# GlobeViewer vs GPlates

The clearest difference is rating: GlobeViewer at 3.4 against GPlates's 2.7. GlobeViewer also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). GPlates's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 11) and ads (none vs shown). On price, ratings volume and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. GlobeViewer sells 11 one-off in-app purchases. GPlates asks for nothing beyond the download.

GlobeViewer holds the better App Store score, 3.4 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 5 and 7 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 33% of GlobeViewer's written reviews are positive against 44% of GPlates's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

GlobeViewer ships an update every 6 weeks, GPlates every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on August 14, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | GlobeViewer | GPlates |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.4 (5 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globeviewer/id1394087613/reviews)** | [2.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gplates/id6447170583/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 5 | **7** |
| Positive reviews | 33.3% of reviews | **44.4% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 236 MB | 57 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [RAB-Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/543575684) | [Xiaodong Qin](https://appshunter.io/developer/1661896637) |

## What reviewers say

### GlobeViewer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globeviewer/id1394087613)

Explore Earth with a high-resolution 3D globe and topography maps. View surface, underwater, and topographical details, with real-time event overlays. Access extensive geographical data for offline use.

**Highlights:** Interactive 3D globe, High-resolution topography maps, Surface and underwater views, Real-time event overlays, Offline data caching, Extensive place names and geographical features

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 4K & Polar Regions | $0.99 | one-time |
| 4K & South America | $2.99 | one-time |
| 4K & Pacific | $2.99 | one-time |
| 4K & Japan/Korea/Taiwan | $2.99 | one-time |
| 8K & North America | $4.99 | one-time |
| 8K & Australia | $4.99 | one-time |
| 8K & China | $4.99 | one-time |
| 8K & Russia | $4.99 | one-time |
| 8K & Europe | $4.99 | one-time |
| 8K Pass | $8.99 | one-time |
| Professional Version | $14.99 | one-time |


### GPlates

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/gplates/id6447170583)

Explore Earth's geological history by reconstructing and visualizing spatial data through geological time. This tool offers an intuitive interface for students, teachers, researchers, and enthusiasts to understand our planet's evolution.

**Highlights:** Reconstruct spatial data, Visualize geological time, Intuitive interface, Explore Earth's history, Plate reconstruction software

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is GlobeViewer free?

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

### Is GPlates free?

GPlates is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, GlobeViewer or GPlates?

GlobeViewer is rated higher. GlobeViewer averages 3.4 out of 5 from 5 ratings, while GPlates averages 2.7 from 7 ratings.

### Do GlobeViewer or GPlates have ads?

GlobeViewer shows ads; GPlates does not.

### Which is updated more often, GlobeViewer or GPlates?

GlobeViewer ships an update every 6 weeks, and GPlates every 6 months. Most recently, GlobeViewer was updated on August 14, 2026 and GPlates on September 27, 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.*