Comparison

GLOBE Observer vs UTEP Go

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

Head to head
About

GLOBE Observer

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
Read full description

The GLOBE Observer app enables you to make observations of your environment. GLOBE Observer is the app of the Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program. The GLOBE Program is an international science and education program that provides students and people of all ages worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment. By using the GLOBE Observer app, you contribute scientific data to your community, students and scientists worldwide, including researchers at NASA, NOAA, and other science research institutions. GLOBE Observer allows all users to contribute observations of clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees. Trained and certified users can also use the app to submit additional environmental measurements from all GLOBE protocols. GLOBE Clouds allows observers to make regular observations of Earth’s cloud cover and compare them to satellite observations. With GLOBE Mosquito Habitat Mapper, users locate mosquito habitats, observe and identify mosquito larvae, and reduce the potential threat of mosquito borne disease. GLOBE Land Cover is designed to allow users to document what is on the land (trees, grass, buildings, etc.). GLOBE Trees asks users to estimate a tree’s height by taking pictures of trees with their device and answering a few questions. Additional capabilities may be added. Visit us at https://www.globe.gov and https://observer.globe.gov.

About

UTEP Go

This app provides a centralized hub for University of Texas at El Paso students to access essential campus information. It includes features like a campus map, event listings, and class schedules to enhance the student experience.

Highlights
  • Campus map
  • Admissions information
  • Event listings
  • Class schedules
  • Student resources
Features
Read full description

All of the UTEP Miner experience, all in one place — now on the go! The official UTEP Go app helps students at The University of Texas at El Paso stay connected to the university. Features include: campus map, admissions info, events, class schedules and much, much more.

Screenshots

GLOBE Observer4 screens
UTEP Go4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GLOBE Observer at 3.1 against UTEP Go's 2.2. GLOBE Observer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 18 months) and ratings volume (91 vs 17). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GLOBE Observer holds the better App Store score, 3.1 against 2.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GLOBE Observer has 91 ratings behind it against 17, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 34% and 33% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, UTEP Go every 18 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
GLOBE Observer versus UTEP Go: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGLOBE ObserverUTEP Go
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.1 (91 ratings) — better2.2 (17 ratings)
Positive reviews33.9% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings91 — better17
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 18 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNASAThe University of Texas at El Paso

Customer experience

GLOBE Observer

All ratings86 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral7.0%
Negative43.0%
Written reviews59 reviews
Positive33.9%
Neutral18.6%
Negative47.5%

UTEP Go

All ratings12 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral8.3%
Negative58.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%

Bugs and requests

GLOBE Observer

Reported bugs

39 issues
  • Checking for updates loop
  • 504 error on account creation
  • Fails after step 5 in account creation
  • Robot verification loop
  • App crashes on opening
Show 34 more
  • Observations not submitting (error exclamation mark)
  • Interminable in-app required update
  • Errors in data entry, observations not sending/deleting
  • Invalid password errors
  • Cloud observation chart images disappear
  • No reply from support
  • App doesn't open on iPhone
  • Won't update
  • Logged out, wrong password, account locked
  • Data lost after system crash
  • Cloud ID chart not loading properly
  • Observations keep loading forever
  • iPhone stuck on installing updates
  • App crashes and never fully loads
  • Can't get photos to upload
  • User interface poorly designed
  • No observations shown when there are
  • No way to export data
  • App is forever 'installing updates'
  • Camera portion of data collection quit working
  • No way to submit a report from 'Pictures'
  • Compass won't calibrate
  • Photo feature locks screen
  • No button to take photo
  • App crashes if location is not set
  • Updates take too long
  • Photo submission portal hopeless
  • Native camera app has no prompts to submit photos
  • 'Done' button does nothing
  • 401 unknown error when sending reports
  • App goes bonkers when attaching photo
  • Screen flickers rapidly when attaching photo
  • Cannot get out of camera within app
  • Whirring wheel for update in progress for hours

Requested features

8 requests
  • Improve UI/UX design
  • Add dark mode
  • Better translation
  • Notifications for satellite flyovers
  • Integrate with WorldView or Google Earth
Show 3 more
  • More explanation/examples for cloud types
  • Export data in spreadsheet/GPS format
  • Allow users to contribute design improvements

UTEP Go

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

GLOBE Observer

No in-app purchases

None

UTEP Go

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is GLOBE Observer free?
GLOBE Observer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is UTEP Go free?
UTEP Go is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, GLOBE Observer or UTEP Go?
GLOBE Observer is rated higher. GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 91 ratings, while UTEP Go averages 2.2 from 17 ratings.
Do GLOBE Observer or UTEP Go have ads?
Neither GLOBE Observer nor UTEP Go shows ads.
Which is updated more often, GLOBE Observer or UTEP Go?
GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and UTEP Go every 18 months. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on October 24, 2026 and UTEP Go on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons