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Website

PhET

Free interactive science and maths simulations from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Visit PhET4.8

  • Rating

    4.8 / 5

  • Pricing

    Free

  • Difficulty

    Beginner

  • Works on

    Web

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What is PhET?

PhET offers fun, research-based simulations for physics, chemistry, biology, earth science and maths that run in the browser and are translated into many languages. The simulations are free for students and teachers, and each one is tested to make sure it helps people learn.

Pros: what PhET does well

  • Hands-on, playful learning
  • Huge range of topics
  • Free and translated widely

Cons: where it falls short

  • Some extra teacher tools are paid
  • Focused on school-level science

Who PhET is for

Students and teachers who want to see science and maths in action.

Who can skip it

Advanced researchers who need real modelling software.

What people use PhET for

  • Exploring physics ideas such as forces, circuits and waves by changing values and watching what happens
  • Teaching a science or maths lesson with a simulation on the classroom screen
  • Setting homework where students test ideas in a simulation instead of only reading about them
  • Learning chemistry, biology, earth science or maths at your own pace in your own language

How to get started

  1. 1Go to phet.colorado.edu and pick a subject: physics, maths and statistics, chemistry, earth and space, or biology.
  2. 2Open a simulation; most are HTML5 and run in a web browser.
  3. 3Change the language from the site menu if you want a translated version.
  4. 4For offline use, download simulations from the site, or get the PhET apps from the App Store or Google Play.

PhET pricing

PhET simulations are free for all students and teachers, funded by the University of Colorado Boulder and sponsors. PhET Studio, a tool for customising simulations, is a paid licence with a free trial. See current prices on PhET's site

Checked 2026-11-09. Prices change, so double-check before you pay.

PhET FAQ: quick answers

Are PhET simulations free?
Yes. The simulations on the website are free for students and teachers. Only extra tools such as PhET Studio need a paid licence.
Can I use PhET offline?
Yes. You can download simulations to your computer, and PhET apps are available on the App Store and Google Play.
Who makes PhET?
PhET Interactive Simulations is a project at the University of Colorado Boulder, supported by sponsors.

PhET alternatives

Not sold on PhET? These do a similar job, and each card says what it has in common.

All Learning resources

Khan Academy

Focus: online courses and non-profit. Shares maths and science with PhET. Adds iOS and Android. Same 4.8 rating.

WebsiteFreeWeb, iOS
4.8Visit

Math is Fun

Focus: worksheets and puzzles. Shares maths and education with PhET. Rated 4.6 (PhET: 4.8).

WebsiteFreeWeb
4.6Visit

Desmos

Focus: graphing calculator and geometry. Shares maths and education with PhET. A web app, not a website. Adds iOS and Android. Same 4.8 rating.

Web AppFreeWeb, iOS
4.8Visit

GeoGebra

Focus: geometry and graphing. Shares maths and education with PhET. A web app, not a website. Adds iOS, Android and Windows. Rated 4.7 (PhET: 4.8).

Web AppFreeWeb, iOS
4.7Visit

Wolfram|Alpha

Focus: calculations and knowledge engine. Shares maths and science with PhET. An AI tool, not a website. Freemium (PhET: Free). Adds iOS and Android. Rated 4.7 (PhET: 4.8).

AI ToolFree planWeb, iOS
4.7Visit

Human Atlas

Focus: anatomy, 3d and human body. Shares education and science with PhET. A web app, not a website. Rated 4.5 (PhET: 4.8).

Web AppFreeWeb
4.5Visit

Free alternatives to PhET

Want to spend nothing? These free picks cover similar ground.

Gapminder

Focus: data, global trends and statistics. Shares education with PhET. Rated 4.7 (PhET: 4.8).

WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit

Project Euler

Focus: programming, puzzles and problem solving. Shares maths with PhET. Rated 4.7 (PhET: 4.8).

WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit

PubMed

Focus: medical research, papers and citations. Shares science with PhET. Rated 4.7 (PhET: 4.8).

WebsiteFreeWeb
4.7Visit
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