Comparison

GlobeViewer Moon vs The Moon

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

Head to head
About

GlobeViewer Moon

Explore a detailed 3D model of the moon's surface with interactive globe and high-resolution map views. Discover craters, grooves, and other features with four distinct map modes, utilizing data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. This app offers adjustable lighting for enhanced visibility and is designed to be a valuable tool for telescope users.

Highlights
  • Interactive 3D moon globe
  • High-resolution 3D map view
  • Four map modes (elevation, photo, combined, telescope)
  • Adjustable lighting for feature visibility
  • Data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter
  • Telescope mode with realistic lighting and moon phase simulation
Features
Read full description

GlobeViewer Moon is an interactive and three-dimensional representation of the entire moon surface. The globe rotation view provides an overview of all the existing designations for various surface features. If you are interested in a specific region, an even higher resolution 3D map view can be loaded in order to take a close look at the craters, grooves and other features. There are four map modes available (elevation display, photo illustration, a combination of both and a grey texture for the telescope mode). These views were created from data from NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter. In addition, surface details (normal maps) have been obtained from the elevation data for the display, which can be combined with all map modes. Even the smallest craters, elevations, grooves and gorges are visible on the map. The lighting in the 3D map view is designed in such a way that the light can be directed into the crater from all directions. This is used to improve the visibility of height structures in the craters and is not intended to represent the real lighting situation. Realistic lighting that includes the ecliptic was also dispensed with in the globe view in favour of the visibility of the polar regions. In telescope mode the lighting is a realistic simulation including Moon phase and libration movement. So the app becomes a useful tool for telescope users. The app will recieve lot of updates in the future - this way, user feedback should flow into the further development. If you have any suggestions or ideas for further functions in the app, please contact us using the contact form on our website. We are looking forward to your feedback.

About

The Moon

Explore the moon with stunning realism and accuracy. This app provides real-time rendering of lunar phases, liberations, and orbital positions. Access a yearly calendar of moon phases and view the moon's location on an Earth map.

Highlights
  • Real-time moon rendering
  • Accurate lunar phase visualization
  • Intuitive time controller
  • Yearly moon phase calendar
  • Earth map with moon position
  • User-friendly interface
Features
Read full description

Experience the moon with detailed accuracy using The Moon - Simulation App. Designed for moon enthusiasts, astronomers, and anyone interested in our celestial neighbor, this app offers precise information and a user-friendly interface, allowing you to observe the moon in real-time. Key Features: - Real-Time Moon Rendering: Witness the moon's phases, liberations, and apogee/perigee with astonishing realism and accuracy. Use the intuitive time controller to seamlessly move forwards or backwards, witnessing the Moon's phases unfold continuously. Or, simply pick a specific date and time to jump to using the time picker. - High Realism and User-Friendly Interface: The Moon app is designed to provide the highest level of realism, ensuring accurate depictions of the moon's behavior while maintaining an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface. - Yearly Moon Phase Calendar: Select any year to view a detailed list of significant moon phases (full, new, half), along with the precise date and time of each phase. Click on any event to jump to that specific time instance. Also, explore moon's maximum declination and apogee/perigee (maximum distances) effortlessly. - Earth Map with Moon Position: View the moon's current overhead position on the map. You can also select your location to see the parallactic angle of the moon phase, offering a unique perspective based on your geographic location.

Screenshots

GlobeViewer Moon4 screens
The Moon4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: The Moon at 100% against GlobeViewer Moon's 0%. The Moon also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.0) and ads (none vs shown). GlobeViewer Moon's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model 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. GlobeViewer Moon sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and The Moon 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

The Moon holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 14 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of GlobeViewer Moon's written reviews are positive against 100% of The Moon's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

GlobeViewer Moon ships an update every 3 months, The Moon every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on August 23, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
GlobeViewer Moon versus The Moon: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlobeViewer MoonThe Moon
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (3 ratings)4.9 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings314 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 months — betterEvery 6 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.012.0
Further details — not scored
Size160 MB81 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRAB-SoftwareOthman Alzahrani

Customer experience

GlobeViewer Moon

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

The Moon

All ratings14 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

GlobeViewer Moon

One-time6
  • No Ads$4.99
  • Upgrade to Front$9.99
  • Moon front side only$13.99
Show 3 more
  • Upgrade to Pro$14.99
  • Upgrade to Pro$23.99
  • Professional version$26.99
1 purchases

The Moon

One-time1
  • Support The Moon App$0.99

Questions

Is GlobeViewer Moon free?
GlobeViewer Moon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is The Moon free?
The Moon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, GlobeViewer Moon or The Moon?
The Moon is rated higher. GlobeViewer Moon averages 2.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while The Moon averages 4.9 from 14 ratings.
Do GlobeViewer Moon or The Moon have ads?
GlobeViewer Moon shows ads; The Moon does not.
Which is updated more often, GlobeViewer Moon or The Moon?
GlobeViewer Moon ships an update every 3 months, and The Moon every 6 months. Most recently, GlobeViewer Moon was updated on August 23, 2026 and The Moon on September 20, 2026.

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