Labster vs VRLab Academy

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.

VRLab Academy provides virtual and PC-based science laboratories for schools and universities, with more than 240 interactive experiments. Learners manipulate equipment, record and analyze data, and compare results with a responsive answer sheet. Teaching features include lesson structures, assessment, student progress tracking, and a learner management dashboard. The company says experiments align with curricula including IB, Cambridge International, and Edexcel. LMS integration supports single sign-on, embedded experiment resources, and assignment and grade passback; the FAQ says it works with any LMS. Experiments are listed in English, Spanish, Turkish, German, Arabic, and Russian. The product is intended for learners from primary school through university, with VRLab Academy Junior for primary and middle school. Platforms include Android, iOS, macOS, web, and Windows. Listed computer requirements include Windows 10 64-bit or newer or Mac OS 64-bit, with at least 8 GB RAM. Mobile requirements include iPad 6th generation or newer and Android 9.0 or later with a GPU supporting OpenGL ES 3.0 or later. Pricing is on request; the listed subscription option includes more than 240 experiments, free instructor access, learner management, and LMS integration.