JMARS AR Viewer vs Solar Explorer 3D
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
JMARS AR Viewer
Explore planetary surfaces in augmented reality using immersive 3D terrain models. Access datasets for celestial bodies like the Moon, Mars, and Earth. Prepare custom scenes in the desktop version for an enhanced AR experience.
- Augmented Reality exploration
- 3D terrain visualization
- Access to planetary datasets
- Custom scene preparation
- Moon, Mars, Earth data
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Explore planetary terrains in immersive Augmented Reality. Prepare custom 3D terrain scenes in the free desktop-based JMARS app. If you can see it in JMARS you can see it in AR! JMARS provides easy access to datasets for many planetary bodies including but not limited to the Moon, Mercury, Earth, Mars.
Solar Explorer 3D
Explore the cosmos with a realistic 3D simulation of the Solar System. Witness celestial bodies, spacecraft, and their movements with detailed surface views and mission replays. Ideal for astronomy enthusiasts and educators.
- Realistic 3D Solar System simulation
- Detailed celestial body and spacecraft models
- Surface exploration and landing views
- Time acceleration for observing motion
- Mission replay functionality
- Real-time astronomical data display
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Embark on an immersive journey through the solar system! Solar Explorer brings the solar system to life with a stunning 3D simulation based on real astronomical data, featuring 60+ celestial bodies and spacecraft. Experience the grandeur and mysteries of the universe in the palm of your hand. Key Features • Realistic Simulation – Explore the orbits of celestial bodies and spacecraft, along with the rotation of planets and moons, in an immersive 3D simulation. • Close-Up View – Observe surfaces and rotation up close, follow moons around their parent planets, and examine detailed 3D spacecraft models. • Landing View – View a realistic starry sky and the Milky Way from selected surface locations on different celestial bodies. • Time Acceleration – Speed up time or run it backward to explore how celestial bodies and spacecraft move. • Mission Replay – Replay selected space missions with trajectory overviews and close-ups of key events. • Surface Features – Zoom in to discover surface features and place names on the Moon, Mars, and other celestial bodies. Professional-Grade Experience • Planet, moon, and spacecraft positions are calculated using astronomical data and celestial mechanics, with information panel data updated to match the simulation time. • Inspect high-resolution surface textures up close and discover the varied landscapes of planets and moons. • Examine detailed 3D spacecraft models, including all five probes that have traveled beyond Neptune’s orbit, and track their speed and distance from Earth as simulation time changes. • Discover historic landing sites on the Moon, Mars, Venus, and other worlds, with details about landers and surface features. • Landing view uses celestial mechanics and viewing geometry to recreate the local sky and celestial motion, reflecting effects such as the Moon’s tidal locking and Venus’s retrograde rotation. • The Earth-Moon view extends to the Sun-Earth Lagrange points L1 and L2, with orbital paths for space telescopes such as JWST, Roman, and Euclid. • Enjoy detailed planetary rings, the Sun’s corona and glow, and sweeping views of the asteroid belt and Kuiper belt, along with shadows and transits. Intuitive Controls • Tap a celestial body or its name label to enter close-up view, or browse celestial bodies and spacecraft in the catalog. • Drag with one finger to rotate the view, and pinch with two fingers to zoom. • In close-up view, use the location picker to choose a landing viewpoint. On Earth, you can also use your current location. • Adjust the speed and direction of time in orbit view, close-up view, and landing view to observe rotation and orbital motion. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast, an educator, or a curious explorer, Solar Explorer opens a gateway to the mysteries of the universe. Download now and begin your space adventure!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: JMARS AR Viewer at 5.0 against Solar Explorer 3D's 4.1. JMARS AR Viewer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). Solar Explorer 3D's advantage is ratings volume (22 vs 2). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. Solar Explorer 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. JMARS AR Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.
JMARS AR Viewer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solar Explorer 3D has 22 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.
JMARS AR Viewer ships an update monthly, Solar Explorer 3D every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 12, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | JMARS AR Viewer | Solar Explorer 3D |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better | 4.1 (22 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 2 | 22 — better |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 272 MB | 835 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Robert Likamwa | Shenzhen Qizhuan Technology Co., Ltd. |
Customer experience
JMARS AR Viewer
Solar Explorer 3D
In-app purchases
JMARS AR Viewer
No in-app purchases
Solar Explorer 3D
- Premium Edition$3.99
Questions
Is JMARS AR Viewer free?
Is Solar Explorer 3D free?
Which has better reviews, JMARS AR Viewer or Solar Explorer 3D?
Do JMARS AR Viewer or Solar Explorer 3D have ads?
Which is updated more often, JMARS AR Viewer or Solar Explorer 3D?
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