Ions vs Planet Gravity
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Ions
Explore a virtual sandbox with up to 20,000 particles of light. Create dazzling patterns in real-time by painting with ions, placing emitters, and using fields to attract or repel them. Features accelerometer support and five distinct visual styles.
- Control up to 20,000 particles
- Real-time pattern creation
- Interactive painting with ions
- Emitter placement for ion control
- Attract/repel fields
- Accelerometer support
- Five visual styles
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Ions was selected by Apple as a New and Noteworthy app in February and was the #1 Entertainment app for nearly a week! Ions was then selected as a Staff Favorite in March! Control up to 20,000 particles of light! Ions is an addictive virtual sandbox where you can create dazzling patterns in realtime. Ions runs at 60 fps and really shows off the power of the iPad. There are infinite creative possibilities with Ions - you won't be able to put it down! Use your fingers to either paint with ions or interact with them. Place emitters to control where new ions are created and their initial speeds and directions. Then use fields to either attract or repel ions, altering their velocities. Accelerometer support allows the ions to respond to gravity. You also have five different looks to choose from; each one completely changes the appearance of the ions. Additionally, you can save and load your favorite layouts at any time.
Planet Gravity
Engage in a physics-based game simulating asteroid flight and solar system creation. Complete missions to explore the universe and pass the time. Discover other titles for freeform universe building.
- Physics-based gameplay
- Asteroid simulation
- Solar system creation
- Level-based missions
- Universe exploration
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"Planet Gravity" is a physical base game. We simulate asteroids flying over space. And create the solar system step by step. On each level, we will have some missions for you to finished. The goal of this game is increase your interesting on universe and helping you to the pass the time. And if you want to create the universe on your own freely, we have two games suggested to you. Find "myDream Universe" or "Sandbox Planet" on Appstore.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Ions at Free against Planet Gravity's $11.00. Ions also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 44%) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). Planet Gravity's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.8) and ratings volume (54 vs 13). On update cadence 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
Ions is free to download; Planet Gravity costs $11.00 up front. Planet Gravity sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Ions asks for nothing beyond the download.
Planet Gravity holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 13 and 54 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 84% of Ions's written reviews are positive against 44% of Planet Gravity's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Ions ships an update every 3 months, Planet Gravity every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Ions | Planet Gravity |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $11.00 |
| Rating | 3.8 (13 ratings) | 4.2 (54 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.6% of reviews — better | 44.1% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 54 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 108 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Douglas Applewhite | Oscar Tsang |
Customer experience
Ions
Planet Gravity
Bugs and requests
Ions
Reported bugs
7 issues- Rainbow color not working
- Multi-color part not working on iPad Air
- One of the layouts is broken
- App crashes when trying to save a layout
- Requires newest iPhone OS but user is on iPad
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- Mysteriously refuses to install
- In horizontal mode, screen is upside-down
Requested features
27 requests- Add a grid for accurate placement
- Option to hide sidebar/markers
- Add wall/boundaries for ions to bounce off
- Allow choosing number and size of ions
- More control over emitters and fields
Show 22 moreShow fewer
- Ability to create a system with charges
- 3D TV AirPlay support
- Particle collision option
- Duplicate fields and emitters
- Choose particle fading distance
- Link or group fields and emitters
- Modify, snap to, and toggle a grid
- Toggle fields and emitters' visibility
- Choose a background image
- Automate emitter/field position
- More 'looks' to choose from
- Friend connection for sharing layouts online
- Repelled and attractor plates
- Screens
- Input Solidworks models
- 3D capabilities
- Sound options (e.g., white noise)
- Arrow controls for fine-tuning field strength
- Increase ion cap
- Prevent sleep mode
- Choose color independent of speed
- Add different looks/themes
Planet Gravity
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Ions
No in-app purchases
Planet Gravity
- Golden Pass$2.99
