Comparison

Zappar vs solAR

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

Head to head
About

Zappar

This app bridges the gap between the physical and digital worlds. Point your camera at special codes or images to unlock interactive content like videos, games, and 3D characters.

Highlights
  • Scan zapcodes and Zappar Powered images
  • Unlock videos and games
  • Interact with 3D characters
  • Experience augmented reality
  • Discover digital content on everyday items
Features
Read full description

Welcome to the all-new Zappar app. Zappar connects the digital world with the things round about you. All you have to do is get the app and zap! It's like opening a window to another dimension, where everyday things can transform to unlock videos, games or even 3D characters to play with right there in front of you. All you have to do is download the app and point the camera at a zapcode or Zappar Powered products and images to make them come to life. You’ll find zapcodes on more and more things out in the wild for you to unlock. Everything from magazines, t-shirts, puzzles, hats, books, greetings cards, phone cases and loads more! To see the latest zaps and experience the Zappar magic download the app and head to https://www.zappar.com/showcase/ We hope you enjoy the ongoing updates and additions and really do appreciate your feedback so please contact us with any questions, suggestions or concerns at support@zappar.com (or send a messenger pigeon). Zappar. You're seeing things.

About

solAR

Explore the solar system in 3D and augmented reality. View planets, moons, and the sun in high resolution, placing them in your real-world environment. Adjust distances and scales for an immersive educational experience.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality solar system exploration
  • High-resolution 3D models of planets and moons
  • Place celestial bodies in real-world environments
  • Adjustable planet and moon scale
  • Interactive learning about space
  • Intuitive gesture controls
Features
Read full description

Introducing solAR, the revolutionary solar system exploration app that combines cutting-edge 3D and augmented reality technology to bring the wonders of the solar system right to your doorstep. Whether you're a parent looking for a new and exciting way to engage your children, an educator seeking to enhance your lessons, or simply someone with a passion for space and science, solAR is the perfect app for you. With solAR, you can explore the sun, all the planets and moons of our solar system in stunning high-resolution graphics, and place them in your real-world environment using augmented reality. Imagine being able to see Jupiter towering over your backyard or placing Saturn's rings on a football field. With solAR, you can do just that. Our app uses the camera on your device to superimpose digital content onto the real world, creating an immersive and interactive experience that is like nothing you've ever seen before. One of the unique features of solAR is the ability to adjust the scale of the distances between the planets and moons, allowing you to see how large or small they are in relation to each other. This feature is particularly useful for educational purposes, as it allows students to better understand the relative size of the planets and moons in the solar system. But solAR is more than just a fun and interactive way to explore the solar system, it's also an educational tool. Our app includes a wealth of information about each planet and moon. Children and students can learn about the solar system in a way that is both interactive and engaging. Here are some examples of how solAR can be used in an augmented reality setting: - As a parent, you can use solAR to take a virtual field trip with your child to the planets and moons, allowing them to see the solar system in a new and exciting way. Place the planets in your garden and let your children learn about the solar system while playing outside. Compare the relative size of the planets and moons by adjusting the scale. - As an educator, you can use solAR to enhance your lessons and bring the solar system to life in the classroom. Place the solar system on a football field and let your students learn about the relative size of the planets, moons and the sun. Use the scale adjustment feature to show how far apart the planets are from each other. - As a space enthusiast, you can use solAR to explore the solar system in your own backyard or any outdoor space. Place the planets and moons in any location you want and experience the solar system in a whole new way. Adjust the scale to see the relative size of the planets and moons. solAR is designed with an intuitive user interface, making it easy for anyone to navigate and explore. With simple gestures, you can zoom in and out, rotate, and navigate through the solar system. Our app also features beautiful high-resolution graphics, ensuring that every detail of the solar system is captured in stunning clarity. So why wait? Download solAR today and experience the solar system in a whole new way. With solAR, learning about the solar system has never been more interactive, engaging and fun! Don't miss out on this marvellous opportunity. Download solAR now and start your journey today!

Screenshots

Zappar2 screens
solAR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: solAR at 4.6 against Zappar's 3.6. solAR also leads on review sentiment (67% vs 42%) and ratings volume (2.1K vs 72). Zappar's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (12 vs 14.0). On price, update cadence and ads 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

Both are free to download. solAR sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Zappar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

solAR holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: solAR has 2.1K ratings behind it against 72, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 42% of Zappar's written reviews are positive against 67% of solAR's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Zappar versus solAR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZapparsolAR
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (72 ratings)4.6 (2.1K ratings) — better
Positive reviews42.0% of reviews67.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings722.1K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Vision Pro — better
Requires iOS12 — better14.0
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB43 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperZappar LimitedMichael Stoeckli

Customer experience

Zappar

All ratings71 ratings
Positive62.0%
Neutral5.6%
Negative32.4%
Written reviews257 reviews
Positive42.0%
Neutral3.5%
Negative54.5%

solAR

All ratings2,080 ratings
Positive89.3%
Neutral4.4%
Negative6.3%
Written reviews138 reviews
Positive67.4%
Neutral8.7%
Negative23.9%

User reviews

Zappar

From 72 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Works fine
  • 👍 Convenient and interactive
  • 💡 Impressive animations

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Scanning issues
  • 🐛 Compatibility problems
  • 🔋 Battery drain

solAR

From 2.1K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Realistic and detailed planets
  • 👍 Easy to use and intuitive interface
  • 🌟 Great AR implementation
  • 💡 Helpful for learning about the solar system

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paid content required to access full features
  • 🐛 Bugs and glitches, especially after updates
  • ⚠️ Inaccurate scale and proportions of planets/moons
  • 🔧 Settings and controls not always intuitive

Bugs and requests

Zappar

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Scanning not working
  • Compatibility issues with iOS 14

Requested features

3 requests
  • Camera flip option
  • Unlocked replay of content
  • More content and zap codes

solAR

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Planets not rendering properly in iOS 16
  • Purchased content not unlocking correctly
  • Frequent crashes and performance issues

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add more planets and dwarf planets
  • Improve accuracy of scale and orbital mechanics
  • Provide more educational information about planets
  • Allow free access to full solar system view

In-app purchases

None

Zappar

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

solAR

One-time1
  • Activate all Celestial Bodies$4.99

Questions

Is Zappar free?
Zappar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is solAR free?
solAR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Zappar or solAR?
solAR is rated higher. Zappar averages 3.6 out of 5 from 72 ratings, while solAR averages 4.6 from 2.1K ratings.
Do Zappar or solAR have ads?
Neither Zappar nor solAR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Zappar or solAR?
Zappar ships an update every 3 months, and solAR every 3 months. Most recently, Zappar was updated on November 1, 2026 and solAR on November 6, 2026.

Other comparisons