# Exoplanet vs NASA Visualization Explorer

The clearest difference is rating: Exoplanet at 4.7 against NASA Visualization Explorer's 3.3. Exoplanet also leads on review sentiment (91% vs 51%) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months). NASA Visualization Explorer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 7) and iOS requirement (6.1 vs 13.0). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Exoplanet sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. NASA Visualization Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Exoplanet holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Exoplanet has 956 ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 91% of Exoplanet's written reviews are positive against 51% of NASA Visualization Explorer's.

Exoplanet ships an update every 2 weeks, NASA Visualization Explorer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 11, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Exoplanet | NASA Visualization Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.7 (956 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exoplanet/id327702034/reviews)** | [3.3 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nasa-visualization-explorer/id448700202/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **956** | 86 |
| Positive reviews | **90.9% of reviews** | 50.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 105 MB | 35 MB |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 | **6.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Hanno Rein](https://appshunter.io/developer/325840976) | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) |

## What reviewers say

### Exoplanet

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/exoplanet/id327702034)

Explore a vast, interactive database of discovered exoplanets and their host stars. Visualize their physical properties, locations in the night sky, and orbital paths. Discover the observable universe from Earth to the cosmic microwave background with stunning 3D models and augmented reality features.

**Highlights:** Interactive visualizations and animations, Daily updated exoplanet and host star properties, 3D Milky Way model with exoplanet locations, Augmented reality sky map, Exoplanet orbit and habitable zone visualizations, Data from multiple exoplanet catalogs

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Galaxy Clusters and CMB | $0.99 | one-time |
| Asteroids | $0.99 | one-time |
| Gaia Stars | $0.99 | one-time |
| S-Stars | $0.99 | one-time |
| Catalogues | $0.99 | one-time |
| Developer Appreciation Coffee | $1.99 | one-time |
| Kepler Add-on | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Great app
- 👍 Insanely entertaining
- 👍 Amazing graphics and interactive diorama
- 👍 Detailed explanation of planets
- 👍 Awesome app for astronomy and physics lovers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Some exoplanets not showing up in search
- 🐛 Inconsistent behavior when switching between databases
- 🔒 Paid upgrades required to access more features
- 🐛 Upgrade purchase issues with Galaxy Clusters and CMB add-on
- 🐛 Exoplanets represented as generic white balls

**Reported bugs**

- Upgrade purchase issues with Galaxy Clusters and CMB add-on
- Kepler objects of interest disappearing when switching databases

**Requested features**

- Add more detailed textures and visuals for exoplanets
- Ability to view multiple databases simultaneously
- Option to see planet surfaces and atmospheres
- Inclusion of dwarf planets in our solar system
- Ability to zoom in on and explore other galaxies


### NASA Visualization Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nasa-visualization-explorer/id448700202)

Explore advanced space-based research through engaging stories and stunning visualizations. See Earth from new perspectives and journey to distant locations through a direct connection to NASA's research spacecraft. Discover cutting-edge science delivered weekly to your device.

**Highlights:** Advanced space-based research stories, Cutting-edge research visualizations, View Earth from new perspectives, Travel to inaccessible locations, New stories updated weekly

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Stunning visuals
- 🔍 Informative content
- 👍 Easy to navigate
- 🤓 Great for science enthusiasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- ⏱️ Slow loading times
- 🔒 Requires account sign-in
- 💤 Lack of new content updates

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing on tutorial screen
- Incompatibility with iOS 10+
- Video playback issues
- Unreliable server connectivity

**Requested features**

- Offline content viewing
- Interactive data visualizations
- Support for older devices
- Customizable notification settings


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Exoplanet free?

Exoplanet is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NASA Visualization Explorer free?

NASA Visualization Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Exoplanet or NASA Visualization Explorer?

Exoplanet is rated higher. Exoplanet averages 4.7 out of 5 from 956 ratings, while NASA Visualization Explorer averages 3.3 from 86 ratings.

### Do Exoplanet or NASA Visualization Explorer have ads?

Neither Exoplanet nor NASA Visualization Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Exoplanet or NASA Visualization Explorer?

Exoplanet ships an update every 2 weeks, and NASA Visualization Explorer every 3 months. Most recently, Exoplanet was updated on October 11, 2026 and NASA Visualization Explorer on October 15, 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.*