Comparison

DrakeEQ vs Universe One

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

Universe One

Discover a new image of our universe daily, accompanied by explanations from professional astronomers. Explore fascinating celestial phenomena and expand your knowledge of space.

Highlights
  • Daily featured universe image
  • Brief explanation by professional astronomer
  • Fascinating celestial phenomena
  • Expand space knowledge
Features
Read full description

Each day a different image or photograph of our fascinating universe is featured, along with a brief explanation written by a professional astronomer.

Screenshots

DrakeEQ4 screens
Universe One4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Universe One at 100% against DrakeEQ's 38%. Universe One also leads on price (Free vs $0.99) and update cadence (monthly vs every 5 months). On ads, in-app purchases 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

Universe One is free to download; DrakeEQ costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DrakeEQ ships an update every 5 months, Universe One monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
DrakeEQ versus Universe One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDrakeEQUniverse One
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating2.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews37.5% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.515.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB5 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOnomaly LLCUliana Gritchina

Customer experience

DrakeEQ

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative66.7%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive37.5%
Neutral25.0%
Negative37.5%

Universe One

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

DrakeEQ

No in-app purchases

None

Universe One

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is DrakeEQ free?
DrakeEQ costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Universe One free?
Universe One is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do DrakeEQ or Universe One have ads?
Neither DrakeEQ nor Universe One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DrakeEQ or Universe One?
DrakeEQ ships an update every 5 months, and Universe One monthly. Most recently, DrakeEQ was updated on October 31, 2026 and Universe One on November 3, 2026.

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