# Solar Express vs Stars and Planets Simulator

Solar Express and Stars and Planets Simulator both sit at 4.2 stars, but that hides the real split: 94% of Stars and Planets Simulator's written reviews are positive against 0% of Solar Express's. Solar Express's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Stars and Planets Simulator sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Solar Express asks for nothing beyond the download.

Stars and Planets Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 16 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of Solar Express's written reviews are positive against 94% of Stars and Planets Simulator's.

Solar Express ships an update weekly, Stars and Planets Simulator every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Solar Express | Stars and Planets Simulator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.2 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-express/id1503449353/reviews) | **[4.4 (16 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stars-and-planets-simulator/id6778573571/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **16** |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | **93.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Weekly** | Every 10 days |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 39 MB | 672 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.2** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Gilman Tolle](https://appshunter.io/developer/944871128) | [Andrei Nistorescu](https://appshunter.io/developer/1048905386) |

## What reviewers say

### Solar Express

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-express/id1503449353)

Embark on a realistic yet casual spaceflight simulation. Explore the solar system, dock with stations, and perform powered landings on celestial bodies. Deliver supplies across planets and moons with intuitive controls.

**Highlights:** Realistic orbital mechanics, Solar system exploration, Space station docking, Powered landings, Supply delivery missions, Heads-up display navigation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Stars and Planets Simulator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stars-and-planets-simulator/id6778573571)

Design and explore your own universe, from crafting stars and planets to piloting a customizable spaceship. Walk the surfaces of your creations and dive into the atmospheres of gas giants.

**Highlights:** Create custom stars and celestial bodies, Design terrestrial and gas giant planets, Pilot customizable spaceships, Explore created planets, Walk on planet surfaces, Explore gas giant atmospheres

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads | $1.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Solar Express free?

Solar Express is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Stars and Planets Simulator free?

Stars and Planets Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Solar Express or Stars and Planets Simulator?

Stars and Planets Simulator is rated higher. Solar Express averages 4.2 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Stars and Planets Simulator averages 4.4 from 16 ratings.

### Do Solar Express or Stars and Planets Simulator have ads?

Stars and Planets Simulator shows ads; Solar Express does not.

### Which is updated more often, Solar Express or Stars and Planets Simulator?

Solar Express ships an update weekly, and Stars and Planets Simulator every 10 days. Most recently, Solar Express was updated on November 3, 2026 and Stars and Planets Simulator on November 5, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*