ChemLab vs Interactive Chemistry

ChemLab is an interactive chemistry lab simulation for high-school and college general chemistry. It pairs simulated experiments with a lab notebook for theory, procedures, and student observations. Pre-designed labs cover subjects including acid-base reactions, electrochemistry, equilibrium, gas laws, kinetics, redox, and stoichiometry, with additional simulations available from third parties. Animated experiments, plug-in lab extensions, and tools to record and replay demonstrations support instruction. Standard lets students run simulations; Professional adds Lab Wizard tools for instructors to run, edit, and create labs, plus an expandable chemical database. Professional users can capture a simulation, add comments, and save a distributable demonstration for Standard users to play back. The product lists RasMol integration and an integrated periodic table application with a quiz. It is described for distance learning, pre-lab work, demonstrations, and lab run-throughs, including experiments that are dangerous, environmentally hazardous, expensive, or lengthy. It is available in English, Spanish, French, and Italian. Single-user Standard licenses start at $33.99, paid once.

Interactive Chemistry provides free science games and simulations for teaching topics from middle school through university level. Its activities cover ionic and covalent bonding, cellular respiration, reactions, and molecular interactions. Chemistry teacher Steven Sogo created the games with support from high school students at Laguna Beach High School. The Cell Model 2025 game is playable on iPads, Android tablets, and most phones. The Double Replacement Reaction Simulator works on laptops, Chromebooks, and mobile devices. In the Matchmaker double replacement game, students get immediate feedback when they form correct products and can practice balancing equations; its page also links to suggested lessons and an instructional video. The site lists Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. Users can report bugs or suggest features through linked forms, and an email contact is provided. The maker describes its experiments and prototypes as unfinished and potentially buggy. Prototype code is available on GitHub for users to finish themselves. The listed plan is Free at free.