# STAR Research vs Explore NC

The clearest difference is update cadence: STAR Research at every 2 months against Explore NC's every 11 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

STAR Research ships an update every 2 months, Explore NC every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on October 5, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | STAR Research | Explore NC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[5.0 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-nc/id1613986031/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **6** |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 11 months |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 26 MB | 1.1 GB |
| Requires iOS | **13.4** | 14.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [David Creswell](https://appshunter.io/developer/1582270910) | [Horizon Video Productions, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1072526409) |

## What reviewers say

### STAR Research

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-research/id1608032560)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Explore NC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/explore-nc/id1613986031)

Discover North Carolina's historical and cultural sites through an engaging augmented reality experience. Interactive games and educational content are designed for children aged 5 and up, offering a fun way to learn about the state's attractions.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality experiences, Interactive games, Historical and cultural attractions, Educational content for kids, Learn about North Carolina sites

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is STAR Research free?

STAR Research is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Explore NC free?

Explore NC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do STAR Research or Explore NC have ads?

Neither STAR Research nor Explore NC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, STAR Research or Explore NC?

STAR Research ships an update every 2 months, and Explore NC every 11 months. Most recently, STAR Research was updated on October 5, 2026 and Explore NC on October 2, 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.*