Comparison

Auralux vs Orbit

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

Head to head
About

Auralux

This abstract real-time strategy game offers a minimalist experience with a focus on clever tactics over reflexes. Command a single unit type with simple orders, starting on equal footing with opponents. Enjoy a relaxing, cerebral challenge with a vibrant aesthetic and ambient soundtrack.

Highlights
  • Abstract real-time strategy gameplay
  • Minimalist graphics and ambient soundtrack
  • Simple unit command and orders
  • Equal starting resources for all players
  • Multiple game modes (Normal, Speed, Secret)
  • Optimized for touch screen devices
Features
Read full description

The sequel, Auralux: Constellations, is available now! Click on War Drum Studios above to download. New features include leaderboards, achievements, and cloud saves! Auralux is an abstract, essentialized, and simplified real-time strategy game. You command only one type of unit and have only one type of order to give those units. You and your opponents start the game with precisely equal resources. Quick reflexes will get you nowhere. The only path to victory is through clever strategy. Auralux features a slow, floating feel and vibrant minimalistic graphics. The entire game pulses to the rhythm of ambient music, and the player's actions evoke sounds that smoothly coalesce into melody. This game is designed to provide a relaxing, cerebral experience. Every choice matters, and only the best strategies will succeed. Features: -Includes every feature and more from the renowned PC game. -Free to try for as long as you like! Simply purchase additional levels for a very low price if you enjoy the game and want more challenges. -Gameplay optimized for touch screen devices. -Countless hours of gameplay -Two available game modes : Normal and Speed Mode, with a secret mode for expert players to unlock! -Relaxing, ambient soundtrack brings you into a rhythm and meditative state. Game by E McNeill Ported by War Drum Studios www.wardrumstudios.com

About

Orbit

This app is a meditative physics puzzler where you launch planets to create stable orbits around black holes. Explore a variety of levels, create your own challenges in a sandbox mode, and enjoy a visually artistic and relaxing experience.

Highlights
  • Gravity simulation puzzles
  • Create stable orbits
  • Sandbox mode for level creation
  • Community-created levels
  • Visual orbital mechanics
  • Minimalist graphics and relaxing music
Features
Read full description

ORBIT is a gravity simulator at the heart of a puzzle game. Launch planets with a flick of your finger, and try to get them into stable orbits around black holes. Can you make enough orbits to progress to the next level? New: ORBIT now features a Sandbox (paid) where you can create your own levels! Control time, disable collisions, and paint with gravity. Publish your creations to the world for everyone to play. • 45 free levels, with new mechanics are introduced over time — like repulsive black holes and planets with their own gravity that attract each other • Play community-created levels — virtually limitless content made by other players, all completely free • Launch as many planets as you like, and watch the mesmerizing orbital mechanics unfold • Planets leave colored traces, so that at the end of a level you will have created a beautiful piece of art • See the future trajectory of a planet before you launch it • Play in an environment of smooth, minimalist graphics while listening to relaxing classical piano Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/highkeygames Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highkeygames

Screenshots

Auralux1 screens
Orbit4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is ads: Auralux at none against Orbit's shown. Auralux also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). Orbit's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.6) and review sentiment (94% vs 85%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Auralux sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Orbit sells 7 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Orbit holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2.2K and 7.6K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 85% of Auralux's written reviews are positive against 94% of Orbit's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Auralux ships an update every 3 months, Orbit every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Auralux versus Orbit: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAuraluxOrbit
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (2.2K ratings)4.8 (7.6K ratings) — better
Positive reviews85.3% of reviews94.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2.2K7.6K — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size52 MB137 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperWar Drum Studios LLCHIGHKEY Games

Customer experience

Auralux

All ratings2,198 ratings
Positive91.1%
Neutral2.5%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews1,005 reviews
Positive85.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative9.5%

Orbit

All ratings7,603 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.0%
Negative2.0%
Written reviews625 reviews
Positive94.4%
Neutral2.6%
Negative3.0%

User reviews

Auralux

From 2.2K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast-paced gameplay
  • 🎨 Beautiful visuals and audio
  • 🧠 Challenging and strategic
  • 👍 Relaxing and addictive
  • 🔒 No ads or in-app purchases

Room to improve

  • 🐢 Slow gameplay without speed mode
  • 🤖 AI can be overly aggressive
  • 🔢 Limited number of free levels
  • 🔀 Predictable enemy behavior
  • 🔄 Repetitive map layouts

Orbit

From 7.6K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fire game
  • 👍 Relaxing and Enjoyable
  • 👍 Calming, fun, stimulating, humble
  • 👍 Simple and yet complicated
  • 👍 Elegant and easy

Room to improve

  • 🐛 In app purchased not reicevied
  • 🐛 Purchase didn't work for sandbox & ad removal but it's fun.
  • 🔒 Be ware of your data
  • 🐛 Love-hate

Bugs and requests

Auralux

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • Occasional crashes or freezes

Requested features

5 requests
  • Multiplayer mode
  • Customizable unit colors
  • Random map generator
  • More free levels
  • Ability to adjust gameplay speed

Orbit

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • In app purchase not received
  • Sandbox mode not working
  • Game crashing and unable to open

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to zoom in and out
  • Ability to rotate the game to landscape on iPad
  • Ability to edit and move existing objects in sandbox mode
  • Ability to name planets and add moons
Show 1 more
  • More levels and game modes

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Auralux

One-time10
  • Lyra Pack$0.99
  • Orion Pack$0.99
  • Speed Mode$0.99
Show 7 more
  • Vela Pack$0.99
  • Hydrus Pack$1.99
  • Caelum Pack$1.99
  • Aries Pack$1.99
  • Andromeda Pack$1.99
  • Aurora Pack$1.99
  • Combo Pack$2.99
7 purchases

Orbit

One-time7
  • $1 contribution$0.99
  • Remove ads$0.99
  • $2 contribution$1.99
Show 4 more
  • $3 contribution$2.99
  • Unlock Sandbox (and remove ads)$2.99
  • $5 contribution$4.99
  • $10 contribution$9.99

Questions

Is Auralux free?
Auralux is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Orbit free?
Orbit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Auralux or Orbit?
Orbit is rated higher. Auralux averages 4.6 out of 5 from 2.2K ratings, while Orbit averages 4.8 from 7.6K ratings.
Do Auralux or Orbit have ads?
Orbit shows ads; Auralux does not.
Which is updated more often, Auralux or Orbit?
Auralux ships an update every 3 months, and Orbit every 2 months. Most recently, Auralux was updated on October 12, 2026 and Orbit on October 16, 2026.

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