# NVS Explorer vs Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: NVS Explorer at none against Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite's 1. NVS Explorer also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 3 months) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NVS Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite has 1.8K ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of NVS Explorer's written reviews are positive against 81% of Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite's.

NVS Explorer ships an update every 3 months, Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite weekly. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NVS Explorer | Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nvs-explorer/id373563865/reviews) | **[4.7 (1.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-toolbox-sensor-suite/id1128914250/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **1.8K** |
| Positive reviews | 60.0% of reviews | **80.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 19 MB | 78 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NANOOS-IOOSASSOCIATION](https://appshunter.io/developer/1792959921) | [Chrystian Vieyra](https://appshunter.io/developer/998187453) |

## What reviewers say

### NVS Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nvs-explorer/id373563865)

Access real-time ocean data for the Pacific Northwest. Visualize conditions from various observing assets, view historical data plots, and share findings via email or SMS. Customize units and save favorite assets for quick access.

**Highlights:** View real-time ocean data, Access 24-hour, 7-day, and 30-day data plots, Share data plots via email or SMS, Searchable list of observing assets, Save favorite observing assets, Display data in scientific or common units, Data plots for tuna fishers

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/physics-toolbox-sensor-suite/id1128914250)

This app turns your smartphone into a scientific instrument suite, enabling measurement, recording, analysis, and export of real-time sensor data. It offers tools for kinematics, acoustics, light, magnetism, and more, suitable for students, educators, researchers, and hobbyists.

**Highlights:** Real-time sensor data measurement, Data recording and analysis, Data export functionality, Kinematics tools (accelerometer, gyroscope), Acoustics tools (sound meter, oscilloscope), Magnetism tools (compass, magnetometer), AR visualization for magnetic fields and measurements

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Upgrade to Pro | $5.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NVS Explorer free?

NVS Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite free?

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NVS Explorer or Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite?

Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite is rated higher. NVS Explorer averages 4.3 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite averages 4.7 from 1.8K ratings.

### Do NVS Explorer or Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite have ads?

Neither NVS Explorer nor Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, NVS Explorer or Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite?

NVS Explorer ships an update every 3 months, and Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite weekly. Most recently, NVS Explorer was updated on June 11, 2026 and Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite on September 29, 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.*