Brandwave

COMSOL Multiphysics vs PhET:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, PhET had more branded searches than COMSOL Multiphysics among science simulation platforms worldwide. PhET had about 301,000 branded searches, while COMSOL Multiphysics had 14,800. PhET made up 54.9% of all science simulation platform searches we track, and COMSOL Multiphysics accounted for 2.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about science simulation platforms, PhET appeared in all five answers and COMSOL Multiphysics in two. PhET was mentioned before COMSOL Multiphysics in every answer.

Among science simulation platforms worldwide in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

PhET, about 20 searches for every 1 for COMSOL Multiphysics

PhET 301K searchesCOMSOL Multiphysics 14.8K searches

Who does AI mention more?

PhET, mentioned in every answer we collected

PhET in 5 of 5COMSOL Multiphysics in 2 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

PhET, named ahead of COMSOL Multiphysics in every answer

PhET first in 5COMSOL Multiphysics never first

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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. COMSOL Multiphysics was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. PhET was listed before COMSOL Multiphysics in every answer.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. PhET1st
  2. Labster2nd
  3. NetLogo3rd
  4. MATLAB and Simulink4th
  5. COMSOL Multiphysics5th
  6. ChemCollective5th
  7. PraxiLabs7th
  8. ExploreLearning8th
  9. Pivot Interactives–

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

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 COMSOL Multiphysics or PhET more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for COMSOL Multiphysics 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.

COMSOL Multiphysics and PhET among science simulation platforms worldwide, by month

Share of searches by month for PhET, COMSOL Multiphysics. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthPhETExploreLearningLabsterMATLAB and SimulinkNetLogoPivot InteractivesCOMSOL MultiphysicsChemCollectivePraxiLabs
Oct 202550.6%27.7%6.8%3.7%3.7%3%3%0.91%0.49%
Nov 202549.7%27.3%6.7%4.5%4.5%3%3%0.89%0.59%
Dec 202543.1%28.9%8.6%5.8%4.7%3.2%3.9%1.1%0.77%
Jan 202648%26.3%7.9%4.3%4.3%3.5%3.5%1.6%0.45%
Feb 202652.9%23.6%7.1%3.9%3.9%3.2%3.2%1.7%0.52%
Mar 202644.3%29.8%7.3%4.9%4.9%3.3%4%0.97%0.64%
Apr 202652.9%23.6%7.1%3.9%4.8%2.6%3.2%1.2%0.77%
May 202652.3%23.5%7%4.7%4.7%2.1%3.8%1.1%0.62%
Jun 202657.1%17.1%7.7%5.1%5.1%1.2%5.1%1%0.55%
Jul 202664.6%13%5.8%4.8%4.8%0.61%4.8%0.93%0.77%
Aug 202661%18.4%6.7%3.7%3.7%2%3%1.1%0.47%
Sep 202654.9%24.6%6%3.3%3.3%3.3%2.7%1.5%0.44%

How has the COMSOL Multiphysics and PhET comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings

How did search popularity change for science simulation platforms worldwide in September 2026?

3 changes

  1. In September 2026, Pivot Interactives overtook COMSOL Multiphysics to rank 6th among science simulation platforms worldwide, with 3.3% of the searches.

  2. In September 2026, PhET lost share of searches among science simulation platforms worldwide, from 61% to 54.9%.

  3. COMSOL Multiphysics’ share of searches among science simulation platforms worldwide has lost ground for 3 months in a row, from 5.1% to 2.7% in September 2026.

How are branded searches counted?

2 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using COMSOL Multiphysics’ 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.

COMSOL Multiphysics

1 branded search term

  • comsol multiphysics

PhET

1 branded search term

  • phet simulations

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among science simulation platforms

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