Molecular Workbench vs PraxiLabs
Molecular Workbench
mw.concord.orgPraxiLabs
praxilabs.comSide by side
| Figure | Molecular Workbench | PraxiLabs |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $2.50/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 10 |
| Spec score · Virtual Lab Software | 8.6 (#5) | 8.8 (#3) |
| Spec score · Chemistry Simulation Software | 8.5 (#7) | 8.6 (#5) |
| Founded | 1994 | Crunchbase states that PraxiLabs was founded in 2016 and headquartered in Cairo, Egypt. |
| Integrations | Next-generation interactives can be shared or embedded in course sites, blogs, emails and learning-management systems. | The School plan lists LMS integration with Moodle, Blackboard, and other platforms, and offers a built-in mini-LMS. |
| Subject coverage | Published materials cover gas laws, fluid mechanics, phase change, chemical bonding, reactions, genetics, protein synthesis, nanotechnology and quantum phenomena. | Biology content spans molecular biology, genetics, microbiology, immunology, toxicology, bioenergetics, biochemistry, cell culture, microscopy, proteomics and pharmacology. |
| What it does | Molecular Workbench provides interactive visual simulations and computational experiments for science teaching and learning. | PraxiLabs provides interactive 3D virtual science laboratories for chemistry, biology and physics learning. |
Plans
Molecular Workbench
- Molecular WorkbenchFree
- Molecular Workbench FreeFree
PraxiLabs
- Free PlanFree
- Free PlanFree
- Monthly Plan$6.99 a month
- Semester Plan$29.99 a year
- Semester Plan$29.99 a month
- Annual Plan$44.99 a year
- Custom PlanPriced on request
- School PlanPriced on request
- Teacher PlanPriced on request
- University PlanPriced on request
In their own words
Molecular Workbench
Molecular Workbench is a free modeling tool for designing and conducting computational experiments across science. Its interactive learning environment supports science inquiry, while its authoring system lets instructional designers create and publish curriculum based on models and simulations. Users can customize simulations or create their own, with topics spanning gas laws, fluid mechanics, states of matter, chemical reactions, genetics, protein synthesis, and quantum phenomena. Activities can include assessments, student-data collection, learning monitoring, and teacher feedback. Simulations can also be embedded in blogs, wikis, or web pages. The Next-Generation Molecular Workbench brings computational experiments to browsers using HTML5. An offline version is available, but it cannot access the latest simulations or collect student data. Downloads are listed for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, and require Java Runtime Environment 1.5 or later. The maker says the software needs considerable computing power and may start slowly while the Java virtual machine launches. Molecular Workbench is developed and maintained by the Concord Consortium.
PraxiLabs
PraxiLabs provides virtual science labs and educational content for learners and education providers. Its simulations cover biology, chemistry, and physics, with more than 220 available in the Semester and Annual plans. Learners interact with experiments in 3D, can repeat them, track progress, and receive immediate feedback. Oxi, described as a virtual science lab partner, provides personalized guidance during simulations. The platform also includes multiple-choice quizzes and assessments, reports, and analytics. Individual subscriptions are limited to one user: the Free Plan gives one month of access to three simulations, while the Monthly Plan provides any 10 simulations. Semester and Annual plans include access to all 220-plus simulations. The School plan lists Moodle, Blackboard, and other LMS integrations, plus a built-in mini-LMS; Teacher and University plans are also offered by quote. PraxiLabs runs online in a modern browser on a computer or laptop, with no installation required. The Free Plan costs nothing, the Monthly Plan $6.99 a month, the Semester Plan $29.99 a month, and the Annual Plan $44.99 a year.