Comparison

Space Race AR vs Pocket Rocket

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

Head to head
About

Space Race AR

Experience the history of space travel through augmented reality. This app brings an accompanying book to life with interactive videos and 3D models of spacecraft, viewable on compatible devices.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality space travel history
  • Interactive archive videos
  • 3D models of iconic space vehicles
  • View spacecraft from all angles
  • Links to purchase accompanying book
Read full description

Bring the history of space travel to life! Carlton's book Space Race tells the complete story of space travel, from the very first rockets to future missions to Mars and beyond. This app transforms the book into a unique digital experience, fuelled by the latest augmented reality technology: - Activate amazing archive videos of spaceflight that appear to play on the pages of the book. - Trigger 3D models of iconic space vehicles including the Appollo Moon Lander and the Curiosity rover, and view them from every angle with your device. How it works: Once you press the play button on the app’s opening screen, simply look at the interactive pages of your Space Race book through the app. Look out for pages with interactive boxes marked 'REPLAY HISTORY HERE!' and 'SEE IT IN 3D!'. If you don’t already have the book, tap the play button on the app's opening screen and wait for 20 seconds to get a link to a retail page outside the app where the book can be purchased. This free app is available to anyone with a compatible smartphone or tablet (iPhone 5 or above, iPad 2 or above, iPod Touch 5th Gen. or above - all running iOS 8.0 or above).

About

Pocket Rocket

Stay informed about all upcoming SpaceX rocket launches with real-time updates and reminders. View rocket models, livestream launches, and interact with rockets in AR. Never miss a historic moment in space exploration.

Highlights
  • Upcoming launch reminders
  • Launch date countdowns
  • Livestream launches
  • 3D and AR rocket models
  • Detailed launch updates
  • Historical launch viewing
Features
Read full description

Pocket Rocket keeps track of all upcoming SpaceX rocket launches, and reminds you of when they're happening. Launch dates change constantly, so we act as your launch concierge to make sure you never miss out on witnessing history.  With this app, you can view existing and future rocket models, receive critical updates about launches, livestream new launches, watch each historical launch, and see your favorite rocket in Augmented Reality. Base Features for All Users: - Day-Of Reminder notification about every Upcoming Launch. - Full access to all features of the app! What you see is what you get. - See dates and countdowns for each launch, so you know exactly when they will happen. - Interact with your favorite rockets in a 3D view, and in AR. - Livestream every launch directly from the app! Subscription Tiers: Pocket Rocket Plus - All the Base features. - Receive Launch Updates and Detailed Reminders. - Updates for when a launch date changes just before a launch is expected to happen. - Reminders for each upcoming launch, from T - 1 Week, T - 24 Hrs/12 Hrs (it varies), T - 1 Hr, and T - 5 Minutes. Pocket Rocket Silver - All the Base features. - All Launch Updates and Reminders - Support the development of the app. This helps us continue building Pocket Rocket full-time. - A Silver Decal in your app to display your level of support. - Exclusive future features to further display your level of support! Pocket Rocket Gold - All the Base features. - All Launch Updates and Reminders - Support the development of the app. - A Gold Decal in your app to display your level of support. - Exclusive future features to further display your level of support! We hope you'll love it. (Disclaimer: This is app is not affiliated with SpaceX or its partners or customers)

Screenshots

Space Race AR4 screens
Pocket Rocket4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pocket Rocket at 4.5 against Space Race AR's 4.0. Pocket Rocket also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (521 vs 2). Space Race AR's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 26.0). 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. Pocket Rocket sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Space Race AR asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pocket Rocket holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Pocket Rocket has 521 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Space Race AR ships an update every 11 months, Pocket Rocket every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Space Race AR versus Pocket Rocket: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSpace Race ARPocket Rocket
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (2 ratings)4.5 (521 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—52.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2521 — better
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Vision Pro
Requires iOS7.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size300 MB702 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarlton Books LimitedVoyager Space Systems, LLC

Customer experience

Space Race AR

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

Pocket Rocket

All ratings521 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral3.6%
Negative7.3%
Written reviews100 reviews
Positive52.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative36.0%

Bugs and requests

Space Race AR

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Pocket Rocket

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • AR feature crashes on launch
  • Incorrect or outdated launch information
  • Unreliable push notifications

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for other launch providers beyond SpaceX
  • Improve reliability and accuracy of launch notifications
  • Provide a 1:1 scale mode for AR rockets
  • Develop an iPad-optimized version of the app

In-app purchases

None

Space Race AR

No in-app purchases

6 purchases

Pocket Rocket

Subscriptions6
  • Pocket Rocket Plus1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Pocket Rocket Silver1 Month trial$4.991 Month
  • Pocket Rocket Gold1 Month trial$9.991 Month
Show 3 more
  • Pocket Rocket Plus (Yearly)$29.991 Year
  • Pocket Rocket Silver (Yearly)$44.991 Year
  • Pocket Rocket Gold (Yearly)$74.991 Year

Questions

Is Space Race AR free?
Space Race AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Pocket Rocket free?
Pocket Rocket is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Space Race AR or Pocket Rocket?
Pocket Rocket is rated higher. Space Race AR averages 4.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Pocket Rocket averages 4.5 from 521 ratings.
Do Space Race AR or Pocket Rocket have ads?
Neither Space Race AR nor Pocket Rocket shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Space Race AR or Pocket Rocket?
Space Race AR ships an update every 11 months, and Pocket Rocket every 2 months. Most recently, Space Race AR was updated on October 2, 2026 and Pocket Rocket on October 21, 2026.

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