Labster vs Luminous XR

Labster provides interactive virtual lab assignments for teaching science concepts and practicing laboratory techniques. Its catalog includes more than 300 simulations across STEM subjects. Learners follow guided scenarios, repeat work at their own pace, and receive immediate feedback. Instructors can use automatic grading, customizable quizzes, and a modular assignment builder. A course mapping tool helps match simulations to a syllabus, and listed LMS integrations include Canvas, Google Classroom, Blackboard, Moodle, Schoology, and D2L Brightspace.

Simulations run in supported browsers on Windows and Mac computers. Some are available on iPads and Chromebooks through the Labster app; smartphones, including iPhones and Android phones, are not supported for playing them. Purchases are available to instructors, faculty, and administrators at educational institutions. A free trial is offered, but there is no free plan. Pricing is on request; institutional or department engagements typically begin at $5,000 a year, billed annually, with final pricing dependent on the solution and implementation requirements.

Luminous XR combines survey-grade 3D scanning, digital twins, and immersive training for industrial operations. Its training covers safety and hazard recognition, procedures, technical skills, and asset familiarisation, with assessment and competency tracking. Teams can commission recreated real-world environments and equipment for project-specific content, or create and edit scenarios in FLOW using a visual graph of predefined nodes. FLOW modules include assisted learning, practice, and assessment; sessions support up to 20 participants in one virtual environment. Content runs on Meta Quest and HTC Vive through OpenXR and on Windows desktop, with desktop mode available on a laptop or tablet. PORTAL supports SSO, LMS integration, MDM, and device management, and provides training step logs and class and individual performance reports. Deployment options include on-premise, single-tenant regional cloud, and secure private hosting. Luminous describes integrations with Unity and NVIDIA Omniverse and displays ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification. The company was founded in 2004 and is based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Pricing is available on request; listed offerings include a £1,450 creator package and a $6000 workshop.