# AR Solar System vs Smithsonian

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Smithsonian at 100% against AR Solar System's 0%. Smithsonian also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (every 3 months vs every 83 months). AR Solar System's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Smithsonian is free to download; AR Solar System costs $0.99 up front. Smithsonian sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. AR Solar System asks for nothing beyond the download.

AR Solar System ships an update every 83 months, Smithsonian every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AR Solar System | Smithsonian |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $0.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[1.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ar-solar-system-ar-planets/id1343139477/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 83 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 5 MB | 285 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 | **13.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mustafa Alpay](https://appshunter.io/developer/1018612630) | [PlayDate Digital Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/652113715) |

## What reviewers say

### AR Solar System

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ar-solar-system-ar-planets/id1343139477)

Explore the solar system with augmented reality. View planets, toggle labels and orbits, and manipulate time to observe celestial movements. This educational tool overlays celestial objects onto your real-world environment.

**Highlights:** Augmented Reality planets, Toggle planet labels, Toggle planet orbits, Speed up and rewind time, Overlay celestial objects

**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 AR Solar System free?

AR Solar System costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smithsonian free?

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

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

Neither AR Solar System nor Smithsonian shows ads.

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

AR Solar System ships an update every 83 months, and Smithsonian every 3 months. Most recently, AR Solar System was updated on November 2, 2026 and Smithsonian on October 9, 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.*