SimX alternatives
SimX has one of the biggest published libraries in VR medical simulation, with an editor and remote multiplayer. Teams look at alternatives when they want higher visual fidelity, mixed reality, Australian content or non-medical safety training on the same platform.
Here are five real options, including ours.
Disclosure: this page is written by Firsthand XR, which is one of the options. Last checked 12 November 2026.
Why teams look beyond SimX
- You want near-photoreal environments.
- You want mixed reality with passthrough or HoloLens 2.
- You also train first aid, mining, electrical, fire or EV safety.
- You need regional packs for Australia or Indonesia.
The options
Option 1
Firsthand XR
VR and mixed-reality simulation platform
Best for: Realism, cross-industry training and mixed reality
Near-photoreal rooms, a live patient engine, scored debriefs and team sessions on Meta Quest 3, PICO, PC VR and HoloLens 2. Covers nursing and hospitals plus first aid, mining, defence and EV trades, with regional packs for Australia, the USA and Indonesia. Smaller library than the established players, no scenario editor yet, and analytics are coming. LMS connections and single sign-on are set up during onboarding.
Option 2
Oxford Medical Simulation
Clinical simulation, screen and VR
Best for: Healthcare programs that want screen and headset access
Describes itself as immersive, AI-driven VR healthcare training, with an extensive library across nursing, medicine and allied health. Its FAQ says it runs on screen (PC, laptop, Mac) and in VR headsets, with automatic feedback and debrief, and multiplayer in many scenarios.
Source: oxfordmedicalsimulation.comOxford Medical Simulation vs Firsthand XR
Option 3
UbiSim
VR nursing simulation
Best for: Nursing programs that want to author their own scenarios
Dedicated exclusively to nursing education. Runs on Meta Quest headsets, offers a scenario editor and states alignment with NCLEX, NCSBN, AACN and INACSL standards.
Option 4
Start Beyond
Australian VR and AR training studio
Best for: Custom builds and enterprise procurement in Australia
Sydney-based studio with custom VR and AR programs and off-the-shelf products, including aged care and paediatric assessment titles. Lists LMS integration, SSO, ISO 27001 and SOC 2.
Option 5
Body Interact
Screen-based virtual patient
Best for: Clinical reasoning practice on laptops and phones
A screen-based virtual patient simulator for medicine, nursing, health science and EMS, available as a web app and on app stores. A good fit when headsets are not practical.
How to choose
- Medical only or mixed?
- If you train industry as well as clinicians, look for one platform that does both.
- Remote or in the room?
- If learners join from different places, SimX’s remote multiplayer is a strength. Firsthand XR team sessions run on one local network.
- Australian procurement needs?
- Start Beyond lists LMS, SSO and security certifications. Firsthand XR connects to your LMS and single sign-on during onboarding; security certifications are planned.
Questions people ask
What is the best SimX alternative?
For nursing-only with an editor, UbiSim. For screen and VR access, OMS. For realism, mixed reality and cross-industry training, Firsthand XR.
Is there an Australian alternative to SimX?
Firsthand XR is based in Australia with ANZCOR packs. Start Beyond is a Sydney studio that builds custom VR training.
Product and company names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify their products. Information about other products comes from their public websites and may have changed.
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