Side by side
Open Source Physics vs Xcos
Both stand on physics simulation software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Choose Open Source Physics if you want free physics curriculum resources alongside simulation, authoring, video-tracking, or data-analysis tools. Check the licensing of curricular narratives separately if you plan to reuse them, since their terms may differ from the source and compiled code.
Visit Open Source PhysicsChoose Xcos if you need a free desktop editor for building and simulating hybrid dynamical-system models, especially for industrial or academic work. Its palettes, reusable superblocks, configurable subsystems, and Modelica support cover a range of modeling workflows. Modelica use requires a C compiler, and the listed delivery mode is desktop.
Visit XcosThe facts
| Open Source Physics | Xcos | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Android, iPhone, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Not published | Free or on request |
| Plans published | None | 1 |
| Maker | Open Source Physics | Xcos |
| Website | compadre.org | scilab.org |
| On physics simulation software | #10 of 89 | #6 of 89 |
Open Source Physics: what it does well
- Free and open source, with web, desktop, and mobile platforms.
- Includes a library of more than 2,000 collection items.
- Tracker analyzes video and tracks objects for physics instruction.
- Curriculum packages combine simulations, tutorials, and student worksheets.
- DataTool provides plotting, fitting, and statistics tools.
What to know first
- Curricular narratives may have copyrights or licenses separate from the OSP code.
- Launcher packages depend on a Java VM on the local machine.
- Tracker is designed for introductory college physics labs and lectures.
Xcos: what it does well
- Free software distributed with Scilab.
- Runs on Windows, Linux, and Intel or ARM macOS.
- Models can be designed, loaded, saved, compiled, and simulated.
- Supports user-defined palettes and reusable superblocks.
- All Scilab data types are available for signal definition.
What to know first
- A C compiler is needed to use Modelica in Xcos.
- Xcos is delivered as desktop software.
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