Software · head to head
Labster vs Flip
The short version
- Only Flip has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Labster customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes; Flip the Internet Archive's capture of Flip's homepage on 28 June 2022 stated 'Flip is a free video discussion app', confirming the Microsoft-owned product (rebranded from Flipgrid) carries no subscription fee.
- They diverge on capability: Labster covers Virtual simulations, Flip covers Video responses.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Labster and Flip actually diverge.
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Labster
- Virtual simulations
- 3D environments
- Theory pages
- Quizzes
- Lab reports
- Progress tracking
- Mobile access
- Multiplayer
Only in Flip
- Video responses
- Topics
- Camera effects
- Stickers
- Text responses
- Moderation
- Mixtapes
- AR camera
Both cover
- Canvas
- Google Classroom
- Web support
- IOS support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Labster
- Virtual labsnot Flip
- Pre-lab preparationnot Flip
- Supplemental learningnot Flip
- Remote educationnot Flip
Flip
- Video discussionsnot Labster
- Student portfoliosnot Labster
- Book talksnot Labster
- Language practicenot Labster
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Labster
- Customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes
- Simulations can lag or freeze depending on operating system and connection speed
- Cannot fully replace hands-on physical lab experience and data collection
- Students report preference for tactile physical lab experience over virtual simulations
Flip
- The Internet Archive's capture of Flip's homepage on 28 June 2022 stated 'Flip is a free video discussion app', confirming the Microsoft-owned product (rebranded from Flipgrid) carries no subscription fee.
Pricing, plan by plan
Labster
On request- Student Access$49/month
- Course simulations
- Mobile access
- Progress tracking
- Institution$undefined/month
- All simulations
- LMS integration
- Analytics
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- Custom content
- API access
- Priority support
Flip
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited groups
- Unlimited topics
- Video responses
Which should you pick?
Choose Flip if
- You need video responses.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, IOS, Android.
- You also want topics.
Questions people ask
- Is Labster or Flip better?
- Neither clearly leads. Labster starts at On request and Flip at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Labster or Flip?
- Flip has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Labster and Free for Flip.
- Does Labster or Flip run on more platforms?
- Labster runs on Web. Flip runs on Web, IOS, Android.
- Can I use Flip for free?
- Yes. Flip has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Labster starts at On request.
- What is Labster best used for?
- Labster is most often used for virtual labs, pre-lab preparation, supplemental learning, remote education. Of those, virtual labs and pre-lab preparation are not what Flip is typically brought in for.
- What can Labster do that Flip cannot?
- Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Quizzes. Flip covers Video responses, Topics, Camera effects, Stickers. Both handle Canvas, Google Classroom, Web support, IOS support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Labster: What STEM subjects does Labster cover?
Labster provides interactive 3D simulations across biology, chemistry, physics, and other STEM subjects, designed for university, college, and high school students.
Labster: How many students has Labster served?
Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.