Comparison

Planets AR vs Code of the Universe

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

Head to head
About

Planets AR

Explore the solar system in augmented reality, bringing planets and their orbits to life. Discover detailed facts and high-definition surface images for each celestial body. Witness the dynamic movement of planets rotating and revolving around the sun.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality solar system visualization
  • Planet orbits and rotation simulation
  • Detailed planet facts
  • High-definition planet surface images
  • Full solar system view
Read full description

Explore the solar system in 3D, or place the planets in your room with augmented reality. Discover what makes each world different through guided activities, comparisons and curated facts. • Explore the Sun, eight planets, Earth's Moon and Pluto • Discover facts about orbits, surfaces, atmospheres and moons • Compare the size and distance of two worlds • Ask questions about a world on supported devices • Enjoy the 3D viewer with or without augmented reality Start exploring for free. Unlock all worlds and features with a one-time purchase. No subscription. Fact and comparison sources: Sun: https://science.nasa.gov/sun/facts/ Mercury: https://science.nasa.gov/mercury/facts/ Venus: https://science.nasa.gov/venus/venus-facts/ Earth: https://science.nasa.gov/earth/facts/ Moon: https://science.nasa.gov/moon/facts/ Mars: https://science.nasa.gov/mars/facts/ Jupiter: https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter/jupiter-facts/ Saturn: https://science.nasa.gov/saturn/facts/ Uranus: https://science.nasa.gov/uranus/facts/ Neptune: https://science.nasa.gov/neptune/neptune-facts/ Pluto: https://science.nasa.gov/dwarf-planets/pluto/facts/ Planet measurements: https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/planetary/factsheet/ Enceladus: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/cassini/science/enceladus/ Challenger Deep: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacific-islands/habitat-conservation/marianas-trench-marine-national-monument

About

Code of the Universe

Features
Read full description

An augmented reality companion app for the travelling Code of the Universe Exhibit. You are able to use this app anywhere, but are able to access exclusive content at the exhibit itself. Take a step into the unknown with the institutions behind the Future Circular Collider, and transform the world around you. Through a series of augmented reality experiences explore the FCC and create your own personal particle collision you can share with others.

Screenshots

Planets AR4 screens
Code of the Universe4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Code of the Universe at none against Planets AR's 1. Code of the Universe also leads on update cadence (every 2 months vs every 40 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). 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. Planets AR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Code of the Universe asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Planets AR ships an update every 40 months, Code of the Universe every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Planets AR versus Code of the Universe: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlanets ARCode of the Universe
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (78 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews85.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings78 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 40 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB609 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDarren TraceyPolar Media

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Planets AR

One-time1
  • Unlock all features$4.99
None

Code of the Universe

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Planets AR free?
Planets AR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Code of the Universe free?
Code of the Universe is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Planets AR or Code of the Universe have ads?
Neither Planets AR nor Code of the Universe shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Planets AR or Code of the Universe?
Planets AR ships an update every 40 months, and Code of the Universe every 2 months. Most recently, Planets AR was updated on November 7, 2026 and Code of the Universe on October 27, 2026.

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