# The Solar System vs DIY Solar System

The clearest difference is price: DIY Solar System at Free against The Solar System's $1.99. DIY Solar System also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 29 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

DIY Solar System is free to download; The Solar System costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

The Solar System ships an update every 29 months, DIY Solar System every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | The Solar System | DIY Solar System |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (17 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/diy-solar-system/id1644242890/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **17** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 29 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 112 MB | 180 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ventura Educational Systems](https://appshunter.io/developer/371324172) | [The Lawrence Hall of Science](https://appshunter.io/developer/462994550) |

## What reviewers say

### The Solar System

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/the-solar-system-ar/id1322087991)

**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 The Solar System free?

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

### Is DIY Solar System free?

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

### Do The Solar System or DIY Solar System have ads?

Neither The Solar System nor DIY Solar System shows ads.

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

The Solar System ships an update every 29 months, and DIY Solar System every 2 months. Most recently, The Solar System was updated on November 2, 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.*