StarMap 3D+ Plus vs Mega Constellations
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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
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.
- Simulates mega-constellation orbits
- Visualizes impact on stargazing
- Adjustable location, time, and date
- Explores effects on astronomy
- Shows current and planned constellations
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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
Verdict
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
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.
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.
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.
| Parameter | StarMap 3D+ Plus | Mega Constellations |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (6.8K ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 86.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 6.8K — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #64 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 576 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sanville Software | Hanno Rein |
Customer experience
StarMap 3D+ Plus
Mega Constellations
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
StarMap 3D+ Plus
- More Stars$1.99
Mega Constellations
- Developer Appreciation Coffee$1.99
Questions
Is StarMap 3D+ Plus free?
Is Mega Constellations free?
Which has better reviews, StarMap 3D+ Plus or Mega Constellations?
Do StarMap 3D+ Plus or Mega Constellations have ads?
Which is updated more often, StarMap 3D+ Plus or Mega Constellations?
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