# Solar System&Celestial Objects vs Smithsonian

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Solar System&Celestial Objects at none against Smithsonian's 2. Solar System&Celestial Objects also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). Smithsonian's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Smithsonian sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Solar System&Celestial Objects asks for nothing beyond the download.

Solar System&Celestial Objects ships an update every 6 weeks, Smithsonian every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on May 16, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Solar System&Celestial Objects | Smithsonian |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 62 MB | 285 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [NIKI TECH](https://appshunter.io/developer/1788609104) | [PlayDate Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/652113715) |

## What reviewers say

### Solar System&Celestial Objects

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-system-and-celestial-objects/id6503188651)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Smithsonian

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/smithsonian-planets/id6504839302)

Explore the solar system with interactive games and animations. Learn fascinating facts about planets, moons, and the asteroid belt. Designed for curious young minds to introduce astronomy basics.

**Highlights:** Fascinating facts about the solar system, Mini games like Space Winter Rush, Interactive activities, Educational animations, Read to Me text, Collect planet badges

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads | $1.99 | one-time |
| Buy 5 Planets | $2.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Solar System&Celestial Objects free?

Solar System&Celestial Objects is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Smithsonian free?

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

### Do Solar System&Celestial Objects or Smithsonian have ads?

Solar System&Celestial Objects shows ads; Smithsonian does not.

### Which is updated more often, Solar System&Celestial Objects or Smithsonian?

Solar System&Celestial Objects ships an update every 6 weeks, and Smithsonian every 3 months. Most recently, Solar System&Celestial Objects was updated on May 16, 2026 and Smithsonian on September 22, 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.*