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Education · head to head

Labster vs SkySafari

Labster logo

Labster

Education

Virtual science labs for immersive learning

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkySafari logo

SkySafari

Education

Astronomy app sold in three tiered editions, from a cheap star chart to telescope control

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Labster customization is limited and labs cannot be easily adapted to specific course learning outcomes; SkySafari the three tiers are separate purchases, so upgrading from Basic to Plus or Pro later means buying again rather than paying the price difference.
  • They diverge on capability: Labster covers Virtual simulations, SkySafari covers Tiered editions.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Labster and SkySafari actually diverge.

Attributes where Labster and SkySafari differ
AttributeLabsterSkySafari
Pricing modelsubscriptionOne-time purchase per tier
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, macOS
Founded2011Unknown

Identical on both: starting price (On request), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Education).

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 SkySafari

  • Tiered editions
  • Telescope control
  • Large object catalogue
  • Event finder
  • Observing log
  • Time control

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Labster

  • Virtual labsnot SkySafari
  • Pre-lab preparationnot SkySafari
  • Supplemental learningnot SkySafari
  • Remote educationnot SkySafari

SkySafari

  • An amateur astronomer with a motorised telescope mount who needs live control from a phone or tabletnot Labster
  • A serious hobbyist who wants a deep-sky catalogue far larger than a casual sky map app providesnot Labster
  • Someone planning an observing session who wants an event finder for conjunctions and eclipsesnot Labster
  • A buyer choosing Basic first as a cheap star chart with no intention of telescope controlnot 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

SkySafari

  • The three tiers are separate purchases, so upgrading from Basic to Plus or Pro later means buying again rather than paying the price difference.
  • Even the Basic tier costs more than a comparable free or freemium app like Star Walk 2 for a casual user.
  • Telescope control only works with compatible motorised mounts, so it is useless to someone with a manual telescope or no telescope at all.
  • Pricing fluctuates with frequent promotional sales, so the list price is not a reliable guide to what most buyers actually pay.
  • The interface, particularly on the Pro tier, has a steeper learning curve than a simple AR sky map app aimed at casual users.

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

SkySafari

On request
  • SkySafari Basic$4.99/one-time
    • Core star chart
    • Modest object catalogue
    • No telescope control
  • SkySafari Plus$14.99/one-time
    • About 2.5 million stars and 32,000 deep-sky objects
    • Telescope control
    • Event finder and observing log
  • SkySafari Pro$29.99/one-time
    • Largest catalogue tier
    • Telescope control
    • Advanced observation planning tools

Which should you pick?

Choose Labster if

  • You need virtual simulations.
  • You also want 3d environments.
Labster review

Choose SkySafari if

  • You need tiered editions.
  • You work on iOS, Android, macOS.
  • You also want telescope control.
SkySafari review

Questions people ask

Is Labster or SkySafari better?
Neither clearly leads. Labster starts at On request and SkySafari at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Labster or SkySafari?
Labster starts at On request and SkySafari at On request.
Does Labster or SkySafari run on more platforms?
Labster runs on Web. SkySafari runs on iOS, Android, macOS.
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 SkySafari is typically brought in for.
What can Labster do that SkySafari cannot?
Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Quizzes. SkySafari covers Tiered editions, Telescope control, Large object catalogue, Event finder.

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.

SkySafari: What is the difference between Basic, Plus and Pro?

Basic is a simple star chart, Plus adds a much larger catalogue and telescope control, and Pro adds an even larger catalogue and advanced planning tools.

Labster: How many students has Labster served?

Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.

SkySafari: Can I upgrade from Basic to Plus later?

Not as a discounted upgrade; each tier is sold as a separate one-time purchase.

SkySafari: Does it work with any telescope?

Only telescopes with compatible motorised mounts and a supported connection method can be controlled from the app.

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