NASA vs Plane Identifier
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- NASA+ video streaming
- 21,000+ NASA images
- Latest NASA news
- Mission updates
- Podcasts
- ISS tracking and Sky View
- Augmented reality experiences
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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!
Plane Identifier
Instantly identify aircraft from photos using AI. Get manufacturer, model, and fascinating facts about any plane you see. Organize your discoveries and share them with others.
- Instant AI aircraft recognition
- Detailed aircraft information
- Personal aircraft collection
- Shareable discovery cards
- Secure image processing
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Plane Identifier: PlaneSnap is the fastest way to identify aircraft using artificial intelligence. Snap or upload a photo and instantly get the manufacturer, aircraft model, category, and fascinating facts. Whether you're an aviation enthusiast, plane spotter, or simply curious about aircraft you see, the app puts aircraft identification in your pocket. (Subscription to Weekly Plan or one-time Lifetime purchase Required) ◆ Instant Aircraft Recognition • Snap or upload a photo to identify manufacturer, model & category in seconds • AI-powered image analysis using Google's Gemini Vision technology • Covers military jets, commercial airliners, general aviation & helicopters ◆ Detailed Aircraft Info • View manufacturer, model designation & aircraft category • Learn about engine configuration and basic specifications when available • Discover fascinating facts about aircraft history and capabilities • See confidence ratings for each identification ◆ Personal Aircraft Collection • Build custom collections to organize your aircraft discoveries • Track your identification history with searchable scan records • Create themed collections like "Military Aircraft" or "Vintage Planes" • Save aircraft photos alongside identification details ◆ Share Your Discoveries • Generate beautiful share cards with aircraft details and photos • Share via social media, messaging, or save to photo library • Professional-quality cards perfect for aviation enthusiasts ◆ Private & Secure • Images processed securely using Google's Gemini AI • No personal data collected beyond device-based authentication • Your scan history and collections stay private to your device ◆ Perfect for • Aviation enthusiasts building their aircraft knowledge • Plane spotters at airports, airshows, or outdoor locations • Travelers curious about aircraft they encounter • Anyone wanting to learn more about the planes they see Subscription Details Unlimited aircraft scans and premium collection features available with subscription. Choose from weekly subscription or one-time lifetime purchase. Payment charged to Apple ID at confirmation. Cancel weekly subscription anytime in Settings › Apple ID › Subscriptions. Prices may vary by region. Privacy & Terms Privacy Policy: https://appstore.devjmc.com/planeidentifier/privacy Terms of Use: https://appstore.devjmc.com/planeidentifier/terms Support Questions or feedback? Email support@devjmc.com and we'll be happy to help. Stop wondering! Download Plane Identifier: PlaneSnap today and identify any aircraft instantly.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NASA at none against Plane Identifier's 2. NASA also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 10 months) and ratings volume (64K vs 9). On price, rating, 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
Both are free to download. Plane Identifier sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. NASA asks for nothing beyond the download.
Plane Identifier holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NASA has 64K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two.
NASA ships an update every 2 weeks, Plane Identifier every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NASA | Plane Identifier |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (64K ratings) | 5.0 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 69.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 64K — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 10 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 60 MB | 32 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | NASA | JACOB COX |
Customer experience
NASA
Plane Identifier
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
Plane Identifier
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
NASA
No in-app purchases
Plane Identifier
- PlaneSnap Weekly$6.997 Days
- PlaneSnap Lifetime$49.99
Questions
Is NASA free?
Is Plane Identifier free?
Which has better reviews, NASA or Plane Identifier?
Do NASA or Plane Identifier have ads?
Which is updated more often, NASA or Plane Identifier?
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