# Distance Lite vs Earth & Sky Explorer

The clearest difference is price: Distance Lite at Free against Earth & Sky Explorer's $2.99. Distance Lite also leads on iOS requirement (7.0 vs 15.6). Earth & Sky Explorer's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 1.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ratings volume, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Distance Lite is free to download; Earth & Sky Explorer costs $2.99 up front. Distance Lite sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Earth & Sky Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Earth & Sky Explorer holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively.

Distance Lite ships an update every 12 months, Earth & Sky Explorer every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Distance Lite | Earth & Sky Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $2.99 |
| Rating | [1.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distance-lite/id586197367/reviews) | **[5.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-and-sky-explorer/id6743676043/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **4** | 2 |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 3 MB | 143 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Piet Jonas](https://appshunter.io/developer/288060167) | [Andreas Joseph Durandi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1803936402) |

## What reviewers say

### Distance Lite

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/distance-lite/id586197367)

Calculate the shortest distance or constant bearing between any two points on Earth. Select locations via GPS, coordinates, or a database, and visualize direction on a compass rose. Share results via email.

**Highlights:** Calculate shortest distance (orthodrome), Calculate distance with constant bearing (rhumb line), Select current location via GPS, Enter latitude/longitude coordinates, Select locations from GeoNames database, Visualize bearing on compass rose, Email distance results

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

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Distance Free Upgrade | $0.99 | one-time |


### Earth & Sky Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/earth-and-sky-explorer/id6743676043)

Visualize celestial paths and Earth's features with an AR compass. Explore through the Earth, see global maps, and track the Sun and Moon in 3D. Offers precise GPS and barometer data for any location and time.

**Highlights:** Immersive 3D compass with GPS data, AR view of Sun and Moon paths, See through the Earth visualization, Virtual view from any location, Global map perspective, Moon phase and time visualization

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Distance Lite free?

Distance Lite is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Earth & Sky Explorer free?

Earth & Sky Explorer costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Distance Lite or Earth & Sky Explorer?

Earth & Sky Explorer is rated higher. Distance Lite averages 1.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Earth & Sky Explorer averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.

### Do Distance Lite or Earth & Sky Explorer have ads?

Neither Distance Lite nor Earth & Sky Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Distance Lite or Earth & Sky Explorer?

Distance Lite ships an update every 12 months, and Earth & Sky Explorer every 3 weeks. Most recently, Distance Lite was updated on October 30, 2026 and Earth & Sky Explorer on October 24, 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.*