# GLOBE Observer vs HaM

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: GLOBE Observer at none against HaM's 1. GLOBE Observer also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 7 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. HaM sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GLOBE Observer asks for nothing beyond the download.

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, HaM every 7 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GLOBE Observer | HaM |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.1 (91 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **91** | — |
| Positive reviews | 33.9% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 7 months |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Size | 5 MB | 96 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [Simon McAuliffe](https://appshunter.io/developer/1740443236) |

## 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


### HaM

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ham-ham-and-more/id6748721389)

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GLOBE Observer free?

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

### Is HaM free?

HaM is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do GLOBE Observer or HaM have ads?

Neither GLOBE Observer nor HaM shows ads.

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

GLOBE Observer ships an update every 2 months, and HaM every 7 months. Most recently, GLOBE Observer was updated on October 24, 2026 and HaM on October 25, 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.*