# GLOBE Observer vs UNCW

The clearest difference is rating: UNCW at 5.0 against GLOBE Observer's 3.1. GLOBE Observer's advantage is ratings volume (86 vs 3) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

UNCW 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, UNCW every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 4, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | UNCW |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 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/uncw-mobile/id6503098249/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 | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [University of North Carolina Wilmington](https://appshunter.io/developer/1747988819) |

## 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


### UNCW

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/uncw-mobile/id6503098249)

This app provides the campus community with quick access to essential university information and resources. Navigate campus, find academic details, track shuttles, and get help with various services. Customize your experience by favoriting frequently used features.

**Highlights:** Building and parking locations, Navigation and directions, Academic calendar and schedules, Live shuttle tracker, Campus news and events, Favorite frequently used services

**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 UNCW free?

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

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

UNCW is rated higher. GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while UNCW averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do GLOBE Observer or UNCW have ads?

Neither GLOBE Observer nor UNCW shows ads.

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

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and UNCW every 5 months. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on September 23, 2026 and UNCW on June 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.*