Comparison

Exoplanet Explorer vs Celestial Simulation

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

Head to head
About

Exoplanet Explorer

Explore a vast catalog of over 6,000 confirmed exoplanets with detailed scientific data. Compare worlds, visualize habitable zones, and track new discoveries. Ideal for stargazers, students, educators, and researchers.

Highlights
  • 6,000+ confirmed exoplanets
  • Detailed scientific data
  • Advanced filtering and sorting
  • Planet comparison tool
  • Habitable zone analysis
  • Home screen widgets
  • Apple Watch companion app
Features
Read full description

Explore the universe of exoplanets — over 6,000 confirmed worlds orbiting distant stars, updated from leading scientific archives. Track new discoveries as they happen and dive into the data behind every planet. EXPLORE THE COSMOS Search, filter, and sort the complete catalogue of confirmed exoplanets. Find planets by discovery method, star type, orbital characteristics, or habitability potential. Every entry includes detailed scientific data from peer-reviewed sources. ATMOSPHERIC SPECTRA Browse JWST and Hubble transmission spectra for planets where atmospheric data is available. Toggle molecular overlays for CO2, CH4, H2O, CO and more to see which absorption features have been detected. 3D SYSTEM VIEW Step into a planetary system in 3D — see each planet's orbit around its host star with realistic shading and a visualisation of the habitable zone. On iPhone and iPad you can also place a system into your environment in AR. COMPARE WORLDS Analyze exoplanets side-by-side — or compare them with Solar System planets like Earth, Jupiter, and Mars. Compare sizes, masses, orbital periods, star properties, and habitability scores to understand what makes each world unique. HABITABLE ZONE VISUALIZATION See exactly where planets orbit within their star's habitable zone — the region where liquid water could exist. Identify potentially Earth-like worlds and understand the conditions for life beyond our solar system. FEATURES • 6,000+ confirmed exoplanets with detailed scientific data • Atmospheric spectra with molecular overlays • 3D system view with AR mode • Advanced filtering and sorting • Planet comparison tool with Solar System reference • Habitable zone analysis • Spotlight search with deep linking • Home screen widgets • Apple Watch companion app • Bookmark favorites with iCloud sync • Available on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro GO PREMIUM Enjoying the app? Premium takes it further — unlimited bookmarks, the full planet comparison tool, and additional widgets. A small yearly upgrade that makes a big difference. Whether you're a curious stargazer, student, educator, or researcher, Exoplanet Explorer puts the cosmos in your pocket. Terms of Use (EULA): https://the-exoplanets.space/eula/ Privacy Policy: https://the-exoplanets.space/privacy/

About

Celestial Simulation

Features
Read full description

Celestial Simulation Experience the universe as it truly moves. Celestial Simulation is a high-fidelity, physics-based app that lets you explore and understand celestial motion through real simulations—not animations or guesses. Every event is driven by time, location, and real celestial mechanics. From eclipses and planetary motion to lunar occultations and chaotic three-body dynamics, the app turns complex astronomy into intuitive, visual experiences. Observer-Based Simulation Your location matters. Set your observing position on Earth and watch how celestial events change with latitude, longitude, and time. Every simulation adapts instantly to your chosen place and moment. Solar System Geometry Explore the mechanics of the inner solar system: - Annular and hybrid solar eclipses with umbra and antumbra geometry - Planetary conjunctions and minimum angular separations - Mercury and Venus elongations for optimal visibility - Retrograde motion visualized over days and weeks - Transits of Mercury and Venus across the solar disk Most simulations are continuous and time-accurate. Lunar Occultations See how the Moon moves through the sky: - Occultations of bright stars and planets - Local and global visibility bands - Geometry that explains why an event is visible from certain locations Three-Body Dynamics Go beyond classical orbits and explore real gravitational complexity: - Circular Restricted Three-Body Problem (CR3BP) - Lagrange points L1–L5 with stability insights - Chaotic motion in non-rotating frames - Extreme sensitivity to initial conditions - These simulations reveal how real spaceflight dynamics and celestial chaos work. Special Focus: Total Solar Eclipse 2026 (Europe) A total solar eclipse will cross Europe in 2026 — a rare and unforgettable event. Celestial Simulation lets you explore the full path of totality, simulate eclipse geometry from different locations, and understand how timing and position affect what you will see. Use the simulation to: - Compare observing locations across Europe - Visualize eclipse paths and shadow motion - Plan where and when to experience totality Whether you are preparing a journey or simply exploring the mechanics behind the event, the app helps you understand why the eclipse unfolds the way it does. Built for Exploration - Interactive time control - Clean, focused visualizations - Designed for learners, enthusiasts, and curious minds - No clutter, no gimmicks—just the universe in motion Celestial Simulation is a pocket laboratory for understanding how the sky actually works. Whether you’re learning, teaching, or simply fascinated by celestial mechanics, this app lets you see the physics behind the beauty.

Screenshots

Exoplanet Explorer4 screens
Celestial Simulation4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Exoplanet Explorer at Free against Celestial Simulation's $3.99. Exoplanet Explorer also leads on device support (5 vs 2). Celestial Simulation's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ads and iOS requirement 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

Exoplanet Explorer is free to download; Celestial Simulation costs $3.99 up front. Exoplanet Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 3 months. Celestial Simulation asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Exoplanet Explorer versus Celestial Simulation: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterExoplanet ExplorerCelestial Simulation
PriceFree — better$3.99
Rating4.6 (70 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings70 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Vision Pro — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS17.6 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size169 MB88 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCarsten KnoblichDung Le

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Exoplanet Explorer

Subscriptions2
  • 3 months subscription7 Days trial$2.993 Months
  • 12 months subscription7 Days trial$6.991 Year
One-time2
  • Big supporting tip$2.99
  • Really big supporting tip$4.99
None

Celestial Simulation

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Exoplanet Explorer free?
Exoplanet Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Celestial Simulation free?
Celestial Simulation costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do Exoplanet Explorer or Celestial Simulation have ads?
Neither Exoplanet Explorer nor Celestial Simulation shows ads.

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