# StarMap 3D+ Plus vs Cosmic

The clearest difference is price: Cosmic at Free against StarMap 3D+ Plus's $2.99. StarMap 3D+ Plus's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 6 months) and ratings volume (6.8K vs 624). On rating, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Cosmic is free to download; StarMap 3D+ Plus costs $2.99 up front. StarMap 3D+ Plus sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Cosmic sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. 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 4.8 for Cosmic. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: StarMap 3D+ Plus has 6.8K ratings behind it against 624, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 86% of StarMap 3D+ Plus's written reviews are positive against 87% of Cosmic's.

StarMap 3D+ Plus ships an update every 5 weeks, Cosmic every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and September 26, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | StarMap 3D+ Plus | Cosmic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.8 (6.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starmap-3d-plus-plus/id351986992/reviews) | [4.8 (624 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cosmic-watch/id971231853/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **6.8K** | 624 |
| Positive reviews | 86.0% of reviews | **87.2% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 6 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 576 MB | 194 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | **15.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Sanville Software](https://appshunter.io/developer/324038410) | [Celestial Dynamics AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/997250789) |

## 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


### Cosmic

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/cosmic-watch/id971231853)

Explore the cosmos with this app that offers interactive tools for celestial navigation and astronomical observation. Visualize the sky, Earth, and solar system from multiple perspectives, and discover constellations, planets, and events in augmented reality. It's a blend of ancient wisdom and modern technology for a deeper connection to the universe.

**Highlights:** Multiple celestial perspectives (sky, Earth, solar system), Augmented reality sky exploration, Interactive astronomical and world clocks, Visualized natal charts (Western, Vedic, Sidereal), Day/night cycles on Earth globe, Celestial navigation guides, Notifications for astronomical events

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly Plan | $0.99 | per month |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly Plan | $4.99 | per year |
| Yearly | $24.99 | per year |
| Tools Pack | $2.99 | one-time |
| Cosmic Pro | $69.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Visually stunning and mesmerizing
- 🔍 Excellent for learning about the solar system and celestial sphere
- 🕰️ Useful for tracking planetary movements and positions
- 🎨 Beautiful and intuitive interface
- 🧠 Highly educational and informative

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🔧 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 📍 Inaccurate location detection
- 🔍 Overwhelming amount of information for beginners
- ⚙️ Difficulty in customizing and managing settings
- 🔍 Lack of clear tutorials and user guides

**Reported bugs**

- Date and time not accurately reflected in the solar system view
- Inconsistent behavior when switching between different modes and settings
- Difficulty in maintaining user preferences across sessions

**Requested features**

- Add an alarm feature to wake up to different celestial views
- Implement support for Apple Watch and other wearables
- Provide more options to customize the display and information layers
- Include a night mode or dimmer setting for better visibility in low light
- Integrate with other astronomy apps and tools for a more comprehensive experience


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StarMap 3D+ Plus free?

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

### Is Cosmic free?

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

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

StarMap 3D+ Plus and Cosmic are both rated 4.8 out of 5 on the App Store, from 6.8K and 624 ratings respectively.

### Do StarMap 3D+ Plus or Cosmic have ads?

Neither StarMap 3D+ Plus nor Cosmic shows ads.

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

StarMap 3D+ Plus ships an update every 5 weeks, and Cosmic every 6 months. Most recently, StarMap 3D+ Plus was updated on September 29, 2026 and Cosmic on September 26, 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.*