PhET Interactive Simulations vs Tappity Science
PhET Interactive Simulations
phet.colorado.eduTappity Science
tappityapp.comSide by side
| Figure | PhET Interactive Simulations | Tappity Science |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $8.33/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 4 |
| Spec score · Science Learning Software | 7.9 (#12) | 7.3 (#20) |
| Audience | PhET simulations are designed primarily for K-12 and university students and are intended for students in preschool, K-12, or college. | The course pages describe the science courses as designed for grades K–5 and learning at home or in a homeschool setting. |
| Headquarters | Boulder, Colorado, United States | California, United States |
| Privacy | PhET states that no personally identifiable information is collected when users run simulations on the website, in the apps, embedded elsewhere, or from downloads. | The privacy policy says Tappity does not knowingly collect, use, or distribute personal information from children under 13 without prior verifiable parental consent. |
| Security | By default, user communications are served over HTTPS and PhET restricts access to personal information to essential personnel under confidentiality obligations. | The privacy policy says Tappity uses physical, technical, organizational, and administrative measures to protect personal information, while noting it cannot guarantee absolute security. |
| What it does | PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. | Tappity offers interactive science lessons and courses for children, including curriculum and interest-based content. |
Plans
Tappity Science
- Tappity - The #1 Science App for Kids (3-Month Membership)$29.99 a month
- 3-Month Tappity Science Curriculum Membership$59.99 a month
- 12-Month Explorer Membership$99.99 a year
- 12-Month Tappity Science Curriculum Membership$249.99 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.
Tappity Science
Tappity Science provides interactive science lessons and courses for children in grades K–5, aimed at home or homeschool learning. Families can create a free account to explore the curriculum. Content includes grade-level and interest-based courses, interactive simulations, guided lessons and assessment tools. Parent features include guides, planning tools, progress tracking and updates, while unlimited child profiles are listed for memberships. Tappity says it adds new content monthly. Plans include a 3-Month Tappity Science Curriculum Membership at $59.99 a month, a 12-Month Explorer Membership at $99.99 a year, and a 12-Month Tappity Science Curriculum Membership at $249.99 a year. A separate 3-Month app membership costs $29.99 a month and works only on iPad and iPhone with iOS 15.0 or later. Overall platforms are iOS, Android and web, with desktop listed among supported platforms. Tappity is based in California.