PhET Interactive Simulations vs Labster

PhET Interactive Simulations8.9Visit Labster8.7Visit

Higher score PhET Interactive Simulations #3 in Chemistry Simulation Software 8.9/10 Free plan · paid from $0.99 Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit PhET

vs

Labster #4 in Chemistry Simulation Software 8.7/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Labster

• PhET Interactive Simulations fits best

  Free, mature general science simulations

• Labster fits best

  Institutions needing a large lab library

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Side by side

Feature	PhET Interactive Simulations 8.9/10 Visit ↗	Labster 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	8.9	8.7
Ranking	#3 in Chemistry Simulation Software	#4 in Chemistry Simulation Software
Best for	Free, mature general science simulations	Institutions needing a large lab library
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	Free plan · paid from $0.99	Pricing on request
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Desktop, Mobile	Cloud
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android	Web
Support	Email, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs
Integrations	3 integrations	5 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features PhET Interactive Simulations 0/4 · Labster 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
Pros	Free web simulations with offline desktop and mobile access Covers chemistry plus physics, biology, earth science, math, and statistics Teacher activities, facilitation guidance, translations, and LMS embedding	300+ interactive 3D simulations across science and STEM subjects Unlimited attempts, automatic grading, quizzes, and real-time feedback Integrates with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L Brightspace, and Schoology
Cons	Broader than chemistry, so it is not a chemistry-only environment Mobile apps cost $0.99 one time on iOS and Android Built-in assessment workflows are not a stated product capability	Pricing is customized and requires an institutional purchasing process Web access depends on desktop, laptop, or tablet use Its multi-subject breadth may exceed a narrowly focused chemistry program
Our verdict	PhET Interactive Simulations is a University of Colorado Boulder project for learners and educators in K–12 and higher education. Its library includes interactive simulations for chemistry, physics, biology, earth science, mathematics, and… Read the review →	Labster provides interactive virtual science labs for high schools, colleges, and universities. Its catalog includes chemistry alongside biology, physics, health sciences, and related STEM subjects, with more than 300 virtual simulations.… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• PhET Interactive Simulations — where it wins

  • Free web simulations with offline desktop and mobile access
  • Covers chemistry plus physics, biology, earth science, math, and statistics
  • Teacher activities, facilitation guidance, translations, and LMS embedding

  Where it doesn't

  • Broader than chemistry, so it is not a chemistry-only environment
  • Mobile apps cost $0.99 one time on iOS and Android
  • Built-in assessment workflows are not a stated product capability

• Labster — where it wins

  • 300+ interactive 3D simulations across science and STEM subjects
  • Unlimited attempts, automatic grading, quizzes, and real-time feedback
  • Integrates with Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle, D2L Brightspace, and Schoology

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing is customized and requires an institutional purchasing process
  • Web access depends on desktop, laptop, or tablet use
  • Its multi-subject breadth may exceed a narrowly focused chemistry program

• PhET Interactive Simulations8.9/10 · Free plan · paid from $0.99

  A free, broad simulation library for classroom science and mathematics instruction.

  Visit PhETFull verdict →
• Labster8.7/10 · Pricing on request

  A broad virtual lab library with guided learning, assessment, and LMS integrations.

  Visit LabsterFull verdict →