Comparison

Totality by Big Kid Science vs Eclipse 2026 AR

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

Head to head
About

Totality by Big Kid Science

Discover upcoming total solar eclipses worldwide with interactive maps and personalized viewing information. Learn about eclipse science, safe viewing practices, and find navigation tools to reach the path of totality. This free educational app also offers resources for educators and a shop for related books and viewing glasses.

Highlights
  • Interactive eclipse maps
  • Location-based viewing predictions
  • Navigation to path of totality
  • Eclipse science and safety information
  • Classroom activities
  • Shop for eclipse glasses and books
Features
Read full description

A total solar eclipse is among the most awe-inspiring events in nature, but most people have never had the opportunity to experience one. Totality by Big Kid Science, a FREE educational app now owned by the nonprofit American Astronomical Society, aims to help change that by helping you learn about solar eclipses and find your way to upcoming total solar eclipses around the world through the year 2050. Totality, your solar-eclipse companion, includes these awesome features: • Interactive maps that show exactly what you’ll see at any location in the world for upcoming total solar eclipses, as well as a review of recent ones. (Maps are based on eclipse code graciously provided by Xavier Jubier.) • Using your phone's GPS, the app will tell you what you'll see for these eclipses at your current location, if anything, and show the nearest locations where you can witness totality. • The app offers navigation tools to help you find your best route to the path of totality (when driving is possible). • The Learn screen offers options that will help you learn how to view a solar eclipse safely, help you understand the science behind eclipses, and much more. It even includes a set of classroom activities. • The Shop screen offers fantastic books about space and science (including a children’s book designed to accompany the app), eclipse glasses for safe viewing (which you can use to look at the Sun at any time, not just during an eclipse), and links to some of our favorite space education nonprofits. • An updated User Guide and numerous improvements to the app’s functionality. And it's all absolutely free, including no ads, brought to you as a public service by Big Kid Science and the American Astronomical Society. Totality by Big Kid Science is now available in English, Spanish, French, and Portuguese (determined by the language setting on your device). Privacy Policy: https://bigkidscience.com/privacy-policy/

About

Eclipse 2026 AR

Features
Read full description

On August 12, 2026, the sky will present an unforgettable spectacle: a total solar eclipse visible across Iceland, Spain, and other parts of the world. Want to know exactly how it will look from your position or plan the perfect trip to experience 100% totality? Eclipse 2026 AR is the ultimate Augmented Reality (AR) simulator that allows you to preview and track the solar eclipse directly from your iPhone. Find the perfect viewing spot long before the event begins! Point your camera at the sky to see the exact positions of the Sun and Moon in real time, or travel through time to simulate the entire event from any corner of the planet. MAIN FEATURES PRECISE AUGMENTED REALITY Visually project the Sun and Moon onto your live camera view. Check the exact degree of solar obscuration at any time and location. Includes a quick-access button to jump straight to the exact moment the eclipse starts at your current position! ADVANCED TIME SIMULATOR Control time at your fingertips! Fast-forward or reverse the eclipse's progress with an extreme speed selector (ranging from -500x to +500x). Press "Play" to watch the celestial bodies move, or freeze time completely to analyze the peak moment. INTERACTIVE SHADOW MAP Track the eclipse's shadow path across the globe. See how the shadow moves at your selected date and time, and easily identify the path of totality (maximum darkness) versus partial eclipse zones. CUSTOM VIRTUAL LOCATION Want to know how the eclipse will look from another city? Drop a pin on the map to simulate the AR experience from that exact spot on Earth. The app clearly indicates whether you are viewing real GPS data or your custom simulated location. BUILT-IN MANUAL & MULTI-LANGUAGE Fully available in English and Spanish. Includes a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help you get the most out of all the augmented reality features. IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING This application is a digital simulation and visualization tool. It DOES NOT replace certified solar filters or eclipse glasses required for direct solar viewing. NEVER look directly at the Sun without proper, certified eye protection. Pointing your phone camera directly at the sun can damage its sensors; use the app with caution, preferably targeting the simulated path before the actual event takes place. OBSERVING OR RECORDING THE SUN WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTION CAN CAUSE SEVERE EYE DAMAGE. DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

Screenshots

Totality by Big Kid Science4 screens
Eclipse 2026 AR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Eclipse 2026 AR at every 10 days against Totality by Big Kid Science's every 6 weeks. Eclipse 2026 AR also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 17.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Totality by Big Kid Science ships an update every 6 weeks, Eclipse 2026 AR every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Totality by Big Kid Science versus Eclipse 2026 AR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterTotality by Big Kid ScienceEclipse 2026 AR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (70 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings70 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS17.614.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size91 MB24 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGerminate LLCLuis Alberto Menendez Fernandez

Bugs and requests

Totality by Big Kid Science

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • Cannot see percentage or time
  • App crashes on launch
  • Does not show location
  • Stopped working
  • Glitchy after updates
Show 1 more
  • Latest update causes crashes

Requested features

2 requests
  • App for lunar eclipses
  • Option to show standard map

Eclipse 2026 AR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Totality by Big Kid Science

No in-app purchases

None

Eclipse 2026 AR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Totality by Big Kid Science free?
Totality by Big Kid Science is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Eclipse 2026 AR free?
Eclipse 2026 AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Totality by Big Kid Science or Eclipse 2026 AR have ads?
Neither Totality by Big Kid Science nor Eclipse 2026 AR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Totality by Big Kid Science or Eclipse 2026 AR?
Totality by Big Kid Science ships an update every 6 weeks, and Eclipse 2026 AR every 10 days. Most recently, Totality by Big Kid Science was updated on October 24, 2026 and Eclipse 2026 AR on October 24, 2026.

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