Comparison

ARPlanets 2 vs GowanusAR

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

Head to head
About

ARPlanets 2

Explore the augmented reality Solar System with interactive 3D models and intuitive gestures. Learn basic and advanced astronomy concepts through engaging AR lessons.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality Solar System exploration
  • Interactive 3D model manipulation
  • Discover celestial body details
  • AR-based astronomy lessons
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

Introducing ARPlanets 2! Completely rewritten from scratch to offer the ultimate user experience this app will bring the entire augmented reality Solar System into your pocket! The AR user experience is of the highest level with total control of the models thanks to intuitive gestures. The new great AR Lessons section will teach you with nice lessons in augmented reality basic astronomy concepts such as Kepler's Laws up to advanced notions such as differential photometry. Learning has never been so beautiful! -> Main features - User friendly user interface aimed at offering the maximum user experience - Completely manipulate 3D models thanks to very simple gestures. - Discover the names of the most interesting areas of the Moon, Mars and Jupiter simply by getting closer with your phone! - Learn notions of basic astronomy in augmented reality such as the Earth-Moon system and Kepler's Laws up to advanced topics such as differential photometry thanks to the AR Lessons section! Learning has never been so beautiful!

About

GowanusAR

Experience the history of Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal through an immersive augmented reality application. Discover stories, sounds, and speculative futures embedded in the landscape as you explore the neighborhood.

Highlights
  • Augmented Reality Navigation
  • Immersive Spatial Audio
  • Interactive Storytelling
  • Speculative Histories
  • Location-based AR experiences
Features
Read full description

GowanusAR is an immersive augmented reality (AR) experience that brings the layered histories of Brooklyn’s Gowanus Canal to life. Walk the streets and uncover voices, stories, and sounds embedded in the land. In our debut scene, you’ll encounter speculative futures, industrial pasts, and sonic portals, all triggered by your location. Features: Augmented Reality Navigation: Explore a site-specific scene designed to unfold as you move through the Gowanus neighborhood. Immersive Audio: Spatial soundscapes respond to your position, layering narration, ambiance, and historical textures. Interactive Storytelling: Engage with dynamic AR elements that reveal hidden aspects of Gowanus’ environmental and cultural evolution. Speculative Histories: Encounter narrative fragments that blur the boundaries between past, present, and possible futures. This is just the beginning. More scenes and voices will be released soon. Headphones recommended. Location access required.

Screenshots

ARPlanets 23 screens
GowanusAR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: GowanusAR at 5.0 against ARPlanets 2's 3.3. GowanusAR also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). ARPlanets 2's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 5 months) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). On price, 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. ARPlanets 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. GowanusAR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

GowanusAR holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ARPlanets 2 has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ARPlanets 2 ships an update every 6 weeks, GowanusAR every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ARPlanets 2 versus GowanusAR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterARPlanets 2GowanusAR
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (15 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings15 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size408 MB1.2 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniele CitiSarah Drury

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ARPlanets 2

One-time1
  • Full Access AR$1.99
None

GowanusAR

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ARPlanets 2 free?
ARPlanets 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is GowanusAR free?
GowanusAR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ARPlanets 2 or GowanusAR?
GowanusAR is rated higher. ARPlanets 2 averages 3.3 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while GowanusAR averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ARPlanets 2 or GowanusAR have ads?
Neither ARPlanets 2 nor GowanusAR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ARPlanets 2 or GowanusAR?
ARPlanets 2 ships an update every 6 weeks, and GowanusAR every 5 months. Most recently, ARPlanets 2 was updated on November 2, 2026 and GowanusAR on October 6, 2026.

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