Comparison

Universe Maker vs Solar Explorer 3D

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Universe Maker

Explore the potential histories and futures of a universe by adjusting its fundamental components. This educational tool allows users to experiment with radiation, matter, and dark energy to observe how these elements influence cosmic evolution.

Highlights
  • Simulate universe histories and futures
  • Tinker with universe composition
  • Observe cosmic evolution
  • Experiment with radiation, matter, and dark energy
Read full description

Universe make lets you the many possible histories and futures that a universe can have. Scientists believe that our universe is expanding at an accelerating rate and will expand forever. If the composition of our universe were to change, however, its future could be quite different. Our universe contains three things: radiation, matter, and dark energy. Together, these three components control the evolution of the universe. Universe Maker invites you to tinker with the composition of our universe and watch its history and destiny change.

About

Solar Explorer 3D

Explore the solar system with a realistic 3D simulation. Discover celestial bodies, spacecraft, and surface features with detailed models and orbital mechanics. Compare sizes, replay missions, and view the universe from different perspectives.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D solar system simulation
  • Detailed celestial body and spacecraft models
  • Size comparison of planets and moons
  • Surface feature exploration
  • Mission replay functionality
  • Time acceleration and reversal
Features
Read full description

Embark on an immersive journey through the solar system! Solar Explorer brings the solar system to life with a stunning 3D simulation based on real astronomical data, featuring 60+ celestial bodies and spacecraft. Experience the grandeur and mysteries of the universe in the palm of your hand. Key Features • Realistic Simulation – Explore the orbits of celestial bodies and spacecraft, along with the rotation of planets and moons, in an immersive 3D simulation. • Close-Up View – Observe surfaces and rotation up close, follow moons around their parent planets, and examine detailed 3D spacecraft models. • Size Comparison – Compare the Sun, planets, dwarf planets, and major moons side by side at true scale to appreciate the differences in size between celestial bodies. • Landing View – View a realistic starry sky and the Milky Way from selected surface locations on different celestial bodies. • Time Acceleration – Speed up time or run it backward to explore how celestial bodies and spacecraft move. • Mission Replay – Replay selected space missions with trajectory overviews and close-ups of key events. • Surface Features – Zoom in to discover surface features and place names on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Professional-Grade Experience • Planet, moon, and spacecraft positions are calculated using astronomical data and celestial mechanics, with information panel data updated to match the simulation time. • Inspect high-resolution surface textures up close and discover the varied landscapes of planets and moons. • Examine detailed 3D spacecraft models, including all five probes that have traveled beyond Neptune’s orbit, and track their speed and distance from Earth as simulation time changes. • Discover historic landing sites on the Moon, Mars, Venus, and other worlds, with details about landers and surface features. • Landing view uses celestial mechanics and viewing geometry to recreate the local sky and celestial motion, reflecting effects such as the Moon’s tidal locking and Venus’s retrograde rotation. • The Earth-Moon view extends to the Sun-Earth Lagrange points L1 and L2, with orbital paths for space telescopes such as JWST, Roman, and Euclid. • Enjoy detailed planetary rings, the Sun’s corona and glow, and sweeping views of the asteroid belt and Kuiper belt, along with shadows and transits. Intuitive Controls • Tap a celestial body or its name label to enter close-up view, or browse celestial bodies and spacecraft in the catalog. • Drag with one finger to rotate the view, and pinch with two fingers to zoom. • In close-up view, use the location picker to choose a target landing site. On Earth, you can also use your current location. • Adjust the speed and direction of time in orbit view, close-up view, and landing view to observe rotation and orbital motion. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast, an educator, or a curious explorer, Solar Explorer opens a gateway to the mysteries of the universe. Download now and begin your space adventure!

Screenshots

Universe Maker1 screens
Solar Explorer 3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universe Maker at 100% against Solar Explorer 3D's 50%. Universe Maker also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 16.0). Solar Explorer 3D's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 4.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Solar Explorer 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Universe Maker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Solar Explorer 3D holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 25 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 100% of Universe Maker's written reviews are positive against 50% of Solar Explorer 3D's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Universe Maker versus Solar Explorer 3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterUniverse MakerSolar Explorer 3D
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (11 ratings)4.2 (25 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings1125 — better
Update frequency—Every 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS9.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB838 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperChristopher LeetShenzhen Qizhuan Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Universe Maker

All ratings6 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Solar Explorer 3D

All ratings25 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative16.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Universe Maker

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Solar Explorer 3D

One-time1
  • Premium Edition$3.99

Questions

Is Universe Maker free?
Universe Maker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Solar Explorer 3D free?
Solar Explorer 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Universe Maker or Solar Explorer 3D?
Solar Explorer 3D is rated higher. Universe Maker averages 4.0 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Solar Explorer 3D averages 4.2 from 25 ratings.
Do Universe Maker or Solar Explorer 3D have ads?
Neither Universe Maker nor Solar Explorer 3D shows ads.

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