Comparison

Intergalactic Solar System vs Solar Explorer 3D

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

Head to head
About

Intergalactic Solar System

Explore planets, moons, and countries in this space simulator mini-game. Learn astronomy and geography aligned with next-generation science standards. Discover the Milky Way galaxy and assess your knowledge through engaging gameplay.

Highlights
  • Planet and moon exploration
  • Country geography learning
  • Milky Way galaxy view
  • Common Core aligned curriculum
  • Proficiency assessment
  • Engaging gameplay levels
Features
Read full description

Intergalactic Education introduces Intergalactic Solar System, a mini-game that teaches about planets, moons, and countries. This space simulator lets you explore celestial bodies from the viewpoint of space itself. The latest edition adds the Milky Way as an observable galaxy. Intergalactic Solar System uses next generation science standards (Common Core aligned) astronomy and geography. (Follows standards ESS1.A, ESS1.B, and CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RH.6-8.7) Try Intergalactic Solar System! Assess proficiency in Solar System knowledge according to educational standards. Rewarding levels of gameplay maintain engagement. You will forget you were doing astronomy and geography!

About

Solar Explorer 3D

Explore the solar system with a realistic 3D simulation. Discover celestial bodies, spacecraft, and surface features with detailed models and orbital mechanics. Compare sizes, replay missions, and view the universe from different perspectives.

Highlights
  • Realistic 3D solar system simulation
  • Detailed celestial body and spacecraft models
  • Size comparison of planets and moons
  • Surface feature exploration
  • Mission replay functionality
  • Time acceleration and reversal
Features
Read full description

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. • Size Comparison – Compare the Sun, planets, dwarf planets, and major moons side by side at true scale to appreciate the differences in size between celestial bodies. • 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 target landing site. 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

Intergalactic Solar System3 screens
Solar Explorer 3D4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Solar Explorer 3D at free against Intergalactic Solar System's free with in-app purchases. Solar Explorer 3D also leads on rating (4.3 vs 4.0). Intergalactic Solar System's advantage is review sentiment (70% vs 50%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. Intergalactic Solar System sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Solar Explorer 3D sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Solar Explorer 3D holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 26 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 70% of Intergalactic Solar System's written reviews are positive against 50% of Solar Explorer 3D's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Intergalactic Solar System ships an update monthly, Solar Explorer 3D every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Intergalactic Solar System versus Solar Explorer 3D: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIntergalactic Solar SystemSolar Explorer 3D
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (25 ratings)4.3 (26 ratings) — better
Positive reviews70.0% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings2526 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size355 MB838 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperIntergalactic Education LLCShenzhen Qizhuan Technology Co., Ltd.

Customer experience

Intergalactic Solar System

All ratings20 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

Solar Explorer 3D

All ratings25 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative16.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Intergalactic Solar System

One-time1
  • Access to Full Game$3.99
1 purchases

Solar Explorer 3D

One-time1
  • Premium Edition$3.99

Questions

Is Intergalactic Solar System free?
Intergalactic Solar System is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Solar Explorer 3D free?
Solar Explorer 3D is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Intergalactic Solar System or Solar Explorer 3D?
Solar Explorer 3D is rated higher. Intergalactic Solar System averages 4.0 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Solar Explorer 3D averages 4.3 from 26 ratings.
Do Intergalactic Solar System or Solar Explorer 3D have ads?
Neither Intergalactic Solar System nor Solar Explorer 3D shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Intergalactic Solar System or Solar Explorer 3D?
Intergalactic Solar System ships an update monthly, and Solar Explorer 3D every 3 weeks. Most recently, Intergalactic Solar System was updated on November 3, 2026 and Solar Explorer 3D on November 5, 2026.

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