# GLOBE Observer vs OpenLitterMap

The clearest difference is review sentiment: OpenLitterMap at 83% against GLOBE Observer's 34%. OpenLitterMap also leads on rating (3.6 vs 3.1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). GLOBE Observer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

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

OpenLitterMap holds the better App Store score, 3.6 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GLOBE Observer has 86 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of GLOBE Observer's written reviews are positive against 83% of OpenLitterMap's.

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, OpenLitterMap every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | OpenLitterMap |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews) | **[3.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openlittermap/id1475982147/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **86** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | **83.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 5 MB | 47 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [Sean Lynch](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475982146) |

## 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


### OpenLitterMap

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/openlittermap/id1475982147)

Contribute to a global database of litter and plastic pollution by taking photos and tagging them. The interactive map visualizes pollution data, allowing users to create custom tags and see live updates. Participate in a worldwide competition to collect the most data.

**Highlights:** Interactive global litter map, Photo tagging of pollution, Customizable tag creation, Live map updates, Open source data, Country-based data collection competition

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GLOBE Observer free?

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

### Is OpenLitterMap free?

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

### Which has better reviews, GLOBE Observer or OpenLitterMap?

OpenLitterMap is rated higher. GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while OpenLitterMap averages 3.6 from 9 ratings.

### Do GLOBE Observer or OpenLitterMap have ads?

OpenLitterMap shows ads; GLOBE Observer does not.

### Which is updated more often, GLOBE Observer or OpenLitterMap?

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and OpenLitterMap every 3 weeks. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on October 2, 2026 and OpenLitterMap on September 26, 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.*