Comparison

NASA vs Star Walk 2 Plus

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

Head to head
About

NASA

Explore the universe with access to live and on-demand NASA+ videos, a vast collection of stunning images, and the latest mission news. Discover interactive augmented reality experiences and track the International Space Station's path.

Highlights
  • NASA+ video streaming
  • 21,000+ NASA images
  • Latest NASA news
  • Mission updates
  • Podcasts
  • ISS tracking and Sky View
  • Augmented reality experiences
Features
Read full description

The redesigned NASA App unlocks access to the new NASA+ video streaming service, plus all the latest NASA images, news, mission information, podcasts, and interactive augmented reality experiences to explore -- putting the universe at your fingertips! With the NASA App, you'll be able to: • Explore with unlimited access to NASA+, featuring all of NASA's official live coverage and original on-demand video series. No subscription required. • Easily view over 21,000 of the latest NASA images • Rate images and explore all of the highest rated ones • Read all the latest NASA news and feature articles • Get the latest updates on Artemis, the James Webb Space Telescope, and other exciting NASA missions. • Listen to our podcasts featuring astronauts and experts who take you on a tour of the galaxy without ever leaving Earth. • Set an alert for when the International Space Station will fly over your location and use the Sky View feature to help you locate the station during the visible pass • Experience our rovers and rockets up close and personal with augmented reality. • And so much more! Download the updated NASA App now!

About

Star Walk 2 Plus

Explore the cosmos with a real-time sky map. Point your device to identify stars, planets, and constellations. Discover celestial events and learn about the universe with detailed information and 3D models.

Highlights
  • Real-time sky map
  • 3D constellation models
  • Time machine feature
  • Deep sky object identification
  • Augmented reality mode
  • Celestial event tracking
Features
Read full description

Star Walk 2 Plus is an exquisite stargazing app that enables you to explore the sky through the screen of your device. Make an effortless journey through thousands of stars, planets and constellations. All you have to do is point your device to the sky! ⁕BEST OF 2014: The next generation of the best-selling Star Walk, winner of Apple Design Award, used by over 10 million people⁕ The app uses your device’s sensors and the GPS to determine the exact position of stars, planets, constellations and other objects in the sky. “She’s a beauty.”- The Next Web “Star Walk 2 is a terrific introduction to astronomy for young and old. It’s also handy for serious stargazers for observing planning.” - TUAW “Star Walk 2 is visually stunning.” - PCmag “This is a very beautiful and unusual application that turns your phone into a real planetarium.” - Free apps for me “For those who enjoy the original app, Star Walk 2 is worth the upgrade — the interface is gorgeous. Anyone with even a passing interest in astronomy should grab Star Walk 2.” - iLounge “It is worth every penny.” - PadGadget Star Walk 2 Plus in travel & tourism industry: ‘Rapa Nui Stargazing’ based on Easter Island uses the app for sky observations during its astronomical tours. ‘Nakai Resorts Group’ in the Maldives uses the app during astronomy meetings. Main features: ◆ Map of the sky in real time ◆ 3D models of constellations and other sky objects ◆ “Time machine” ◆ Deep sky objects ◆ Rich info about celestial bodies and sky events ◆ The sky at different wavelengths ◆ Augmented reality mode ◆ "What's new" section with the latest astronomical news ◆ "Visible Tonight" section ► Star Walk 2 Plus shows the real-time map of the sky on your screen in whatever direction you are pointing the device (the Star spotter feature). As you point your device towards the sky, the star map follows your motions using the built-in gyroscope to match the map on your screen to the stars seen from your location. ► What's up in the sky tonight? Open the "Visible Tonight" section and learn about the upcoming astronomical events and celestial objects that will be visible from your location. ► Be aware of the latest news from the world of space and astronomy. The app's "What's new" section will tell you about the most outstanding celestial events in time. ► Create shortcuts to take your stargazing experience to a whole new level. Go to the "Visible Tonight" section and add the shortcut to Siri. Next time when you want to access the list of astronomy events for your location, ask Siri and get it quicker than ever. ► Touching a clock-face icon at the upper-right corner of the screen allows you to select any date and time and watch the sky of different periods. ► Get a deeper understanding of the constellation`s scale and place in the night sky. Enjoy observing wonderful 3D models of constellations, turn them upside down, read their stories. ► Find and study deep sky objects such as meteor showers, planetary nebulae, star clusters, etc. The app is ad-supported and contains In-App Purchases. If you want to use the app without ads, download the paid Star Walk 2 app or remove ads from Star Walk 2 Plus with a special In-App Purchase. Star Walk 2 Plus offers an optional subscription that gives you access to all additional content and removes ads from the app. It is an auto-renewable subscription with one week free trial. At the end of each subscription duration (1 month), the subscription will automatically renew until you choose to cancel it. Users can manage their subscriptions in their account settings on the App Store. Privacy policy: http://vitotechnology.com/privacy-policy.html Terms of use: http://vitotechnology.com/terms-of-use.html Start your best stargazing experience!

Screenshots

NASA4 screens
Star Walk 2 Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NASA at none against Star Walk 2 Plus's 15. NASA also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 weeks). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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

Both are free to download. Star Walk 2 Plus sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. NASA asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NASA holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 64K and 95K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 70% and 70% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NASA ships an update every 2 weeks, Star Walk 2 Plus every 6 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NASA versus Star Walk 2 Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNASAStar Walk 2 Plus
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (64K ratings) — better4.6 (95K ratings)
Positive reviews69.9% of reviews — better69.8% of reviews
Number of ratings64K95K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size60 MB373 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNASAVito Technology Inc.

Customer experience

NASA

All ratings63,707 ratings
Positive96.4%
Neutral1.7%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews509 reviews
Positive69.9%
Neutral6.7%
Negative23.4%

Star Walk 2 Plus

All ratings94,916 ratings
Positive91.2%
Neutral3.7%
Negative5.1%
Written reviews691 reviews
Positive69.8%
Neutral4.6%
Negative25.6%

User reviews

NASA

From 64K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast loading
  • 👍 Informative and educational
  • 🌟 Amazing images and videos
  • 💻 Great for learning about space
  • 🔭 Comprehensive space information

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🔍 Difficult to navigate and find content
  • 📺 Missing live streaming features
  • 🔄 Outdated user interface
  • 🔍 Lack of search functionality

Star Walk 2 Plus

From 95K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🌟 Informative and educational
  • 🔭 Accurate star/planet tracking
  • 🎨 Beautiful visuals and graphics
  • 🔊 Relaxing background music
  • 🌍 Useful for stargazing and astronomy

Room to improve

  • 💢 Excessive and intrusive ads in free version
  • 🤔 Confusing navigation and controls
  • 🧭 Inaccurate compass and location tracking
  • 💰 Expensive in-app purchases required for full features
  • 🔄 Frequent app crashes and freezes

Bugs and requests

NASA

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Crashes on launch for some devices
  • Inability to close/exit image viewer
  • Notifications not working as expected
  • Incompatibility issues with newer iOS versions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add live streaming of NASA TV
  • Improve navigation and search
  • Implement dark mode option
  • Bring back old features (e.g. APOD widget, ISS sightings)
  • Enhance 3D models and AR capabilities

Star Walk 2 Plus

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Compass and location tracking issues
  • Crashes and freezes when using certain features
  • Purchased upgrades not syncing across devices
  • Notifications not working as expected

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add more detailed information about stars and constellations
  • Improve widget functionality and visibility of planets/satellites
  • Implement a dark mode for better visibility at night
  • Allow customization of the display and overlay options
  • Enhance the augmented reality experience

In-app purchases

None

NASA

No in-app purchases

12 purchases

Star Walk 2 Plus

Subscriptions5
  • StarWalk2 Ads+ Monthly Premium7 Days trial2 variants$0.991 Month
  • StarWalk2 Ads+ Monthly Premium$0.991 Month
  • StarWalk2 Ads+ Yearly Premium7 Days trial$5.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • StarWalk2 Ads+ Yearly Premium$5.991 Year
  • StarWalk2 Ads+ Yearly Premium3 Days trial$9.991 Year
One-time7
  • Constellations Encyclopedia$0.99
  • Discover Solar System Objects$0.99
  • Explore Planet Finder 3D$0.99
Show 4 more
  • Satellite Tracker in the Sky$0.99
  • Night Sky View: without Ads$2.99
  • Night Sky Map: Limited Offer$5.99
  • Night Sky View: No Ads$8.99

Questions

Is NASA free?
NASA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Star Walk 2 Plus free?
Star Walk 2 Plus is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NASA or Star Walk 2 Plus?
NASA is rated higher. NASA averages 4.8 out of 5 from 64K ratings, while Star Walk 2 Plus averages 4.6 from 95K ratings.
Do NASA or Star Walk 2 Plus have ads?
Star Walk 2 Plus shows ads; NASA does not.
Which is updated more often, NASA or Star Walk 2 Plus?
NASA ships an update every 2 weeks, and Star Walk 2 Plus every 6 weeks. Most recently, NASA was updated on September 24, 2026 and Star Walk 2 Plus on September 24, 2026.

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