PhET Interactive Simulations vs Sowiso
PhET Interactive Simulations
phet.colorado.edu
Sowiso
sowiso.comSide by side
| Figure | PhET Interactive Simulations | Sowiso |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | €0.67/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 12 |
| Spec score · Statistics Learning Software | 8.2 (#5) | 7.8 (#7) |
| Founded | 2002 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, United States | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Integrations | Educators can create PhET accounts using Clever, which is a supported federated login provider. | Sowiso supports LTI versions 1.1 and 1.3 to connect with learning management systems such as Canvas or Moodle. |
| Security | By default, user communications are served over HTTPS and PhET restricts access to personal information to essential personnel under confidentiality obligations. | Sowiso states that it is ISO 27001 certified. |
Plans
Sowiso
- Starter — student fee€10 a year
- Essential — student fee€10 a year
- Ultimate — student fee€8 a year
- Starter / Essential — standard course fee€12 a year
- Starter / Essential — premium course fee€18 a year
- Starter / Essential — full course library fee€30 a year
- Ultimate — standard course fee€10 a year
- Ultimate — premium course fee€15 a year
- Ultimate — full course library fee€25 a year
- Ultimate€8 a year
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.