SimX vs Firsthand XR
The short verdict
SimX has a large published library, a scenario editor, remote and co-located multiplayer, and dedicated military and EMS packages. If library breadth and building your own cases matter most, it is hard to beat.
Firsthand XR is the pick if you want near-photoreal environments, mixed reality, regional packs for Australia, the US and Asia, and non-medical safety training (mining, electrical, fire, EV) on the same platform.
Last checked 12 November 2026. Every claim about SimX links to SimX’s own public pages. Spot something out of date? Tell us and we will fix it.
Firsthand XR product render. We do not show other vendors’ products or logos.
Where SimX is strong
- SimX says its nursing content includes over 150 simulations in up to 97 environments.
- SimX supports multiplayer for co-located and non-co-located groups.
- SimX has a scenario editor and record-and-playback debriefing tools.
Side by side
| Feature | SimX | Firsthand XR |
|---|---|---|
| Audiences | Nursing, physicians and students, hospital systems, EMS and military.[1] | Clinical, first aid, mining and industrial, defence, and EV trades. |
| Library | Describes the largest library of simulated patient encounters, including over 150 nursing simulations in up to 97 environments.[1] | 13 scenarios available, 8 in the pipeline. |
| Devices | Built to be compatible with all major VR headsets, including wireless all-in-one headsets.[2] | Meta Quest 3, PICO, PC VR and HoloLens 2. 6DoF, room-scale, with or without controllers. |
| Mixed reality | Not mentioned on the pages we reviewed.[1][2] | Yes. Passthrough mode places the scenario in your real room. |
| Multiplayer | Co-located and non-co-located training groups, 4+ learners around one patient.[2] | Team sessions with roles for headsets on the same network. Remote multiplayer is not available. |
| Scenario editor | Yes. Build more encounters with the Scenario Editor.[2] | Not available today. Custom scenarios are scoped with us. |
| Debrief | Reporting and debriefing tools, timestamps for critical actions, record and playback.[2] | Every action is timed and scored, with a debrief at the end of each run. |
| Military and EMS | VALOR package for military, and an EMS package with 12 simulations.[1] | Combat casualty care, ACLS, electrical rescue and workplace collapse. |
| Safety and trades | Not covered on the pages we reviewed.[1] | Confined space, electrical rescue, office fire, EV high-voltage workshop. |
| Pricing | Not published. Described as affordable.[1] | Not published. Pilot and site licence, quoted on a call. |
Choose SimX if
- You want the biggest possible medical library from day one.
- Learners need to join the same scenario from different locations.
- You want to build your own cases in an editor.
Choose Firsthand XR if
- Visual fidelity matters: near-photoreal rooms and equipment that look like the ward.
- You want mixed reality with passthrough, or HoloLens 2 support.
- You also train first aid, mining, electrical, fire or EV safety.
- You need Australian or Indonesian regional detail and language.
Questions people ask
Is Firsthand XR a SimX alternative?
For many teams, yes. SimX has a larger medical library and remote multiplayer. Firsthand XR leads on visual fidelity, mixed reality, regional packs and non-medical safety training.
Does Firsthand XR have a scenario editor?
Not today. We build scenarios and scope custom ones with you. SimX offers a scenario editor.
Can teams train together in Firsthand XR?
Yes. Headsets on the same network join one scenario with roles. Remote multiplayer across sites is not available.
Sources
Product and company names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to identify their products. This page is our own comparison and is not endorsed by any company named. Information about other products is taken from their public websites on the date shown and may have changed.
See it in a headset
Book a 30-minute demo. We will run a scenario live, talk through your training units and scope a pilot that fits your team.
