Comparison

Astro Viewer vs OrbView

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

Head to head
About

Astro Viewer

Features
Read full description

Astro Viewer is your ultimate gateway to the universe, powered by multiple world-class space agencies and observatories. Access thousands of stunning astronomical images from NASA, ESA/Hubble, ESA/Webb, and ESO. Whether you are a student, an educator, or a space enthusiast, explore the cosmos through multiple telescopes and perspectives like never before. WHAT'S NEW: MULTI-AGENCY EXPANSION Now featuring four major astronomical image sources: - NASA Open API - Space exploration imagery - ESA/Hubble Space Telescope - Iconic optical observations - ESA/Webb Space Telescope - Infrared universe revelations - ESO Public Archives - Ground-based astronomical excellence Experience the universe through the world's most powerful telescopes! KEY FEATURES Break Language Barriers: Search in Any Language - Supports 130+ languages via intelligent auto-translation - Type "Andromeda" in Korean, Japanese, French, or any other language - Smart search engine queries multiple databases and delivers unified results - Auto-translation instantly converts descriptions of galaxies, nebulae, and black holes to your native language Educational & Bilingual Tools - Original vs. Translated Toggle: Switch between translated and original English text with a single tap—perfect for learning astronomical terms! - Detailed Metadata: Access photographer credits, observation dates, telescope specifications, and celestial keywords - Multi-Source Attribution: See which telescope/observatory captured each image Massive Astronomical Library - Multi-Agency Integration: Thousands of high-resolution images from NASA, Hubble, Webb, and ESO - Curated Catalog: Browse hand-picked selections of famous celestial objects (M31, M42, NGC series) - Smart Filtering: Focused purely on stunning celestial imagery—no administrative photos - Diverse Perspectives: Compare optical (Hubble), infrared (Webb), and ground-based (ESO) views Save & Share the Wonder - High-Resolution Downloads: Save breathtaking space wallpapers directly to your gallery - Contextual Sharing: Share images with friends via social media—text adapts to your language preference - Multi-Source Credits: Proper attribution to NASA, ESA, or ESO included Immersive Experience - Interactive Viewer: Zoom and pan to explore every stellar detail - Dark Mode UI: Sleek interface minimizing eye strain while viewing space imagery - Seamless Navigation: Browse across multiple archives effortlessly WHY ASTRO VIEWER? The universe is vast, but exploring it shouldn't be complicated. Astro Viewer combines the scientific depth of world-leading space agencies with the accessibility of modern translation technology. See the cosmos through Hubble's optical clarity, Webb's infrared vision, ESO's ground-based power, and NASA's exploration legacy—all in one app. It's not just a gallery; it's a comprehensive learning tool that brings the universe to your fingertips. Download Astro Viewer today and start your multi-telescope journey through the stars! DISCLAIMER This application is a third-party educational tool developed by an independent developer. It utilizes publicly available APIs from NASA, ESA (European Space Agency), and ESO (European Southern Observatory) to fetch astronomical images, but is NOT affiliated with, endorsed by, or an official product of NASA, ESA, or ESO. Data sources: - NASA's Open API (api.nasa.gov) - ESA/Hubble Space Telescope Archive (esahubble.org) - ESA/Webb Space Telescope Archive (esawebb.org) - ESO Public Image Archive (eso.org) According to their respective media usage guidelines, this content is generally available for educational and non-commercial use. Hubble and Webb are joint projects of NASA and ESA. ESO operates ground-based observatories in Chile.

About

OrbView

Visualize satellites, space stations, and debris in real-time from your location. Get predicted pass times, detailed orbital information, and log your sightings. Explore a 3D globe showing all objects in orbit.

Highlights
  • Live satellite tracking
  • Predicted pass times
  • 3D orbital globe
  • Object categorization
  • Customizable alerts
  • Sighting logging and badges
Features
Read full description

Look up at the right moment. OrbView turns your phone into a live window on everything orbiting overhead — the International Space Station, Starlink trains, rocket bodies, and hundreds of satellites you can see with your own eyes. No telescope. No jargon. Just open the app and find out what's crossing your sky tonight. SEE WHAT'S ABOVE YOU, LIVE • A real-time 3D globe shows satellites moving over your exact location right now. • Color-coded by type: the ISS, Starlink, weather and science satellites, rocket bodies, and more. • Tap any object to see where it is and where it's headed. KNOW EXACTLY WHEN TO LOOK UP • Your feed lists upcoming passes with countdowns, direction, and how bright each one will be. • The Sky Score tells you, at a glance, how good tonight's viewing is. • Spot the station and catch a Starlink train while they're actually visible. GET ALERTED BEFORE IT HAPPENS • Flag any pass and OrbView notifies you minutes before it crosses your sky. • Wake up to a morning Daylight Brief of the best passes coming tonight. • Never miss the ISS gliding over your backyard again. GO DEEPER • Full Intel cards tell the story behind every object — what it is, who launched it, and what it does. • Log the passes you spot, build a streak, and earn badges as you go. OrbView is free to use. Upgrade to Pro to remove ads, unlock pass alerts, and read Full Intel on every satellite. Satellite positions are calculated from public orbital (TLE) data. OrbView uses your location only to compute which passes are visible to you. Clear skies — see you out there. OrbView Pro is an optional auto-renewing subscription, billed monthly or yearly. Payment is charged to your Apple ID when you confirm your purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless you cancel at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You can manage or cancel it anytime in your App Store account settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://orbview.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://orbview.app/privacy

Screenshots

Astro Viewer4 screens
OrbView4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Astro Viewer at none against OrbView's 2. Astro Viewer also leads on ads (none vs shown). OrbView's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, device support and iOS requirement 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. OrbView sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Astro Viewer asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Astro Viewer ships an update every 4 months, OrbView every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Astro Viewer versus OrbView: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstro ViewerOrbView
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB45 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHeebok LeeFORTYNINE AND A HALF LABS, LLC

In-app purchases

None

Astro Viewer

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

OrbView

Subscriptions2
  • Flyby Pro$3.991 Month
  • Flyby Pro$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Astro Viewer free?
Astro Viewer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is OrbView free?
OrbView is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Astro Viewer or OrbView have ads?
OrbView shows ads; Astro Viewer does not.
Which is updated more often, Astro Viewer or OrbView?
Astro Viewer ships an update every 4 months, and OrbView every 3 weeks. Most recently, Astro Viewer was updated on September 29, 2026 and OrbView on October 18, 2026.

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