Head-to-head · Chemistry Simulation Software
McGraw Hill Virtual Labs vs Molecular Workbench
McGraw Hill Virtual Labs leads on 0 checks, Molecular Workbench on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreMcGraw Hill Virtual Labs · 9.2/10
- Free planonly Molecular Workbench
McGraw Hill Virtual Labs scores higher on our rubric for chemistry simulation software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #5.
McGraw Hill Virtual Labs is the better fit for institutional labs with McGraw Hill workflows. Molecular Workbench is the better fit for open-source simulation authoring and assessment.
- McGraw Hill Virtual Labs fits best
Institutional labs with McGraw Hill workflows
- Molecular Workbench fits best
Open-source simulation authoring and assessment
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Side by side
| Feature | McGraw Hill Virtual Labs 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | Molecular Workbench 8.5/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.5 |
| Ranking | #1 in Chemistry Simulation Software | #5 in Chemistry Simulation Software |
| Best for | Institutional labs with McGraw Hill workflows | Open-source simulation authoring and assessment |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free |
| Starting price | — | Free plan |
| Free plan | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Desktop, Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets | Email, Docs |
| Integrations | 6 integrations | 1 integrations |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business, Mid-market |
| Features McGraw Hill Virtual Labs 0/4 · Molecular Workbench 0/4 | ||
| Virtual labs | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Molecular modeling | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Reaction simulation | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Equation tools | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| Delivery | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Student account limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Content languages | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | McGraw Hill Virtual Labs provides interactive online laboratory simulations for higher-education science courses. It supports preparation, replacement, supplementation, review, and make-up labs across subjects including anatomy and… Read the review → |
Molecular Workbench is a free, open-source platform for teaching and learning science through interactive visual simulations and computational experiments. It is suited to educators who want to model molecular behavior, classical… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
McGraw Hill Virtual Labs — where it wins
- Over 135 interactive lab simulations
- Customizable pre- and post-lab assessments
- Delivery through Connect, ALEKS, and major LMS platforms
Where it doesn't
- The listed access plan is specific to microbiology labs
- Requires the McGraw Hill Connect or LMS ecosystem
- Web access only; it is not open source
Molecular Workbench — where it wins
- Creates interactive visual simulations and computational experiments
- Combines guided activities, assessments, reporting, and teacher monitoring
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, browser activities, and LMS embedding
Where it doesn't
- Chemistry-specific coverage is less explicit than its broader science scope
- Legacy desktop downloads require Java
- Its feature set may exceed the needs of simple simulation viewing
- McGraw Hill Virtual Labs9.2/10 · Paid
A web-based virtual lab suite with strong McGraw Hill and LMS delivery.
Visit McGraw HillFull verdict → - Molecular Workbench8.5/10 · Free plan
A free, open-source platform for building, assigning, and assessing interactive science activities.
Visit siteFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update