ExploreLearning vs PhET:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, PhET had more branded searches than ExploreLearning among science simulation platforms worldwide. PhET had about 301,000 branded searches, while ExploreLearning had 135,000. PhET made up 54.9% of all science simulation platform searches we track, and ExploreLearning accounted for 24.6%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about science simulation platforms, PhET appeared in all five answers and ExploreLearning in one. PhET was mentioned before ExploreLearning in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
PhET, about 2 searches for every 1 for ExploreLearning
Who does AI mention more?
PhET, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
PhET, named ahead of ExploreLearning in every answer
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Top science simulation platforms in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, PhET appeared in all five answers. ExploreLearning was mentioned in one out of five: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in one of the two Google AI Overviews. PhET was listed before ExploreLearning in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- PhET5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Labster3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ChemCollective3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers- MATLAB and Simulink2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- NetLogo2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- COMSOL Multiphysics2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
PraxiLabs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ExploreLearning1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Pivot Interactives0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about science simulation platforms
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which science simulation platform should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best science simulation platforms?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best science simulation platform for virtual science labs?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“virtual science lab”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“online science lab”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is ExploreLearning or PhET more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for ExploreLearning and PhET by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine science simulation platforms we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for PhET, ExploreLearning. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | PhET | ExploreLearning | Labster | MATLAB and Simulink | NetLogo | Pivot Interactives | COMSOL Multiphysics | ChemCollective | PraxiLabs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 50.6% | 27.7% | 6.8% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 3% | 3% | 0.91% | 0.49% |
| Nov 2025 | 49.7% | 27.3% | 6.7% | 4.5% | 4.5% | 3% | 3% | 0.89% | 0.59% |
| Dec 2025 | 43.1% | 28.9% | 8.6% | 5.8% | 4.7% | 3.2% | 3.9% | 1.1% | 0.77% |
| Jan 2026 | 48% | 26.3% | 7.9% | 4.3% | 4.3% | 3.5% | 3.5% | 1.6% | 0.45% |
| Feb 2026 | 52.9% | 23.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.2% | 3.2% | 1.7% | 0.52% |
| Mar 2026 | 44.3% | 29.8% | 7.3% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 3.3% | 4% | 0.97% | 0.64% |
| Apr 2026 | 52.9% | 23.6% | 7.1% | 3.9% | 4.8% | 2.6% | 3.2% | 1.2% | 0.77% |
| May 2026 | 52.3% | 23.5% | 7% | 4.7% | 4.7% | 2.1% | 3.8% | 1.1% | 0.62% |
| Jun 2026 | 57.1% | 17.1% | 7.7% | 5.1% | 5.1% | 1.2% | 5.1% | 1% | 0.55% |
| Jul 2026 | 64.6% | 13% | 5.8% | 4.8% | 4.8% | 0.61% | 4.8% | 0.93% | 0.77% |
| Aug 2026 | 61% | 18.4% | 6.7% | 3.7% | 3.7% | 2% | 3% | 1.1% | 0.47% |
| Sep 2026 | 54.9% | 24.6% | 6% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 3.3% | 2.7% | 1.5% | 0.44% |
How has the ExploreLearning and PhET comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- PhET was ahead of ExploreLearning in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, ExploreLearning’s share of searches among science simulation platforms worldwide moved from 27.7% to 24.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 165K to 135K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, PhET’s share of searches among science simulation platforms worldwide moved from 50.6% to 54.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 301K.
How did search popularity change for science simulation platforms worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, ExploreLearning gained share of searches among science simulation platforms worldwide, from 18.4% to 24.6%.
In September 2026, PhET lost share of searches among science simulation platforms worldwide, from 61% to 54.9%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using ExploreLearning’s and PhET’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
ExploreLearning
1 branded search term
- explorelearning
PhET
1 branded search term
- phet simulations
Other head-to-heads among science simulation platforms
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