Comparison

ISS Explorer vs Locate ISS

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

Locate ISS

Features
Read full description

Space Station Tracker & News Track the International Space Station in real-time and stay updated with the latest space news. View the ISS's exact location on an interactive map as it orbits Earth at 17,500 mph, with coordinates updated every five seconds. Browse current space articles from NASA, SpaceX, and major space agencies.

Screenshots

ISS Explorer4 screens
Locate ISS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is device support: ISS Explorer at 3 against Locate ISS's 1. ISS Explorer also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.2). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
ISS Explorer versus Locate ISS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterISS ExplorerLocate ISS
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (16 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings16 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 10 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS13.0 — better18.2
Further details — not scored
Size747 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNASARobert Secrest

In-app purchases

None

ISS Explorer

No in-app purchases

None

Locate ISS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ISS Explorer free?
ISS Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Locate ISS free?
Locate ISS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ISS Explorer or Locate ISS have ads?
Neither ISS Explorer nor Locate ISS shows ads.

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