Comparison

[Alien] Star Dust vs Lava Play

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

Head to head
About

[Alien] Star Dust

Experience a traveling exhibition through augmented reality. View 3D models of meteorites with binaural sound, and learn about the vastness of space ecology and extraterrestrial dust. Recommended for use with headphones.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality meteorite viewing
  • 3D animated models
  • Binaural soundscapes
  • Educational content on space ecology
  • Interactive exhibition companion
  • Postcard integration
Features
Read full description

This app is part of the [Alien] Star Dust traveling exhibition, and is meant to be used in order to experience the installation. The app allows visitors to view 3D representations of historically significant meteorites with accompanying binaural sound. Inspired by the fact that 60-100 tons of extra-stellar dust falls on earth every day, the goal of the project is to make us aware of the larger space ecology and that these various pollutants we breathe know no boundaries. To use the app, enable your camera and point it at one of images of meteorites found in the exhibition space or on distributed postcards. An animated 3D rendering of the meteorite will appear on your screen with accompanying sound. Headphones are recommended for the best audio experience. [Alien] Star Dust: Signal to Noise is a project created by Victoria Vesna and co-produced with a team of artists and scientists to explore ‘Star Dust’ through sound, installation and online meditation. More information can be found at: https://alienstardust.com/

About

Lava Play

Read full description

Lava Play turns your screen into an interactive digital lava lamp. Pick a color, tilt your device, and watch the lava stretch, merge, and flow. PLAY WITH COLOR Experiment with colors and create a lava lamp that feels completely your own. CONTROL THE FLOW Tilt your device to steer the lava in real time. MAKE SOUND. MOVE LAVA. Watch your lava respond to your voice and the sounds around you. EXPLORE NEW STYLES Give your lava a different look with Glow, Glass, Metal, Jelly, Ink, Marble, and Pearl. SAVE YOUR FAVORITES Save your favorite color and style combinations and return to them anytime. MORE WAYS TO PLAY Unlock sound-reactive lava, extra visual styles, and saved lamps with a one-time purchase. No subscription.

Screenshots

[Alien] Star Dust3 screens
Lava Play4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: [Alien] Star Dust at none against Lava Play's 1. [Alien] Star Dust also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Lava Play's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 4 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. Lava Play sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. [Alien] Star Dust asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

[Alien] Star Dust ships an update every 4 months, Lava Play every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
[Alien] Star Dust versus Lava Play: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter[Alien] Star DustLava Play
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size89 MB2 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVictoria VesnaAbraham Mitchell

In-app purchases

None

[Alien] Star Dust

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Lava Play

One-time1
  • Lava Play Full Feature Unlock$2.99

Questions

Is [Alien] Star Dust free?
[Alien] Star Dust is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lava Play free?
Lava Play is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do [Alien] Star Dust or Lava Play have ads?
Neither [Alien] Star Dust nor Lava Play shows ads.
Which is updated more often, [Alien] Star Dust or Lava Play?
[Alien] Star Dust ships an update every 4 months, and Lava Play every 3 days. Most recently, [Alien] Star Dust was updated on November 3, 2026 and Lava Play on October 31, 2026.

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