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PhET Interactive Simulations
Boulder, Colorado, United States
What it is
PhET Interactive Simulations provides interactive science and mathematics simulations for students from preschool through university. Its design emphasizes scientific inquiry, visual models, multiple representations, real-world connections, and flexible classroom use. The simulations include virtual experiments and guided lessons, and PhET says their educational effectiveness is evaluated through student interviews and classroom observation. All simulations are open source. They are written in HTML5, with some older examples in Java or Flash, and 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 contains HTML5 and Java simulations and translations for offline use on Windows and macOS. PhET is available on the web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and select Chromebooks. Android browser-based HTML5 simulations and Linux are not officially supported. A free plan is available to students and teachers; the listed paid price starts at $0.99. Commercial use requires a license from the University of Colorado Boulder.
For and against
For
- Simulations are open source.
- Mobile apps support offline use.
- Includes virtual experiments and guided lessons.
- Free plan is available to students and teachers.
Against
- Android browser-based HTML5 simulations are not officially supported.
- Linux is not officially supported.
- Commercial use requires a University of Colorado Boulder license.
The verdict
PhET offers open-source interactive simulations with online and offline options across several platforms. Check platform support before relying on browser access on Android or Linux.
Who it suits
PhET suits preschool, K–12, and college students, as well as educators looking for interactive science and math material. Offline apps may suit learners who need to use simulations without an internet connection.
Plans and prices
Free simulations
Free to all students and teachers · online or downloadable · open source
Read 1 Oct 2026 · phet.colorado.edu
On the record
- Advertising
- PhET says it uses no advertisements or ad tracking technologies on its website or in its simulations.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Audience
- PhET simulations are designed primarily for K-12 and university students and are intended for students in preschool, K-12, or college.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Commercial licensing
- Commercial use of PhET simulations requires a commercial license from the University of Colorado Boulder.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Educators can create PhET accounts using Clever, which is a supported federated login provider.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Interactive design
- Design principles include scientific inquiry, interactivity, visual mental models, multiple representations, real-world connections, and flexible classroom use.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Mobile apps
- The Android and iOS apps contain all HTML5 simulations and translations for offline use and automatically download new HTML5 simulations.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Offline access
- The PhET Desktop App contains all HTML5 and Java simulations and translations for offline use on Windows and macOS.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Open source
- All simulations are open source.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Platform limits
- Android is not officially supported for browser-based HTML5 simulations, and Linux is not officially supported.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- 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.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Research and testing
- Each simulation is extensively tested and evaluated for educational effectiveness using student interviews and classroom observation.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- School deployment
- PhET for Schools apps can be deployed through the Google Admin Console and Apple School Manager or Apple Business Manager.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Security
- By default, user communications are served over HTTPS and PhET restricts access to personal information to essential personnel under confidentiality obligations.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- Simulation technology
- Simulations are written in HTML5, with some legacy simulations in Java or Flash, and can run online or be downloaded.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
- What it does
- PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations.phet.colorado.edu · read 1 Oct 2026
