Comparison

StarMap 3D+ Plus vs Mega Constellations

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

Head to head
About

StarMap 3D+ Plus

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
Currently charting
Read full description

Use your iPhone's compass and gyroscope to find planets, constellations, satellites, and more with crisp, colorful, high-definition Retina graphics that use every pixel of your iPhone or iPad! Hold the universe in your pocket! StarMap 3D Plus is the portable star atlas for beginners or advanced astronomers. Use StarMap 3D Plus to find the planets, stars, constellations, star clusters, galaxies, and nebulae visible to you based on your location and time. StarMap 3D will even use the compass to automatically align the map! • Real-time positions of 150 artificial satellites, including the International Space Station (ISS), and the Hubble Space Telescope • iPad Support • Over 100,000 stars, with detailed information for each of them • 6,441 deep sky objects, with details such as distance from Earth, diameter, apparent size and orientation, and morphology • All 88 modern constellations, with lines based on the outlines from "The Stars: A New Way to See Them" by H.A. Rey • MacRobert and Classic constellation lines also available • Location-based-services (LBS) / Global Positioning System (GPS) support, or manually enter your longitude and latitude • Adjustable date and time of day • Also adjust time instantaneously and interactively with the Time Scroll feature • Compass support, if present • Planetarium Mode for seeing only objects visible to you, or browse the entire celestial sphere • 3D Mode for visualizing the universe in three dimensions

About

Mega Constellations

Explore the visual impact of large satellite networks on the night sky. This simulator shows how current and planned mega-constellations affect stargazing based on your location, time, and date.

Highlights
  • Simulates mega-constellation orbits
  • Visualizes impact on stargazing
  • Adjustable location, time, and date
  • Explores effects on astronomy
  • Shows current and planned constellations
Features
Read full description

A mega-constellation is a collection of man-made satellites orbiting the earth. They operating together to provide internet and other communication services. Because constellations span the entire globe, they have potential to aid society through enhanced connectivity of remote communities and search and rescue capabilities. However, because the satellites reflect sunlight many of them will be visible to the naked eye. The Constellations App simulates the orbits of current and planned mega-constellations. This allows you to explore the effects that these constellations will have on stargazing and astronomy depending on location, time, and date.

Screenshots

StarMap 3D+ Plus4 screens
Mega Constellations4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Mega Constellations at Free against StarMap 3D+ Plus's $2.99. Mega Constellations also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks) and rating (5.0 vs 4.8). StarMap 3D+ Plus's advantage is ratings volume (6.8K vs 1) and chart position (#64 vs unranked). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Mega Constellations holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StarMap 3D+ Plus has 6.8K ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

StarMap 3D+ Plus ships an update every 5 weeks, Mega Constellations every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and August 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
StarMap 3D+ Plus versus Mega Constellations: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarMap 3D+ PlusMega Constellations
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (6.8K ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings6.8K — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#64 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size576 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSanville SoftwareHanno Rein

Customer experience

StarMap 3D+ Plus

All ratings6,821 ratings
Positive96.6%
Neutral1.5%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews752 reviews
Positive86.0%
Neutral5.1%
Negative8.9%

Mega Constellations

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

StarMap 3D+ Plus

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes or freezes on launch
  • Incorrect moon and planet positioning
  • Inconsistent performance after updates

Requested features

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

Mega Constellations

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

StarMap 3D+ Plus

One-time1
  • More Stars$1.99
1 purchases

Mega Constellations

One-time1
  • Developer Appreciation Coffee$1.99

Questions

Is StarMap 3D+ Plus free?
StarMap 3D+ Plus costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Mega Constellations free?
Mega Constellations is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, StarMap 3D+ Plus or Mega Constellations?
Mega Constellations is rated higher. StarMap 3D+ Plus averages 4.8 out of 5 from 6.8K ratings, while Mega Constellations averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do StarMap 3D+ Plus or Mega Constellations have ads?
Neither StarMap 3D+ Plus nor Mega Constellations shows ads.
Which is updated more often, StarMap 3D+ Plus or Mega Constellations?
StarMap 3D+ Plus ships an update every 5 weeks, and Mega Constellations every 5 days. Most recently, StarMap 3D+ Plus was updated on October 1, 2026 and Mega Constellations on August 24, 2026.

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