Generation Genius vs PhET Interactive Simulations
Generation Genius
generationgenius.comPhET Interactive Simulations
phet.colorado.eduSide by side
| Figure | Generation Genius | PhET Interactive Simulations |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $20.83/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 1 |
| Spec score · Science Learning Software | 8.1 (#8) | 7.9 (#12) |
| Founded | 2018 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Hollywood, California | Boulder, Colorado, United States |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says subscription students do not need to provide personally identifiable information and that discovered student PII is deleted within 24 hours. | PhET states that no personally identifiable information is collected when users run simulations on the website, in the apps, embedded elsewhere, or from downloads. |
| Security | The privacy policy describes industry-standard encryption and other technical security measures, while stating that internet transmissions cannot be guaranteed 100% secure. | By default, user communications are served over HTTPS and PhET restricts access to personal information to essential personnel under confidentiality obligations. |
Plans
Generation Genius
- Classroom — Math Only$250 a year
- Classroom — Science Only$250 a year
- Homeschool — Math Only$250 a year
- Homeschool — Science Only$250 a year
- Classroom — Science + Math + ELA$325 a year
- Homeschool — Science + Math + ELA$325 a year
- School & District — Science + Math + ELA$2,395 a year
In their own words
Generation Genius
Generation Genius provides science, math, and ELA lessons for K–8 learners through a website that streams in modern browsers on desktop computers, tablets, and phones. Lessons combine videos with printable worksheets, DIY activities, lesson plans, teacher guides, vocabulary, and quiz games or assessments. Teachers can use Kahoot! or Quizizz for live classroom quizzes or self-paced work at home. The maker says its science videos are produced with the National Science Teaching Association and that its science and math content aligns with standards in all 50 states. Plans are offered for homeschool, classroom, and school or district use, with options for one subject or science, math, and ELA. School plans include student links that open lessons without students signing up or creating accounts; the listed homeschool and classroom plans do not include student links. No installation is needed. The service offers a free plan and free trial, and paid plans start at $21/mo (annual). Listed annual prices include $250 a year for one-subject homeschool or classroom plans, $325 a year for three-subject homeschool or classroom plans, and $2,395 a year for the school and district plan.
PhET Interactive Simulations
PhET Interactive Simulations provides interactive science and mathematics simulations for students from preschool through university. Its design emphasizes scientific inquiry, visual mental models, multiple representations, real-world connections, and flexible classroom use; the simulations include virtual experiments and guided lessons. PhET says simulations are evaluated for educational effectiveness through student interviews and classroom observation. All are open source, and they are written in HTML5, with some legacy simulations in Java or Flash. They can run online or be downloaded. Android and iOS apps include HTML5 simulations and translations for offline use and automatically download new HTML5 simulations. A desktop app provides HTML5 and Java simulations and translations for offline use on Windows and macOS. The service is available on the web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and select Chromebooks. Android browser-based HTML5 simulations and Linux are not officially supported. The free simulations plan is available to students and teachers. Commercial use requires a license from the University of Colorado Boulder.