# GLOBE Observer vs PA AIS Field Guide

The clearest difference is rating: PA AIS Field Guide at 5.0 against GLOBE Observer's 3.1. GLOBE Observer's advantage is ratings volume (86 vs 3). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

PA AIS Field Guide holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GLOBE Observer has 86 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, PA AIS Field Guide every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | PA AIS Field Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pa-ais-field-guide/id1448504422/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **86** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 5 MB | 27 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [Skyward App Company](https://appshunter.io/developer/821096887) |

## What reviewers say

### GLOBE Observer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751)

Contribute to real scientific research by making environmental observations. Document clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees using your mobile device. Your data supports scientists worldwide, including NASA and NOAA.

**Highlights:** Make environmental observations, Document clouds, Map mosquito habitats, Record land cover, Measure tree height, Contribute to scientific research

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for citizen science
- 💡 Educational and informative
- 👍 Easy to use (for some)
- 👍 Meaningful environmental measurements
- 👍 Fun and engaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Login/update issues
- 🐛 Account creation problems
- 🐛 Observations not submitting
- 🐛 Poor UI/UX design

**Reported bugs**

- Checking for updates loop
- 504 error on account creation
- Fails after step 5 in account creation
- Robot verification loop
- App crashes on opening

**Requested features**

- Improve UI/UX design
- Add dark mode
- Better translation
- Notifications for satellite flyovers
- Integrate with WorldView or Google Earth


### PA AIS Field Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pa-ais-field-guide/id1448504422)

Identify, report, and catalog non-native aquatic animal and plant species in Pennsylvania. This educational tool helps users contribute to conservation efforts by documenting invasive species.

**Highlights:** Identify aquatic invasive species, Report sightings, Catalog species, Educational resource, Contribute to conservation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GLOBE Observer free?

GLOBE Observer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PA AIS Field Guide free?

PA AIS Field Guide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GLOBE Observer or PA AIS Field Guide?

PA AIS Field Guide is rated higher. GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while PA AIS Field Guide averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do GLOBE Observer or PA AIS Field Guide have ads?

Neither GLOBE Observer nor PA AIS Field Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GLOBE Observer or PA AIS Field Guide?

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and PA AIS Field Guide every 5 months. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on September 23, 2026 and PA AIS Field Guide on September 15, 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.*