Best PhET Interactive Simulations Alternatives in 2026
The top PhET Interactive Simulations alternatives are ExploreLearning Gizmos, CK-12 FlexBook 2.0 and Inq-ITS: 15 science learning software our editors would look at instead of PhET Interactive Simulations, in our ranking order.
PhET Interactive Simulations: A broad simulation library with offline apps and classroom resources at low cost. Where it falls short: core simulations are free only for non-commercial educational use.
Switching from PhET Interactive Simulations? For most science learning software buyers the best PhET Interactive Simulations alternative is ExploreLearning Gizmos, built for k–12 schools needing complete virtual labs. Pivot Interactives offers the most included learners (10 learners).
Why People Look for a PhET Interactive Simulations Alternative
- Core simulations are free only for non-commercial educational use
- Official iOS and Android apps cost $0.99 one time
- Assessment tools are not a stated core capability
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallExploreLearning Gizmos9.4
K–12 schools needing complete virtual labs
Visit ExploreLearning Gizmos - Best free optionExploreLearning Gizmos9.4
Has a free plan
Visit ExploreLearning Gizmos - Most included learnersPivot Interactives8.3
10 learners
Visit Pivot Interactives
All 15 PhET Interactive Simulations Alternatives, Ranked
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.
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Best forK–12 schools needing complete virtual labs
- Better than PhET Interactive Simulations:
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.7
A broad virtual lab platform for schools that need simulations, lessons, assessment, and reporting.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
9.4/10★★★★★Visit site -
Best forSchools wanting a fully free science platform
- Better than PhET Interactive Simulations:
- Editor score 9.3 vs 8.7
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
- Better than PhET Interactive Simulations:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.7
A structured virtual lab platform for assessed, NGSS-aligned science investigations.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
9.2/10★★★★★Visit Inq-ITS -
Best forFree modeling and simulation-based science learning
- Better than PhET Interactive Simulations:
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.7
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
- Better than PhET Interactive Simulations:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 8.7
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
- Better than PhET Interactive Simulations:
- Editor score 8.8 vs 8.7
A broad, free science platform for educators who want customizable learning pathways.
- Virtual experiments
- Interactive simulations
- Guided lessons
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit LabXchange -
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
PhET Interactive Simulations Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to PhET Interactive Simulations?
ExploreLearning Gizmos: #1 in our Science Learning Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad virtual lab platform for schools that need simulations, lessons, assessment, and reporting.
Is there a free alternative to PhET Interactive Simulations?
Yes. ExploreLearning Gizmos, CK-12 FlexBook 2.0, Inq-ITS, Concord Consortium STEM Learning Tools and LabXchange have a free plan or a free tier (7 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for PhET Interactive Simulations alternatives?
Core simulations are free only for non-commercial educational use; Official iOS and Android apps cost $0.99 one time; Assessment tools are not a stated core capability.
Which PhET Interactive Simulations alternative has the most included learners?
Pivot Interactives, with 10 learners.
How do I switch from PhET Interactive Simulations?
Export your data from PhET Interactive Simulations (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel PhET Interactive Simulations.
How to Switch from PhET Interactive Simulations
- Export your data from PhET Interactive Simulations (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel PhET Interactive Simulations.
PhET Interactive Simulations vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Science scope | Interactive simulations | Virtual experiments | Guided lessons | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | PhET Interactive Simulations | Yes | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.7 | |
| 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 | Beyond Labz | Yes | $31.95/seat one-time | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.5 |
| 8 | Labster | No | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.4 | |
| 9 | Pivot Interactives | No | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.3 | |
| 10 | PraxiLabs | No | $44.99/user/yr | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | Legends of Learning | Yes | 8.1 | |||||
| 12 | Amplify Science | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | 8.0 | |||
| 13 | JASON Learning | No | $250/yr | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 14 | McGraw Hill Virtual Labs | Multi-subject | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |||
| 15 | Generation Genius | $250/yr | K-12 science | Yes | Yes | 7.7 |
Head-to-Head
- PhET Interactive Simulations vs ExploreLearning Gizmos
- PhET Interactive Simulations vs CK-12 FlexBook 2.0
- PhET Interactive Simulations vs Inq-ITS
- PhET Interactive Simulations vs Concord Consortium STEM Learning Tools
- PhET Interactive Simulations vs Discovery Education Science Techbook
- PhET Interactive Simulations vs LabXchange
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update