Comparison

SPHERE OS vs EarthPi

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

Head to head
About

SPHERE OS

Explore Earth's dynamic systems with an interactive digital globe. Visualize real-time data like cloud cover, seismic activity, and pollution, and engage through voice commands, gestures, and augmented reality. This tool transforms learning about our planet for educational and exhibition purposes.

Highlights
  • Real-time scientific data visualization
  • Voice recognition for navigation
  • Gesture-based globe control
  • Augmented Reality (AR) mode
  • QR code content integration
  • Customizable playlists for presentations
Features
Read full description

Still in the global age, children born in 21st century use 2D maps invented in 16th century, or conventional analogue globes. In order to update our perception on the condition of our planet, we would like to launch a brand-new interactive digital globe (named “Sphere”, http://sphere.blue/en). Operated with iPad, the globe represents a variety of scientific data such as the near real-time cloud distribution (satellite image updated hourly through the net) , live-cam image from around the world, seismic events and plate tectonics (with the animation of continental drift), trace of migratory birds and whales, the global transfer of air pollutants and marine debris, global warming simulations, etc. You can interact with the globe in various ways. 1) Voice recognition function : By addressing the name of cities or contents, the globe will rotate and it shows the live image of the cities or the related data either on the hemispheric dome or on the iPad. 2) By manipulating the globe icon at the right bottom of the iPad screen, you can easily spin the globe. By tapping the icons beside the globe icon, you can overlay national borderline, latitude/longitude lines, etc. 3) Hold your hand over the globe, and the globe will respond by the sign (the appearance of circle) showing that it is sensing your presence. Slowly move your palm, just like caressing the virtual atmosphere of the globe, and it will rotate in the direction you want to spin. 4) If you bring some points on the globe to the magnifying pointer zone, you will get some information on the local sites. 5) In the AR mode (by tapping AR icon at the bottom of the iPad), you use iPad as a window to browse virtually floating contents on the globe, such as national flag (browse data on each country by tapping the flag) , the rapidly increasing wind power generation around the globe (illustrated with the virtual windmills standing on each country), aurora circle floating above polar regions, etc. 6) You can show a variety of contents by using QR code reader function. Hold some items such as miniature animals or books (on which a QR code is attached) in front of the iPad, and the globe will show contents related to the item. (ex. The miniature Polar Bear will serve as a trigger to start the animation of the diminishing polar ice in recent years.) This function turn this globe into a sort of Edutainment tool for science museum and schools. 7) By using “Playlist” function, you can select necessary content out of over 100 pre-installed programs and edit the original scenario (Manual or Autoplay mode) for specific exhibitions, lectures, and presentations. The original model of our digital globe is called “Tangible Earth” and is disseminated around the world over the last decade, installed and presented at various museums and international conferences such as G8 Summit in Japan, the Summer-Davos forums (WEF), UN headquarter (Geneva and NY), etc. Now we would like to launch a popular edition (much more portable and cheaper) for schools and small museums, shops.

About

EarthPi

Explore Earth with 27 interactive map projections. Visualize the planet from different angles, adjust time to see sunlight, and track celestial bodies. Save your discoveries with screenshot functionality.

Highlights
  • 27 Earth projections
  • Smooth projection transitions
  • Time control for sunlight simulation
  • Celestial tracking (sun and moon)
  • Screenshot functionality
Features
Read full description

EarthPi is a unique app designed to provide users with a detailed and interactive way to explore Earth through various map projections. With 27 distinct Earth projections, the app allows users to study and visualize the planet from multiple perspectives. Key Features: - 27 Earth Projections: Choose from a variety of Earth's map projections. - Smooth Projection Transitions: Switch between projections seamlessly with fluid animations and learn how each map projection works. - Time Control: Adjust the time to observe the dynamic interaction of sunlight with Earth’s surface across all projections. - Celestial Tracking: View the real-time positions of the sun and moon based on the selected time. - Screenshot Functionality: Capture and save images of any map projection. Future Development: The developer is dedicated to expanding EarthPi’s capabilities, with plans to introduce additional projections, features, and improvements.

Screenshots

SPHERE OS3 screens
EarthPi4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: EarthPi at 67% against SPHERE OS's 0%. EarthPi also leads on rating (4.4 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (14 vs 2). SPHERE OS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). 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. EarthPi sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SPHERE OS asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

EarthPi holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: EarthPi has 14 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 0% of SPHERE OS's written reviews are positive against 67% of EarthPi's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SPHERE OS ships an update every 3 weeks, EarthPi every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
SPHERE OS versus EarthPi: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSPHERE OSEarthPi
PriceFreeFree
Rating1.0 (2 ratings)4.4 (14 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings214 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size951 MB116 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLNSOFTOthman Alzahrani

Customer experience

SPHERE OS

All ratings2 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

EarthPi

All ratings14 ratings
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

SPHERE OS

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

EarthPi

One-time1
  • EarthPi Premium$3.99

Questions

Is SPHERE OS free?
SPHERE OS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is EarthPi free?
EarthPi is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SPHERE OS or EarthPi?
EarthPi is rated higher. SPHERE OS averages 1.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while EarthPi averages 4.4 from 14 ratings.
Do SPHERE OS or EarthPi have ads?
Neither SPHERE OS nor EarthPi shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SPHERE OS or EarthPi?
SPHERE OS ships an update every 3 weeks, and EarthPi every 3 months. Most recently, SPHERE OS was updated on October 12, 2026 and EarthPi on October 15, 2026.

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