DrakeEQ vs Magna Calc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Drake Equation calculator
- Interactive 7 parameter manipulation
- Beautiful 3D galaxy visualizations
- Galaxene Galaxy Engine
- Educational and entertaining simulator
- Universe exploration
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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.
Magna Calc
Calculate telescope magnification easily. Supports various eyepiece focal lengths and Barlow lens options from 1x to 5x. Essential tool for amateur and professional astronomers.
- Telescope focal length input
- Eyepiece focal length input
- Barlow lens option (1x-5x)
- Magnification calculation
- Supports millimeters
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Astronomers often need to calculate the magnification derived from their telescope focal length and eyepiece. MagnaCalc provides an easy way to calculate this value for both amateur and professional astronomers. Additionally, Magna Calc provides a 2x to 5x Barlow lens option. Whether you're an amateur or professional astronomer, you'll find Magna Calc helpful in your everyday passion for astronomy. Magna Calc Features... - Telescope Focal Length (in Millimeters) - Eyepiece Focal Length (in Millimeters) - Barlow Lens Option (1x, thru 5x) - Magnification Calculation
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: DrakeEQ at every 5 months against Magna Calc's every 37 months. DrakeEQ also leads on review sentiment (38% vs 25%). Magna Calc's advantage is rating (3.0 vs 2.7). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
DrakeEQ costs $0.99 and Magna Calc $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Magna Calc holds the better App Store score, 3.0 against 2.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 2 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 38% of DrakeEQ's written reviews are positive against 25% of Magna Calc's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
DrakeEQ ships an update every 5 months, Magna Calc every 37 months. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 1, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | DrakeEQ | Magna Calc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 2.7 (3 ratings) | 3.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 37.5% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months — better | Every 37 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 17.5 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Onomaly LLC | Greg Paskal |
Customer experience
DrakeEQ
Magna Calc
In-app purchases
DrakeEQ
No in-app purchases
Magna Calc
No in-app purchases
