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.
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.
- 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
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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/
Eclipse 2026 AR
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Totality by Big Kid Science ships an update every 6 weeks, Eclipse 2026 AR every 10 days. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | Totality by Big Kid Science | Eclipse 2026 AR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (70 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 82.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 70 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | 14.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 91 MB | 24 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Germinate LLC | Luis 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
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- 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
Totality by Big Kid Science
No in-app purchases
Eclipse 2026 AR
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Totality by Big Kid Science free?
Is Eclipse 2026 AR free?
Do Totality by Big Kid Science or Eclipse 2026 AR have ads?
Which is updated more often, Totality by Big Kid Science or Eclipse 2026 AR?
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