Comparison

DrakeEQ vs G^N

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

Head to head
About

DrakeEQ

Explore the possibility of extraterrestrial life with a visually stunning calculator based on the Drake Equation. This app allows you to manipulate the equation's parameters and visualize galaxies in motion, offering an educational and entertaining experience.

Highlights
  • Drake Equation calculator
  • Interactive 7 parameter manipulation
  • Beautiful 3D galaxy visualizations
  • Galaxene Galaxy Engine
  • Educational and entertaining simulator
  • Universe exploration
Features
Read full description

Are we alone? We created DrakeEQ to provide a visually elegant answer to the extraterrestrial question, using the intellectually elegant Drake Equation. We coupled this fun calculator with beautiful, 3D galaxies in motion! To help us celebrate 15 years since the first release in 2009, DrakeEQ 7.0.0 now features our Galaxene Galaxy Engine! Use this fun simulator to graphically quantify the number of advanced extraterrestrial civilizations in our Milky Way Galaxy. Travel the Universe and explore infinitely variable galaxies! Just pinch anywhere and tap the targeting indicator. Perform thought experiments with this unique visual tool; it’s both educational and entertaining. Learn about the famous Drake Equation through direct manipulation of its 7 parameters with DrakeEQ. The Drake Equation states that: N = the number of civilizations in our galaxy with which communication might be possible where: R* = the average rate of star formation in our galaxy fp = the fraction of those stars that have planets ne = the average number of planets that can potentially support life per star that has planets fℓ = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop life at some point fi = the fraction of the above that actually go on to develop intelligent life fc = the fraction of civilizations that develop a technology that releases detectable signs of their existence into space L = the length of time such civilizations release detectable signals into space. Drake Equation. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.

About

G^N

Features
Read full description

G^N is a special calculator not just a game: This math app animates iterations of one or compositions of two multi-valued maps for free groups of in principle arbitrary finite rank in the abelian and non-commutative cases respectively (in this version the rank is restricted to values in between 2 and 11). Well-known examples of such multi-valued maps are permutations, for example the flip (x_1,x_2)->(x_2,x_1), in G^N we just write (1,2)->(2,1) and instead of the inverse we convenient flip the number. A more involved type of such a multi-valued map is the n+1 cycle defined by (1,...,n)->(-2-3-...-n-1,3,4,...,n,1), a non-trivial theorem. For example if n=2 this map is the hexagon (1,2)->(-2-1,1), this map applied twice reads (1,2)->(2,-2-1) and the third iteration is the identity map (1,2)->(1,2).

Screenshots

DrakeEQ4 screens
G^N1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: G^N at Free against DrakeEQ's $0.99. G^N also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 5 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 17.5). DrakeEQ's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On 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

G^N is free to download; DrakeEQ costs $0.99 up front. G^N sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. DrakeEQ asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DrakeEQ ships an update every 5 months, G^N every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
DrakeEQ versus G^N: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrakeEQG^N
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating2.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.59.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOnomaly LLCJohannes Loeffler

In-app purchases

None

DrakeEQ

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

G^N

One-time1
  • Levels$9.99

Questions

Is DrakeEQ free?
DrakeEQ costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is G^N free?
G^N is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DrakeEQ or G^N have ads?
Neither DrakeEQ nor G^N shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DrakeEQ or G^N?
DrakeEQ ships an update every 5 months, and G^N every 2 weeks. Most recently, DrakeEQ was updated on September 30, 2026 and G^N on September 29, 2026.

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