# Stretch and Squash vs Star Exploration

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Stretch and Squash at none against Star Exploration's 1. Stretch and Squash also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Star Exploration sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Stretch and Squash asks for nothing beyond the download.

Stretch and Squash ships an update every 11 months, Star Exploration every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Stretch and Squash | Star Exploration |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[1.8 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stretch-and-squash/id1082052185/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **16** | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | **Every 10 months** |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 64 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Laser Labs](https://appshunter.io/developer/1076013854) | [振华 许](https://appshunter.io/developer/1437340417) |

## What reviewers say

### Stretch and Squash

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stretch-and-squash/id1082052185)

Visualize the effects of gravitational waves on space-time. This educational app exaggerates the stretching and squashing of distances between objects as these cosmic ripples pass through.

**Highlights:** Gravitational wave visualization, Stretching and squashing effects, Exaggerated visual emphasis, Space-time ripple demonstration, Educational physics concepts

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Star Exploration

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-exploration/id6479958031)

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $0.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Stretch and Squash free?

Stretch and Squash is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Star Exploration free?

Star Exploration is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Stretch and Squash or Star Exploration have ads?

Neither Stretch and Squash nor Star Exploration shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Stretch and Squash or Star Exploration?

Stretch and Squash ships an update every 11 months, and Star Exploration every 10 months. Most recently, Stretch and Squash was updated on November 2, 2026 and Star Exploration on November 4, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*