AR Orbits vs Pocket Planets
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AR Orbits
Explore the solar system and understand satellite mechanics through augmented reality. This app simplifies complex astrophysics concepts, allowing users to create and plot their own orbits, making rocket science accessible for learning and homework.
- Augmented reality exploration
- Satellite mechanics simulation
- Orbit plotting and creation
- Astrophysics homework assistance
- Solar system discovery
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Have you ever wondered how satellites work? The phone or tablet you’re holding right now is connected to the internet via satellites, which help you navigate your car, track the weather, and discover new and exciting things about the solar system we live in. With AR Orbits, anyone can become a rocket scientist with the tap of a button. Learn how to plot and create your own orbits, or use the app to help you with your astrophysics homework. Explore a world of physics with AR Orbits.
Pocket Planets
Explore our solar system with detailed information on planets, moons, and astronauts. Track who is currently in space and receive notifications for new launches. Access NASA images and compare celestial body characteristics.
- Detailed planet and moon data
- Astronaut information and missions
- Real-time space occupancy
- Launch notifications
- NASA image gallery
- Celestial body comparisons
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Pocket Planets gives you all the information you need about our solar system and human activity in space. Learn more about all 565 astronauts who been to space. What was their mission? How long had they been up there? See who is in space now! Get notified when somebody goes into space. Get up to date information about every planet and moon in the solar system. Including: - Physical characteristics: mass, radius, density, gravity, escape velocity - Orbital characteristics: real-time distance from the Sun and Earth, orbital period, orbital speed, eccentricity, apsis, periapsis, visualise orbit - Atmosphere: pressure, atmospheric composition - Images from Nasa - Moons: compare their size and distance
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: AR Orbits at none against Pocket Planets's shown. AR Orbits also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). Pocket Planets's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 18 months). On price, ratings volume, in-app purchases 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AR Orbits holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 11 and 22 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of AR Orbits's written reviews are positive against 67% of Pocket Planets's.
AR Orbits ships an update every 18 months, Pocket Planets every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AR Orbits | Pocket Planets |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (11 ratings) — better | 4.6 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 11 | 22 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 18 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 58 MB | 66 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Turner Thornberry | Ad Lunam Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag |
Customer experience
AR Orbits
Pocket Planets
In-app purchases
AR Orbits
No in-app purchases
Pocket Planets
No in-app purchases
