# Pocket AR Solar vs DIY Solar System

The clearest difference is rating: Pocket AR Solar at 5.0 against DIY Solar System's 4.5. Pocket AR Solar also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). DIY Solar System's advantage is ratings volume (17 vs 3). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Pocket AR Solar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DIY Solar System has 17 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Pocket AR Solar ships an update every 3 weeks, DIY Solar System every 2 months. Both last shipped on November 3, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Pocket AR Solar | DIY Solar System |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-ar-solar/id1293980455/reviews)** | [4.5 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-solar-system/id1644242890/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **17** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 33 MB | 180 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hung-Yao Chen](https://appshunter.io/developer/318535299) | [The Lawrence Hall of Science](https://appshunter.io/developer/462994550) |

## What reviewers say

### Pocket AR Solar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-ar-solar/id1293980455)

Explore a personal solar system in augmented reality. Planets rotate at speeds based on real-world data, and you can tap on them to learn their names. Experience the cosmos like never before.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality solar system, Interactive planet rotation, Planet identification on touch, Educational content based on Wiki data

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### DIY Solar System

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-solar-system/id1644242890)

Explore the solar system with interactive activities and an augmented reality planet walk. Learn about space travel, design a moon base, and identify celestial objects. Developed by leading science institutions, this app makes learning about space engaging for families and educators.

**Highlights:** Interactive space activities, Augmented reality planet walk, Design a moon base, Grow a space garden, Control a Mars rover, In or Out space game, NASA imagery

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Pocket AR Solar free?

Pocket AR Solar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is DIY Solar System free?

DIY Solar System is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Pocket AR Solar or DIY Solar System?

Pocket AR Solar is rated higher. Pocket AR Solar averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while DIY Solar System averages 4.5 from 17 ratings.

### Do Pocket AR Solar or DIY Solar System have ads?

Neither Pocket AR Solar nor DIY Solar System shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Pocket AR Solar or DIY Solar System?

Pocket AR Solar ships an update every 3 weeks, and DIY Solar System every 2 months. Most recently, Pocket AR Solar was updated on November 3, 2026 and DIY Solar System on November 3, 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.*