Comparison

ISS Explorer vs Zenith

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

Head to head
About

ISS Explorer

Explore a detailed 3D model of the International Space Station. Rotate, zoom, and select individual components to learn about their function and systems. Organize your view by turning parts and labels on or off.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D ISS model
  • Rotate and zoom functionality
  • Selectable parts with isolation
  • Detailed information on components
  • Hierarchical part organization
  • Toggle parts and labels
Features
Read full description

The ISS explorer is an interactive tool for exploring the parts and pieces of the International Space Station (ISS). The application allows the user to view a 3D model of the ISS, rotate it, zoom into it, and select different parts and pieces. When the application starts, you can see a view of the entire ISS with category labels. Tabs are available on the left hand side of the screen which allow you access to information, the hierarchy, settings and application information. From this point, you can zoom into the station, revealing more labels of visible parts. The station can also be rotated to view from different angles. If a part is selected, the part is isolated so that you can focus on the specific piece. The information tab shows information about the currently isolated part. Inside the hierarchy tab, you can turn parts on or off, turn labels for parts on or off, turn parts transparent, or select a part to focus on. The parts are organized in a hierarchy to allow for systems to be described and displayed. This includes things such as truss, modules, and external platforms. The Information tab shows information about the current isolated part, system, or the full ISS if the entire station is shown.

About

Zenith

Explore Earth in a 3D simulation and track the International Space Station's real-time orbit. Experience a rotating planet with dynamic soundscapes and see the current number of astronauts on board.

Highlights
  • 3D Earth simulation
  • Real-time ISS orbit tracking
  • Live astronaut count
  • Dynamic soundscapes
  • Earth rotation view
Features
Read full description

Zenith shows the International Space Station live on a 3D globe, and tells you when to see it with your own eyes. • Live position, altitude, speed, day or night — updated every 5 seconds • The camera follows the station; spin the Earth with a finger • Upcoming visible passes over you: time, direction, height • A free alert before the best pass of the week • The crew on board: photos, agencies, days in orbit • Ambient space soundscape ZENITH+ • An alert before every visible pass • Full 10-day forecast • Choose your alert time: 2, 5, 10 or 15 minutes • Predicted orbit on the globe Zenith+ is available as a monthly or yearly subscription (7-day free trial on yearly), or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period; manage them in Settings › Apple ID › Subscriptions. Your location stays on your iPhone. No ads. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

ISS Explorer4 screens
Zenith4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ratings volume: ISS Explorer at 16 against Zenith's 5. ISS Explorer also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for ISS Explorer against 4.8 for Zenith. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 16 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ISS Explorer ships an update every 10 months, Zenith every 13 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ISS Explorer versus Zenith: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterISS ExplorerZenith
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (16 ratings) — better4.8 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 10 months — betterEvery 13 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size747 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNASAAurelien Grifasi

In-app purchases

None

ISS Explorer

No in-app purchases

None

Zenith

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ISS Explorer free?
ISS Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Zenith free?
Zenith is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ISS Explorer or Zenith?
ISS Explorer is rated higher. ISS Explorer averages 4.9 out of 5 from 16 ratings, while Zenith averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do ISS Explorer or Zenith have ads?
Neither ISS Explorer nor Zenith shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ISS Explorer or Zenith?
ISS Explorer ships an update every 10 months, and Zenith every 13 months. Most recently, ISS Explorer was updated on October 24, 2026 and Zenith on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons