Comparison

Explain 3D vs Real Solar System

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D environment
  • Realistic 3D models and animations
  • Planet and spacecraft descriptions
  • Engaging educational content
  • Suggest simulation tool
  • Full version with expanded content
Features
Read full description

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...

About

Real Solar System

Read full description

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

Explain 3D3 screens
Real Solar System4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Explain 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Real Solar System asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Explain 3D versus Real Solar System: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExplain 3DReal Solar System
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (7 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings7 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size205 MB302 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperExplain 3DMasaya Nagaoka

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Explain 3D

One-time1
  • Unlock all simulations$3.99
None

Real Solar System

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Explain 3D free?
Explain 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Real Solar System free?
Real Solar System is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Explain 3D or Real Solar System?
Explain 3D is rated higher. Explain 3D averages 2.7 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Real Solar System averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Explain 3D or Real Solar System have ads?
Neither Explain 3D nor Real Solar System shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Explain 3D or Real Solar System?
Explain 3D ships an update every 5 months, and Real Solar System monthly. Most recently, Explain 3D was updated on October 22, 2026 and Real Solar System on October 24, 2026.

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