Comparison

NASA vs Satellite Chasers

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

Satellite Chasers

Explore the cosmos with this app that tracks nearly 50,000 orbital objects using augmented reality. Discover when satellites will be overhead, read space news, and customize their appearance. Compete with friends on a leaderboard and personalize your viewing experience.

Highlights
  • Track 50,000+ orbital objects
  • Augmented Reality satellite viewing
  • Real-time satellite addition
  • Overhead pass notifications
  • Integrated space news
  • Satellite customization
  • Leaderboard and friend system
Features
Read full description

Satellite Chasers lets you explore the real satellite catalog from your phone, including active satellites, rocket bodies, debris, and newly added objects soon after launch. Point your phone at the sky in AR to see what is overhead, or explore satellites over the globe. Track satellites, launches, predicted decays, and conjunctions, which are close approaches between objects in orbit that may indicate potential collision risk. Features include: - Track tens of thousands of objects cataloged in Earth orbit - Use AR to see satellites overhead through your phone’s camera - Play SatSpot, a satellite pointing challenge where your aim determines your check-in points - Get notifications for predicted decays, conjunctions, launches, and newly added satellites - Search launches and see what flew together - Read space news connected to satellites, launches, and orbital activity - View satellite images, descriptions, radio/transmitter data from SatNOGS, and select NASA 3D models - Customize filters to show the satellites you care about - Check in with nearby satellites, earn points, and compete on leaderboards - Favorite satellites and organize your personal Orbit of friends Whether you are a space nerd, ham radio operator, sky watcher, or just curious about what is passing overhead, Satellite Chasers gives you a playful way to explore orbit in real time.

Screenshots

NASA4 screens
Satellite Chasers4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NASA at none against Satellite Chasers's 2. NASA also leads on ratings volume (64K vs 26) and rating (4.8 vs 4.5). On price, review sentiment, 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

Both are free to download. Satellite Chasers sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. NASA asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NASA holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NASA has 64K ratings behind it against 26, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 70% of NASA's written reviews are positive against 75% of Satellite Chasers's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NASA ships an update every 2 weeks, Satellite Chasers every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NASA versus Satellite Chasers: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNASASatellite Chasers
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (64K ratings) — better4.5 (26 ratings)
Positive reviews69.9% of reviews75.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings64K — better26
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
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 MB34 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNASAAustin Griffith

Customer experience

NASA

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

Satellite Chasers

All ratings26 ratings
Positive88.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.5%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative16.7%

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

Satellite Chasers

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

NASA

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Satellite Chasers

One-time2
  • Remove Ads$1.99
  • Remove Ads & Buy Me A Coffee$4.99

Questions

Is NASA free?
NASA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Satellite Chasers free?
Satellite Chasers is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, NASA or Satellite Chasers?
NASA is rated higher. NASA averages 4.8 out of 5 from 64K ratings, while Satellite Chasers averages 4.5 from 26 ratings.
Do NASA or Satellite Chasers have ads?
Neither NASA nor Satellite Chasers shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NASA or Satellite Chasers?
NASA ships an update every 2 weeks, and Satellite Chasers every 5 weeks. Most recently, NASA was updated on September 24, 2026 and Satellite Chasers on September 24, 2026.

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