# NASA Visualization Explorer vs ISS Live Now

The clearest difference is rating: ISS Live Now at 4.6 against NASA Visualization Explorer's 3.3. ISS Live Now also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 51%) and ratings volume (6.6K vs 86). NASA Visualization Explorer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ISS Live Now sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. NASA Visualization Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ISS Live Now holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ISS Live Now has 6.6K ratings behind it against 86, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 51% of NASA Visualization Explorer's written reviews are positive against 88% of ISS Live Now's.

NASA Visualization Explorer ships an update every 3 months, ISS Live Now every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | NASA Visualization Explorer | ISS Live Now |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.3 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nasa-visualization-explorer/id448700202/reviews) | **[4.6 (6.6K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iss-live-now/id1138994692/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 86 | **6.6K** |
| Positive reviews | 50.7% of reviews | **87.8% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 35 MB | 93 MB |
| Requires iOS | **6.1** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) | [Carlos Santos](https://appshunter.io/developer/1138994691) |

## What reviewers say

### NASA Visualization Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nasa-visualization-explorer/id448700202)

Explore advanced space-based research through engaging stories and stunning visualizations. See Earth from new perspectives and journey to distant locations through a direct connection to NASA's research spacecraft. Discover cutting-edge science delivered weekly to your device.

**Highlights:** Advanced space-based research stories, Cutting-edge research visualizations, View Earth from new perspectives, Travel to inaccessible locations, New stories updated weekly

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Stunning visuals
- 🔍 Informative content
- 👍 Easy to navigate
- 🤓 Great for science enthusiasts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes
- ⏱️ Slow loading times
- 🔒 Requires account sign-in
- 💤 Lack of new content updates

**Reported bugs**

- Freezing on tutorial screen
- Incompatibility with iOS 10+
- Video playback issues
- Unreliable server connectivity

**Requested features**

- Offline content viewing
- Interactive data visualizations
- Support for older devices
- Customizable notification settings


### ISS Live Now

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iss-live-now/id1138994692)

Experience Earth from orbit with a 24/7 live HD video stream from the International Space Station. Track the ISS's path on a dynamic map and access various NASA and ESA feeds, including spacewalk footage and interior tours.

**Highlights:** 24/7 live HD Earth view from ISS, Interactive ISS orbit tracker map, Multiple live video streams (ISS cameras, NASA TV, ESA), Spacewalk and interior ISS video tours, Notifications for live sunrise/sunset views, Launchpad live streams

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove ads | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Exceptional program
- 🚀 Excellent
- 🚀 Fascinating!
- 🚀 Educational
- 🚀 Great fun

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 It is not working
- 🐛 Maybe I'm getting old
- 🐛 Good app...but inappropriate ads for a family app.
- 🐛 Cameras seem to be down a lot.
- 🐛 More earth less space station !!!

**Reported bugs**

- Map is not working!
- Live feed cuts when strange things happen
- No camera available
- Constant loss of connection
- Camera quality issues

**Requested features**

- More live cameras please
- Add zoom in function
- Add more map options
- Add ability to save stills or videos
- Add captions for the videos


## Frequently asked questions

### Is NASA Visualization Explorer free?

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

### Is ISS Live Now free?

ISS Live Now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, NASA Visualization Explorer or ISS Live Now?

ISS Live Now is rated higher. NASA Visualization Explorer averages 3.3 out of 5 from 86 ratings, while ISS Live Now averages 4.6 from 6.6K ratings.

### Do NASA Visualization Explorer or ISS Live Now have ads?

ISS Live Now shows ads; NASA Visualization Explorer does not.

### Which is updated more often, NASA Visualization Explorer or ISS Live Now?

NASA Visualization Explorer ships an update every 3 months, and ISS Live Now every 3 weeks. Most recently, NASA Visualization Explorer was updated on October 15, 2026 and ISS Live Now on October 18, 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.*