# Interactive Solar System vs Smithsonian

The clearest difference is price: Smithsonian at Free against Interactive Solar System's $1.99. Interactive Solar System's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months). On ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Smithsonian is free to download; Interactive Solar System costs $1.99 up front. Smithsonian sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Interactive Solar System asks for nothing beyond the download.

Interactive Solar System ships an update fortnightly, Smithsonian every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Interactive Solar System | Smithsonian |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 52 MB | 285 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPad, Apple TV | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ventura Educational Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/371324172) | [PlayDate Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/652113715) |

## What reviewers say

### Interactive Solar System

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/interactive-solar-system/id1240878228)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smithsonian

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-planets/id6504839302)

Explore the solar system with interactive games and animations. Learn fascinating facts about planets, moons, and the asteroid belt. Designed for curious young minds to introduce astronomy basics.

**Highlights:** Fascinating facts about the solar system, Mini games like Space Winter Rush, Interactive activities, Educational animations, Read to Me text, Collect planet badges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Buy 5 Planets | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Interactive Solar System free?

Interactive Solar System costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smithsonian free?

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

### Do Interactive Solar System or Smithsonian have ads?

Neither Interactive Solar System nor Smithsonian shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Interactive Solar System or Smithsonian?

Interactive Solar System ships an update fortnightly, and Smithsonian every 3 months. Most recently, Interactive Solar System was updated on September 18, 2026 and Smithsonian on September 22, 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.*