GeoGebra vs PhET Interactive Simulations
GeoGebra
geogebra.orgPhET Interactive Simulations
phet.colorado.eduSide by side
| Figure | GeoGebra | PhET Interactive Simulations |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Statistics Learning Software | 8.8 (#2) | 8.2 (#5) |
| Audience | GeoGebra is primarily designed for mathematics teachers and students from school through university. | PhET simulations are designed primarily for K-12 and university students and are intended for students in preschool, K-12, or college. |
| Commercial licensing | Commercial use requires a separate license, with publishers and online schools among the examples GeoGebra gives of potentially commercial use. | Commercial use of PhET simulations requires a commercial license from the University of Colorado Boulder. |
| Founded | 2002 | 2002 |
| Headquarters | Linz, Austria | Boulder, Colorado, United States |
| Integrations | GeoGebra states that Classroom supports integration with various learning management systems. | Educators can create PhET accounts using Clever, which is a supported federated login provider. |
| Offline access | Yes | The PhET Desktop App contains all HTML5 and Java simulations and translations for offline use on Windows and macOS. |
| Open source | GeoGebra says its source code is licensed under EUPL 1.2, while installers and web services are limited to non-commercial use absent a commercial license. | All simulations are open source. |
| Privacy | GeoGebra's privacy policy says its personal data practices comply with GDPR and that it complies with COPPA. | 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 | GeoGebra says it uses safeguards including SSL encryption, while stating it cannot guarantee the security of transmitted information. | By default, user communications are served over HTTPS and PhET restricts access to personal information to essential personnel under confidentiality obligations. |
Plans
In their own words
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.