Software · head to head
Labster vs Udemy
The short version
- Only Udemy 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; Udemy course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
- They diverge on capability: Labster covers Virtual simulations, Udemy covers Video courses.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Labster and Udemy 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
- Lab reports
- Progress tracking
- Mobile access
- Multiplayer
- Canvas
Only in Udemy
- Video courses
- Assignments
- Certificates
- Mobile learning
- Offline viewing
- Q&A
- Reviews
- Slack
Both cover
- Quizzes
- 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 Udemy
- Pre-lab preparationnot Udemy
- Supplemental learningnot Udemy
- Remote educationnot Udemy
Udemy
- Skill buildingnot Labster
- Career transitionnot Labster
- Professional developmentnot Labster
- Team trainingnot 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
Udemy
- Course quality varies significantly as Udemy allows anyone to create and sell courses without vetting
- No formal credentials or degrees offered, unlike Coursera and edX which offer institution-branded certificates
- Courses are self-paced with no instructor interaction or support, making structured learning difficult for some students
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
Udemy
Free- Personal$19/month
- 11,000+ courses access
- Team$360/year
- For 5-20 people
Which should you pick?
Choose Udemy if
- You need video courses.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, iOS, Android.
- You also want assignments.
Questions people ask
- Is Labster or Udemy better?
- Neither clearly leads. Labster starts at On request and Udemy at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Labster or Udemy?
- Udemy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Labster and Free for Udemy.
- Does Labster or Udemy run on more platforms?
- Labster runs on Web. Udemy runs on Web, iOS, Android.
- Can I use Udemy for free?
- Yes. Udemy 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 Udemy is typically brought in for.
- What can Labster do that Udemy cannot?
- Labster covers Virtual simulations, 3D environments, Theory pages, Lab reports. Udemy covers Video courses, Assignments, Certificates, Mobile learning. Both handle Quizzes, Web support, IOS support, Android 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.
Udemy: Does Udemy offer team/business pricing?
Yes, Udemy's Team plan costs $360 per user annually for groups of 5 to 20 people, in addition to individual Personal plan at $19/month.
SourceLabster: How many students has Labster served?
Labster has served over 6 million students and thousands of institutions globally with its virtual lab simulations.
Related pages
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