# Earth vs ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples

Earth and ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 74% of Earth's written reviews are positive against 0% of ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples's. Earth also leads on ratings volume (42 vs 9) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). On price, rating, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Earth against 4.6 for ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 42 and 9 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 74% of Earth's written reviews are positive against 0% of ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Earth | ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (42 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-now/id494633346/reviews) | [4.6 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcgis-maps-sdk-samples/id1630449018/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **42** | 9 |
| Positive reviews | **73.7% of reviews** | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 181 MB | 141 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jet Propulsion Laboratory](https://appshunter.io/developer/347075767) | [ESRI](https://appshunter.io/developer/379687933) |

## What reviewers say

### Earth

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-now/id494633346)

Visualize global climate data from NASA satellites, including temperature, CO2, and sea level. Explore 3D Earth models with interactive controls and color-coded maps to understand environmental conditions.

**Highlights:** Global climate data visualization, Satellite data from Earth Science, Surface air temperature maps, CO2 and CO levels, Ozone and water vapor data, Gravity and sea level variations, Interactive 3D Earth model

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🌍 Real-time Earth data visualization
- 👍 User-friendly interface and easy navigation
- 🎨 Beautiful and mesmerizing graphics
- 📊 Comprehensive satellite data from NASA/JPL
- 🆓 Free access to scientific information

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent crashes on older devices
- ⏳ Slow loading times on poor internet
- 🔍 Difficult to understand without scientific background
- 🗺️ Antarctica and polar regions blacked out/missing
- 📐 Zooming and scrolling too sensitive

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup or during use
- Endless 'Loading model' message
- Crashes on iPhone 4 and older devices
- Pixel doubler requirement on iPad
- No landscape orientation support

**Requested features**

- Celsius/Kelvin temperature unit options
- Satellite information (height, launch date)
- ISS tracking capability
- Ocean current visualization
- Ice sheet data layers


### ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/arcgis-maps-sdk-samples/id1630449018)

Explore interactive samples showcasing powerful mapping and visualization capabilities. Learn to integrate advanced features like augmented reality, data editing, and spatial analysis into your own applications by viewing and adapting the provided source code.

**Highlights:** Interactive map and scene samples, Augmented reality visualization, Data editing and offline capabilities, Spatial analysis and routing, View and adapt source code, Search and query functionality

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Earth free?

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

### Is ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples free?

ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Earth or ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples?

Earth and ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples are both rated 4.6 out of 5 on the App Store, from 42 and 9 ratings respectively.

### Do Earth or ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples have ads?

Neither Earth nor ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Earth or ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples?

Earth ships an update every 4 months, and ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples every 4 months. Most recently, Earth was updated on October 15, 2026 and ArcGIS Maps SDK Samples on October 16, 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.*