Explain 3D vs Real Solar System
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Explain 3D
Explore the solar system and universe in a 3D environment with realistic models and animations. Learn about planets and spacecrafts, with an option to suggest new simulations. The free version offers basic solar system data, while the full version unlocks more celestial bodies and spacecrafts.
- Interactive 3D environment
- Realistic 3D models and animations
- Planet and spacecraft descriptions
- Engaging educational content
- Suggest simulation tool
- Full version with expanded content
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Explore the solar system and universe with simulations in 3D environment. With Explain3D: Explore the universe, you will have unique chance to explore solar system, planets and most famous spacecrafts in the history of world. Everything is created in amazing 3D environment with realistic 3D models. Start your journey now! FEATURES - interactive 3D environment with complex and realistic 3D models and animations - simple, intuitive, smooth and user friendly interface - description of main parts of planets and spacecrafts - great to make education more engaging and interesting - Want some special simulation? Use "Suggest simulation tool" and we will implement your ideas into application. Free version Real simulation of solar system with planet ecliptic orbits and main information about route, speed and other information. Planets: Sun Spacecrafts: Sputnik 1 FULL version Real simulation of solar system with planet ecliptic orbits and main information about route, speed and other information. Planets: Sun, Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune... Spacecrafts: Apollo, Cassini-Huygens, Galileo, Hubble space telescope, ISS, Pioneer, Sputnik, Vostok, Voyager...
Real Solar System
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This solar system simulator reflects actual planetary position information. When the app is launched, the sun is positioned 20 cm in front of the device, based on the device's position. Around it, the eight main planets of the solar system and the celestial body to be observed orbit. The orbits are displayed as if they were trajectories. The position of each planet is calculated based on actual values. # Features - x] Realistic solar system with ARKit - x] Orbits of the 8 planets are displayed. - x] Planets are realistic textures imported from USDZ files. - x] Planet positions are calculated based on real values (using Horizons API) - x] The object to be observed can be changed. - x] Display of the orbit of the object of interest - x] Calculate the position of the target object based on actual values (using the Horizons API). - x] Adjustable speed (minus value for reverse rotation) - x] Zoom function (zoom in/zoom out) - x] Toggle the display of the text information and the coordinate axis (New!) ## How to use 1. when you launch the application, you will be asked for "permission to use camera" at the first startup. If you allow it, an ARKit session will start. 2. 2. a coordinate axis will be placed 20 cm in front of you, based on the device's position. 3. Tap the "Load Planet" button to load the planet model. Just wait a moment. 4. The 8 main planets of the solar system and the object to be observed will orbit around it. 5. Move the device to observe the solar system from various angles. 6. Tap the buttons at the bottom of the screen to adjust the speed and zoom. 7. You can change the object to be observed from the menu in the upper right corner of the screen. 1. Halley's Comet 2. Hayabusa2 & Ryugyu 3. Voyager 1 & 2 4. New Horizons & Pluto 5. Cassini (New!) 6. OSIRIS-REx & Bennu 7. Comparison of Circle and Ellipse 8. Geocentric theory (New!) 8. Toggle the display of the text information and the coordinate axis from the menu in the upper right corner of the screen. (New!)
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Explain 3D at 2.7 against Real Solar System's 1.0. Explain 3D also leads on ratings volume (7 vs 1) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 17.6). Real Solar System's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). On price, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. Explain 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Real Solar System asks for nothing beyond the download.
Explain 3D holds the better App Store score, 2.7 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Explain 3D has 7 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
Explain 3D ships an update every 5 months, Real Solar System monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Explain 3D | Real Solar System |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.7 (7 ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 7 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 17.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 205 MB | 302 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Explain 3D | Masaya Nagaoka |
In-app purchases
Explain 3D
- Unlock all simulations$3.99
Real Solar System
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Explain 3D free?
Is Real Solar System free?
Which has better reviews, Explain 3D or Real Solar System?
Do Explain 3D or Real Solar System have ads?
Which is updated more often, Explain 3D or Real Solar System?
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