Comparison

Orbits vs Solar Explorer 3D

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

Head to head
About

Orbits

Explore planets and moons in stunning detail with high-resolution 3D maps and images. Access comprehensive scientific data on geology and orbits, alongside in-depth articles and curated resources for a complete understanding of our solar system.

Highlights
  • 3D high-resolution planet and moon maps
  • Detailed geology and orbit information
  • High-resolution images with captions
  • In-depth articles on planets and moons
  • Curated external information sources
Features
Read full description

View the planets in incredible detail with Orbits. This app serves not only as a statistical reference with information about geology and orbit, but also a visual guide with pictures of the planets and their moons. Orbits also provides lengthy curated articles and links to other sources of information about planets and their moons. Features: - 3D, high resolution maps of the planets and their moons - Detailed scientific information about the geology and orbit of the planets - Curated, high resolution images and captions to see planets up close - Detailed articles for every planet and moon in the solar system

About

Solar Explorer 3D

Explore the cosmos with a realistic 3D simulation of the Solar System. Witness celestial bodies, spacecraft, and their movements with detailed surface views and mission replays. Ideal for astronomy enthusiasts and educators.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D Solar System simulation
  • Detailed celestial body and spacecraft models
  • Surface exploration and landing views
  • Time acceleration for observing motion
  • Mission replay functionality
  • Real-time astronomical data display
Features
Read full description

Embark on an immersive journey through the solar system! Solar Explorer brings the solar system to life with a stunning 3D simulation based on real astronomical data, featuring 60+ celestial bodies and spacecraft. Experience the grandeur and mysteries of the universe in the palm of your hand. Key Features • Realistic Simulation – Explore the orbits of celestial bodies and spacecraft, along with the rotation of planets and moons, in an immersive 3D simulation. • Close-Up View – Observe surfaces and rotation up close, follow moons around their parent planets, and examine detailed 3D spacecraft models. • Landing View – View a realistic starry sky and the Milky Way from selected surface locations on different celestial bodies. • Time Acceleration – Speed up time or run it backward to explore how celestial bodies and spacecraft move. • Mission Replay – Replay selected space missions with trajectory overviews and close-ups of key events. • Surface Features – Zoom in to discover surface features and place names on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Professional-Grade Experience • Planet, moon, and spacecraft positions are calculated using astronomical data and celestial mechanics, with information panel data updated to match the simulation time. • Inspect high-resolution surface textures up close and discover the varied landscapes of planets and moons. • Examine detailed 3D spacecraft models, including all five probes that have traveled beyond Neptune’s orbit, and track their speed and distance from Earth as simulation time changes. • Discover historic landing sites on the Moon, Mars, Venus, and other worlds, with details about landers and surface features. • Landing view uses celestial mechanics and viewing geometry to recreate the local sky and celestial motion, reflecting effects such as the Moon’s tidal locking and Venus’s retrograde rotation. • The Earth-Moon view extends to the Sun-Earth Lagrange points L1 and L2, with orbital paths for space telescopes such as JWST, Roman, and Euclid. • Enjoy detailed planetary rings, the Sun’s corona and glow, and sweeping views of the asteroid belt and Kuiper belt, along with shadows and transits. Intuitive Controls • Tap a celestial body or its name label to enter close-up view, or browse celestial bodies and spacecraft in the catalog. • Drag with one finger to rotate the view, and pinch with two fingers to zoom. • In close-up view, use the location picker to choose a landing viewpoint. On Earth, you can also use your current location. • Adjust the speed and direction of time in orbit view, close-up view, and landing view to observe rotation and orbital motion. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast, an educator, or a curious explorer, Solar Explorer opens a gateway to the mysteries of the universe. Download now and begin your space adventure!

Screenshots

Orbits4 screens
Solar Explorer 3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Orbits at none against Solar Explorer 3D's 1. Orbits also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.2) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). Solar Explorer 3D's advantage is ratings volume (24 vs 7). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Solar Explorer 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Orbits asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Orbits holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 24 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Orbits versus Solar Explorer 3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbitsSolar Explorer 3D
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (7 ratings) — better4.2 (24 ratings)
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings724 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS10.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size251 MB833 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrandon SlaghtShenzhen Qizhuan Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Orbits

All ratings7 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

Solar Explorer 3D

All ratings24 ratings
Positive79.2%
Neutral4.2%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Orbits

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Solar Explorer 3D

One-time1
  • Premium Edition$3.99

Questions

Is Orbits free?
Orbits is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Solar Explorer 3D free?
Solar Explorer 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Orbits or Solar Explorer 3D?
Orbits is rated higher. Orbits averages 4.6 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while Solar Explorer 3D averages 4.2 from 24 ratings.
Do Orbits or Solar Explorer 3D have ads?
Neither Orbits nor Solar Explorer 3D shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbits or Solar Explorer 3D?
Orbits ships an update every 2 weeks, and Solar Explorer 3D every 2 weeks. Most recently, Orbits was updated on September 24, 2026 and Solar Explorer 3D on October 12, 2026.

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