# StarMap 3D+ Plus vs Stellar Tour

The clearest difference is price: Stellar Tour at Free against StarMap 3D+ Plus's $2.99. Stellar Tour also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). StarMap 3D+ Plus's advantage is ratings volume (6.8K vs 1.7K) and iOS requirement (16.6 vs 26.0). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Stellar Tour is free to download; StarMap 3D+ Plus costs $2.99 up front. StarMap 3D+ Plus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Stellar Tour sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for StarMap 3D+ Plus against 4.7 for Stellar Tour. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6.8K and 1.7K respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of StarMap 3D+ Plus's written reviews are positive against 84% of Stellar Tour's.

StarMap 3D+ Plus ships an update every 5 weeks, Stellar Tour fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StarMap 3D+ Plus | Stellar Tour |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | **[4.8 (6.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starmap-3d-plus-plus/id351986992/reviews)** | [4.7 (1.7K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellar-tour/id1197929178/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.8K** | 1.7K |
| Positive reviews | **86.0% of reviews** | 83.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 576 MB | 570 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.6** | 26.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sanville Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/324038410) | [Aaron Day](https://appshunter.io/developer/1028872452) |

## What reviewers say

### StarMap 3D+ Plus

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starmap-3d-plus-plus/id351986992)

Explore the cosmos with a portable star atlas. Identify planets, constellations, and deep sky objects using your device's sensors. Features detailed information and 3D visualizations for both beginners and advanced astronomers.

**Highlights:** Real-time satellite tracking (ISS, Hubble), Extensive star and deep sky object database, Detailed constellation information and lines, Location-based celestial object identification, 3D universe visualization, Adjustable date and time for celestial viewing

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, iMessage stickers

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| More Stars | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Excellent star mapping and identification
- 🔍 Detailed information on celestial objects
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🔭 Helpful for amateur astronomers
- 🌍 Works well across locations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional tracking/alignment issues
- 🔍 Lack of detailed instructions/guides
- 🔒 Privacy concerns regarding data collection
- 🎨 Dislike for cartoon-style constellation art

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes or freezes on launch
- Incorrect moon and planet positioning
- Inconsistent performance after updates

**Requested features**

- More detailed deep sky object representations
- Improved tracking and compass accuracy
- Addition of educational content and tutorials
- Customization options for constellation art


### Stellar Tour

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellar-tour/id1197929178)

Explore the cosmos with an augmented reality stargazing app guided by an astrophysicist. Discover exoplanets, solar system bodies, and deep-sky objects with scientifically accurate narratives and detailed visuals.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality stargazing, Astrophysicist-guided tours, Detailed exoplanet information, High-resolution solar system visuals, Exploration of galaxies and nebulae, Interactive 3D planet and moon models

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads 1 | $2.99 | one-time |
| Upgrade: Lessons & Sky Tools | $3.99 | one-time |
| Cosmic Expansion | $9.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads 2 | $9.99 | one-time |
| Remove Ads 3 | $14.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Amazing app
- 👍 Excellent for stargazing and learning
- 🔭 Helpful for identifying stars and constellations
- 🌌 Detailed information on planets and exoplanets
- 🎓 Great educational tool for all ages

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and glitches
- 🤔 Some features not intuitive or user-friendly
- 💰 Wish it was completely free without in-app purchases
- 🌍 Language localization could be improved

**Reported bugs**

- Login screen freezes
- Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
- Videos not playing offline as expected

**Requested features**

- Add support for viewing comets and other celestial events
- Improve AR functionality and integration
- Provide more detailed information on exoplanets
- Introduce a dark mode option for better visibility at night


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StarMap 3D+ Plus free?

StarMap 3D+ Plus costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.

### Is Stellar Tour free?

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

### Which has better reviews, StarMap 3D+ Plus or Stellar Tour?

StarMap 3D+ Plus is rated higher. StarMap 3D+ Plus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.8K ratings, while Stellar Tour averages 4.7 from 1.7K ratings.

### Do StarMap 3D+ Plus or Stellar Tour have ads?

Neither StarMap 3D+ Plus nor Stellar Tour shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StarMap 3D+ Plus or Stellar Tour?

StarMap 3D+ Plus ships an update every 5 weeks, and Stellar Tour fortnightly. Most recently, StarMap 3D+ Plus was updated on September 24, 2026 and Stellar Tour on September 25, 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.*