★★★★☆
    Visit SimBio
  16. Best forCurriculum-aligned 3D labs for schools

    Curriculum-aligned 3D science labs with LMS tracking for schools.

    • LMS integration
    • Teacher dashboard
    7.6/10★★★★☆
    Visit Scholarlab
  17. Best forData-focused labs with AI assistance

    A browser-based, multi-subject virtual lab with repeatable data runs and AI assistance.

    • Assessment tools
    7.5/10★★★★☆
    Try TableTop Science
  18. Best forMicrobiology programs using McGraw Hill tools

    A broad virtual lab library with strong McGraw Hill and LMS integration.

    • Assessment tools
    7.4/10★★★★☆
    Visit McGraw Hill
  19. Best forFree users browsing broad lab collections

    A free, multi-discipline virtual lab library with guided experiments and assessments.

    • Assessment tools
    7.3/10★★★★☆
    Visit Virtual Labs
  20. Best forWindows-based K-12 virtual lab activities

    A multi-subject Windows virtual lab for structured K–12 science activities.

    • Assessment tools
    7.2/10★★★★☆
    Visit Steam to Teach
  21. Best forFree collaborative browser-based experiments

    A free collaborative virtual lab with broad science coverage and limited administrative depth.

    7.1/10★★★★☆
    Visit Science Remote
  22. Best forOpen-source multilingual lab experimentation

    A free, multilingual virtual lab for broad science practice and pre-lab preparation.

    • Experiment authoring
    7.0/10★★★★☆
    Visit site
  23. Maroon

    Best forOpen-source physics and STEM experimentation

    An open-source virtual lab for exploring physics, chemistry, and computer science.

    • Experiment authoring
    Open source Our Maroon verdict → Visit Maroon
    6.9/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Maroon
  24. Best forOpen-source authorable scientific models

    A flexible open-source framework for authoring simulations, sensor activities, and embedded labs.

    • Experiment authoring
    6.8/10★★★☆☆
    Visit site
  25. REDTAIL

    Best forSelf-hosted digital-twin lab projects

    A focused platform for engineering labs that combine digital twins with remote equipment.

    • Experiment authoring
    Open source Our REDTAIL verdict → Visit REDTAIL
    6.7/10★★★☆☆
    Visit REDTAIL
  26. Best forAI-enhanced open-ended science experimentation

    An AI-enhanced virtual lab for open-ended, multi-subject science learning.

    • LMS integration
    • Experiment authoring
    • Teacher dashboard
    Pricing on request Our WhimsyLabs verdict → Visit WhimsyLabs
    6.4/10★★★☆☆
    Visit WhimsyLabs
  27. Best forLive classroom response alongside lab tools

    A focused classroom response system for live participation, assessment, and reporting.

    6.3/10★★★☆☆
    Visit Pearson

No tools match those filters.

Compare at a glance

#ToolFree planPaid fromSubject coverageAssessment toolsScore
1Molecular WorkbenchYesFreeMulti_subjectYes9.3
2Inq-ITSYesYes9.1
3Amrita Virtual LabYesFreeMulti_subjectYes8.9
4LabXchangeYesFreeYes8.8
5LabsterNoYes8.7
6VRLab AcademyMulti_subjectYes8.6
7Beyond LabzYes$31.95/seat one-timeYes8.5
8PraxiLabsNo$44.99/user/yrYes8.4
9Science InteractiveMulti_subjectYes8.3
10Evelyn Learning Virtual Lab SimulationsMulti_subjectYes8.2
11LabsLandNoMulti_subjectYes8.1
12ChemCollective Virtual LabYesFreeChemistryYes8.0
13WebLab-DeustoYesFreeMulti_subject7.9
14Pivot InteractivesNoYes7.8
15SimBioNoBiologyYes7.7
16Scholarlab Virtual LabsMulti_subject7.6
17TableTop ScienceYes7.5
18McGraw Hill Virtual LabsYes7.4
19Virtual LabsYesFreeMulti_subjectYes7.3
20Steam to Teach Virtual LabsYesMulti_subjectYes7.2
21Science Remote LaboratoryYesFreeMulti_subject7.1
22Virtual LaboratoryYesFreeMulti_subject7.0
23MaroonFreeMulti_subject6.9
24Concord Consortium LabFreeMulti_subject6.8
25REDTAILFree6.7
26WhimsyLabsNoMulti_subjectYes6.4
27Pearson Live Response6.3

Head-to-head All 22 comparisons →

Explore other topics All topics →

How we rank virtual lab 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