# GLOBE Observer vs Coastal Eco Explorer

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Coastal Eco Explorer at 100% against GLOBE Observer's 34%. Coastal Eco Explorer also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.1). GLOBE Observer's advantage is ratings volume (86 vs 6) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.6). 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.

Coastal Eco Explorer 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 6, 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 100% of Coastal Eco Explorer's.

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, Coastal Eco Explorer every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | Coastal Eco Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.1 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews) | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coastal-eco-explorer/id1500638322/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **86** | 6 |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 5 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [UNCW Research Foundation](https://appshunter.io/developer/1500638321) |

## 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


### Coastal Eco Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/coastal-eco-explorer/id1500638322)

Explore North Carolina's coastal wildlife and ecosystems through interactive maps, videos, and educational content. Discover native flora and fauna while traversing park trails.

**Highlights:** Interactive park maps, Native flora and fauna information, Educational videos, Ecosystem exploration, Trail traversal guidance

**Features:** 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 Coastal Eco Explorer free?

Coastal Eco Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GLOBE Observer or Coastal Eco Explorer?

Coastal Eco Explorer is rated higher. GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while Coastal Eco Explorer averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.

### Do GLOBE Observer or Coastal Eco Explorer have ads?

Neither GLOBE Observer nor Coastal Eco Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, GLOBE Observer or Coastal Eco Explorer?

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and Coastal Eco Explorer every 4 months. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on October 15, 2026 and Coastal Eco Explorer on October 3, 2026.

---

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