Comparison

Orbit vs Cosmos

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

Head to head
About

Orbit

Features
Read full description

The app is an accurate interactive simulation of the solar system that allows you to explore the movement of the planets and the Moon around the Sun in a simplified, dynamic model based on real astronomical calculations. The app uses Kepler’s equations of orbital motion to display the positions of the planets realistically, with the ability to track their changes over time live and in real time. Features * Realistic simulation of the motion of all planets in the solar system * Ability to switch between a heliocentric or geocentric model * Control the date and view planetary positions on any day * Smooth automatic time progression * Relative simulation of the Moon’s orbit around Earth * Dynamic space background that reflects the depth of the universe * Smooth performance with real-time animation updates * Simple visual design that supports educational understanding of the solar system *Add alerts for future astronomical phenomena. Scientific Concept The app is based on: * Kepler’s laws of planetary motion * Solving Kepler’s equation to determine the true position of planets * Calculating relative orbital distances for each planet * Simulating motion based on the number of days since the year 2000 (Epoch J2000) Objective This app is designed as an educational and interactive tool to help users understand how planets and the Moon move in a simple and engaging visual way, while maintaining scientific accuracy as much as possible.

About

Cosmos

Explore the universe with interactive lessons and a multiplayer quiz game. Track spacecraft, discover constellations, and build rockets. Features adaptive difficulty and offline play for endless cosmic adventures.

Highlights
  • Illustrated space lessons
  • Live spacecraft tracker
  • Multiplayer quiz game
  • Rocket building simulator
  • Adaptive difficulty
  • Offline functionality
Features
Read full description

Blast off into a universe of learning! Cosmos turns a kid's curiosity about space into hours of fun for the whole family. Cosmos Pro is a subscription. New users start with a free trial; after the trial, a subscription is required to keep using the app and to unlock all features. A one-time Lifetime purchase is also available. Explore 38 illustrated lessons across the Solar System, space missions, space probes, satellites, and the deep cosmos. Then test what you've learned in a multiplayer quiz you can play together in the same room. WHAT'S INSIDE (unlocked with Cosmos Pro) • Explore tab: animated Solar System map, a live spacecraft tracker out to the Voyagers, Moon Tonight, constellations, meteor-shower countdowns, Scale of the Universe, and a build-and-fly Rocket Lab • Multiplayer quiz game — host on one device, friends join on others over local Wi-Fi • Daily Challenge, Space Picture of the Day, and Today in Space keep it fresh • Earn XP, ranks, streaks, Star Cards, and achievements • Adaptive difficulty that matches each learner's level • Works offline • no accounts • no ads • no data collected SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS • Cosmos Pro is offered as a monthly or yearly auto-renewable subscription, with a free trial for new subscribers. A one-time Lifetime purchase is also available. • A subscription unlocks every feature and can be shared with your family through Family Sharing. • Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel anytime in your Apple Account settings. Perfect for curious kids, families, classrooms, and lifelong space fans. Privacy Policy: https://vertexlabsolutions.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Orbit4 screens
Cosmos4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Cosmos at Free against Orbit's $0.99. Cosmos also leads on update cadence (every 8 days vs monthly). Orbit's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.0). On ads and device support 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

Cosmos is free to download; Orbit costs $0.99 up front. Cosmos sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Orbit asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orbit ships an update monthly, Cosmos every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 5 level
Orbit versus Cosmos: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbitCosmos
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Freemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size14 MB6 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOmran AdamMd HASAN

In-app purchases

None

Orbit

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Cosmos

Subscriptions2
  • Cosmos Pro Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Cosmos Pro Yearly7 Days trial$24.991 Year
One-time1
  • Cosmos Pro Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Orbit free?
Orbit costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Cosmos free?
Cosmos is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Orbit or Cosmos have ads?
Neither Orbit nor Cosmos shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbit or Cosmos?
Orbit ships an update monthly, and Cosmos every 8 days. Most recently, Orbit was updated on September 30, 2026 and Cosmos on October 6, 2026.

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