Best STEMLAB Alternatives in 2026
The top STEMLAB alternatives are McGraw Hill Virtual Labs, Virtual ChemLab and PhET Interactive Simulations: 15 chemistry simulation software our editors would look at instead of STEMLAB, in our ranking order.
STEMLAB: A multilingual web laboratory combining VR, guided experiments, and broad STEM coverage. Where it falls short: designed for secondary-school education rather than broader academic use.
Switching from STEMLAB? For most chemistry simulation software buyers the best STEMLAB alternative is McGraw Hill Virtual Labs, built for institutional labs with McGraw Hill workflows. PhET Interactive Simulations has a free plan. ChemLab offers the most student account limit (1 users).
Why People Look for an STEMLAB Alternative
- Designed for secondary-school education rather than broader academic use
- Chemistry is one part of a wider cross-disciplinary activity library
- Web delivery may not suit institutions seeking a non-cloud platform
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallMcGraw Hill Virtual Labs9.2
Institutional labs with McGraw Hill workflows
Visit McGraw Hill Virtual Labs - Best free optionPhET Interactive Simulations8.9
Has a free plan
Visit PhET Interactive Simulations - Most student account limitChemLab7.4
1 users
Visit ChemLab
All 15 STEMLAB 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 forInstitutional labs with McGraw Hill workflows
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 9.2 vs 6.6
A web-based virtual lab suite with strong McGraw Hill and LMS delivery.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit McGraw Hill -
Best forBroad simulated chemistry laboratory investigations
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 9.0 vs 6.6
A broad desktop virtual lab for chemistry investigations, assignments, and theory-based practice.
- Virtual labs
- Reaction simulation
9.0/10★★★★☆Visit Savvas -
Best forFree, mature general science simulations
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 6.6
A free, broad simulation library for classroom science and mathematics instruction.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit PhET -
Best forInstitutions needing a large lab library
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 6.6
A broad virtual lab library with guided learning, assessment, and LMS integrations.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Labster -
Best forOpen-source simulation authoring and assessment
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 6.6
A free, open-source platform for building, assigning, and assessing interactive science activities.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forLinux users needing periodic-table and equation tools
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A free Linux chemistry reference with equation tools, but not a virtual-lab simulator.
- Equation tools
- Molecular modeling
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kalzium -
Best forLMS-connected multi-subject virtual labs
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.9 vs 6.6
A browser-based virtual lab with guided and open-ended activities, grading, and LMS integration.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Beyond Labz -
Best forBroad browser-based chemistry simulation
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.8 vs 6.6
A broad browser toolkit for chemistry instruction, virtual labs, and assignments.
- Equation tools
- Virtual labs
- Molecular modeling
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Atomency -
Best forAffordable 3D labs with LMS and AI support
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.7 vs 6.6
PraxiLabs brings guided 3D science experiments, assessment, analytics, and LMS integration online.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit PraxiLabs -
Best forFree desktop chemistry teaching labs
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.6 vs 6.6
A free desktop chemistry lab with simulations, modeling, assessments, and teacher tools.
- Equation tools
- Virtual labs
- Molecular modeling
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Polychem -
Best forTraditional paid chemistry laboratory software
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.4 vs 6.6
A traditional paid virtual lab with broad general-chemistry tools across three platforms.
- Equation tools
- Virtual labs
- Molecular modeling
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit ChemLab -
Best forWindows chemistry experiments and electrochemistry
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.3 vs 6.6
A focused Windows chemistry lab for experiments, reaction modeling and electrochemistry.
- Virtual labs
- Reaction simulation
7.3/10★★★★☆Try Yenka Chemistry -
Best forVR chemistry lessons with teacher management
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.2 vs 6.6
A classroom-focused VR chemistry suite with teacher tools and simulated experiments.
- Equation tools
- Virtual labs
- Molecular modeling
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Futuclass -
Best forFree aqueous chemistry labs with assessment
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.1 vs 6.6
A mature, free virtual lab for guided chemistry practice and assessment.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit ChemCollective -
Best forOpen-source chemistry learning simulations
- Better than STEMLAB:
- Editor score 7.0 vs 6.6
A free, open-source collection covering chemistry concepts from bonding to virtual labs.
- Equation tools
- Virtual labs
- Molecular modeling
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit site
STEMLAB Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to STEMLAB?
McGraw Hill Virtual Labs: #1 in our Chemistry Simulation Software ranking, with an editor score of 9.2 out of 10. A web-based virtual lab suite with strong McGraw Hill and LMS delivery.
Is there a free alternative to STEMLAB?
Yes. PhET Interactive Simulations, Molecular Workbench, Kalzium, Beyond Labz and Atomency have a free plan or a free tier (8 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
Why do people look for STEMLAB alternatives?
Designed for secondary-school education rather than broader academic use; Chemistry is one part of a wider cross-disciplinary activity library; Web delivery may not suit institutions seeking a non-cloud platform.
Which STEMLAB alternative has the most student account limit?
ChemLab, with 1 users.
How do I switch from STEMLAB?
Export your data from STEMLAB (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 STEMLAB.
How to Switch from STEMLAB
- Export your data from STEMLAB (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 STEMLAB.
STEMLAB vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Virtual labs | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | STEMLAB | Yes | 6.6 | ||
| 1 | McGraw Hill Virtual Labs | 9.2 | |||
| 2 | Virtual ChemLab | Yes | 9.0 | ||
| 3 | PhET Interactive Simulations | Yes | 8.9 | ||
| 4 | Labster | No | 8.7 | ||
| 5 | Molecular Workbench | Yes | Free | 8.5 | |
| 6 | Kalzium | Yes | Free | No | 7.9 |
| 7 | Beyond Labz | Yes | $31.95/seat one-time | 7.9 | |
| 8 | Atomency | Yes | Yes | 7.8 | |
| 9 | PraxiLabs | No | $44.99/user/yr | 7.7 | |
| 10 | Polychem | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.6 |
| 11 | ChemLab | No | $33.99/user one-time | Yes | 7.4 |
| 12 | Yenka Chemistry | Yes | 7.3 | ||
| 13 | Futuclass Chemistry VR | Yes | 7.2 | ||
| 14 | ChemCollective Virtual Lab | Yes | Free | 7.1 | |
| 15 | Interactive Chemistry | Yes | Free | Yes | 7.0 |
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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