Comparison

Gliders by Design vs Orbital Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Gliders by Design

Design and build your own handheld gliders using your iPad or Mac. This application provides authentic glider analyses and predictions, empowering users to learn about flight through hands-on creation. It's a rewarding way to explore aerodynamics and engineering principles.

Highlights
  • Handheld glider design
  • Authentic glider analysis
  • Flight predictions
  • Build and fly custom designs
  • STEM learning tool
  • School success
Features
Read full description

Harness the incredible power of your iPad or MacOS desktop computer. Design impressive handheld gliders that you can easily put together. Create whole squadrons of your very own designs that you can make soar! Have a contest to see who can design and build the best glider. All you need is our software, along with your iPad, scissors, a metric ruler, card stock and/or balsa wood, a little clay, and a bottle of super glue (for card stock gliders) or a hot glue gun (for balsa wood gliders). This software is a true designing application that includes authentic glider analyses and predictions. It requires a bit more effort to design and build your own gliders to fly instead of just watching simulations, or using prebuilt designs, but the payoff can be well worth it. By building your own gliders you will quickly learn much more about flight, while likely feeling far more empowered and satisfied seeing your designs glide off into the distance. The software is already a great success at many schools (students 11 years old and up).

About

Orbital Simulator

Explore orbital mechanics through interactive simulations and real-time solar system data. Learn about Kepler's Laws, practice orbital maneuvers, and engage in mission objectives. Ideal for students and space enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Interactive orbital simulations
  • Kepler's Laws visualization
  • Orbital maneuver practice
  • Real-time solar system view
  • Customizable orbital parameters
  • Detailed educational content
  • Mission-based challenges
Features
Read full description

Embark on an interactive journey through space with Orbital Simulator: Explore. This comprehensive app is designed to educate and engage users of all levels, from space enthusiasts to students, offering a deep dive into the fascinating world of orbital mechanics. Key Features: Interactive Simulations: Experiment with circular, elliptical, and hyperbolic orbits. See how changing parameters like semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination affect trajectories. Kepler’s Laws: Visualize and understand Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion with clear, interactive simulations. Orbital Maneuvers: Practice key maneuvers such as Hohmann transfers, Lambert transfers, and circularizations. Learn how these maneuvers are used in real space missions. Real-Time Solar System: View real-time positions of planets and moons within our solar system. Understand how celestial bodies interact and move over time. Customizable Parameters: Adjust orbital parameters and see the immediate effects on your spacecraft's trajectory. Experiment with different scenarios and learn through hands-on experience. Educational Content: Access detailed explanations, tutorials, and guides designed to enhance your understanding of space mechanics and celestial navigation. Dynamic Environment: Navigate complex gravitational fields in various scenarios, including binary star systems and multi-body interactions. Mission Objectives: Engage in missions that challenge you to establish orbits, perform transfers, and navigate through dynamic environments. Each mission helps you apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. Visual Trajectory Paths: Visualize the path of your spacecraft with real-time trajectory lines. Understand the impact of your maneuvers and improve your navigation skills. Why Choose Orbital Simulator: Explore? For Space Enthusiasts and Students: Whether you’re a budding astronomer or a seasoned space enthusiast, this app offers valuable insights and engaging content for all levels. Educational Tool: Ideal for classroom settings or individual study, providing interactive and immersive learning experiences. User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive controls and clear visuals make it easy to understand complex concepts. Constant Updates: We continuously update the app with new features, scenarios, and educational content to keep your learning experience fresh and relevant. Download Orbital Simulator: Explore now and embark on your journey through the stars. Master the art of orbital mechanics, explore the intricacies of celestial navigation, and experience the wonder of the cosmos. Join a community of space enthusiasts and students who are exploring the universe, one orbit at a time. Ready to become an orbital mechanic? Your adventure starts here!

Screenshots

Orbital Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Orbital Simulator at Free against Gliders by Design's $4.99. Orbital Simulator also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 30 months) and device support (3 vs 1). Gliders by Design's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On rating, in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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

Orbital Simulator is free to download; Gliders by Design costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Gliders by Design against 5.0 for Orbital Simulator. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Gliders by Design ships an update every 30 months, Orbital Simulator fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 9, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Gliders by Design versus Orbital Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGliders by DesignOrbital Simulator
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings26 — better
Update frequencyEvery 30 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidAd-supported — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB247 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSeeds SoftwareRenzo Macedo

Customer experience

Gliders by Design

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Orbital Simulator

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Gliders by Design

No in-app purchases

None

Orbital Simulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Gliders by Design free?
Gliders by Design costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Orbital Simulator free?
Orbital Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Gliders by Design or Orbital Simulator?
Gliders by Design and Orbital Simulator are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 6 ratings respectively.
Do Gliders by Design or Orbital Simulator have ads?
Orbital Simulator shows ads; Gliders by Design does not.
Which is updated more often, Gliders by Design or Orbital Simulator?
Gliders by Design ships an update every 30 months, and Orbital Simulator fortnightly. Most recently, Gliders by Design was updated on October 9, 2026 and Orbital Simulator on October 22, 2026.

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