Comparison

Heliosphere vs 3D Star Map

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

Head to head
About

Heliosphere

Explore a real-time 3D simulation of the solar system, planets, moons, and spacecraft using accurate astronomical data. Learn about celestial bodies and space missions with educational content and quizzes.

Highlights
  • Real-time 3D solar system simulation
  • Live spacecraft tracking
  • Deep sky exploration
  • Comprehensive astronomy education
  • Time travel from 1900 to 2100
  • Planet-centric viewing mode
Features
Read full description

Explore the solar system at your fingertips. Heliosphere is a real-time 3D solar system simulation powered by NASA JPL Horizons data. It accurately recreates the orbits of planets, moons, comets, and dwarf planets while tracking the real positions of active spacecraft. * Real-time 3D Solar System Simulation — 8 planets, 5 dwarf planets, 10+ moons, and 4 comets — Precise Keplerian orbit calculations based on real astronomical data — Time travel from 1900 to 2100 — Pan, zoom, and rotate for a free-roaming perspective — Switch to planet-centric viewing mode * Live Spacecraft Tracking — Voyager 1, 2 | Pioneer 10, 11 — Cassini | Juno | New Horizons | Parker Solar Probe — Real position data from NASA JPL Horizons API * Deep Sky Exploration — Over 150 bright stars — 530 Milky Way stars — 124 deep-sky objects (Messier, NGC/IC catalogs) * Comprehensive Astronomy Education — 6 difficulty levels from middle school to graduate — Core concepts: Kepler's Laws, gravity, escape velocity, and more — Mission timelines for Voyager, Cassini, New Horizons, and others — 60+ quiz questions to test your knowledge — Historical space event date-guessing challenges * Free for Everyone — All content available at no cost — No ads — 11 languages supported Experience the beauty of the cosmos and the wonder of science through scientifically accurate data and intuitive interaction.

About

3D Star Map

Explore over 700 stars in our local star cluster in a 3D space simulation. Zoom, rotate, and learn about neighboring star systems with detailed information available on tap. Perfect for research or satisfying cosmic curiosity.

Highlights
  • 3D space exploration
  • Over 700 local stars
  • Detailed star information
  • Zoom, rotate, and move
  • Relaxing animations
  • Educational content
Features
Read full description

Explore the local cluster with over 700 stars around our Sun! Zoom, rotate, and move through the 3D space surrounding our solar system, and learn about our neighboring star systems. Tap on a star for detailed information about it, or just wander through space with beautiful and relaxing animations. Whether you're using it for research or just to feed your insatiable curiosity, the 3D Star Map is here to help you learn more about our place in the universe!

Screenshots

Heliosphere4 screens
3D Star Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: 3D Star Map at 100% against Heliosphere's 50%. 3D Star Map also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.0) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Heliosphere's advantage is update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 weeks). On price, ads, monetization model 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

Both are free to download. Heliosphere sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. 3D Star Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

3D Star Map holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Star Map has 10 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Heliosphere's written reviews are positive against 100% of 3D Star Map's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Heliosphere ships an update every 3 days, 3D Star Map every 2 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Heliosphere versus 3D Star Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHeliosphere3D Star Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings)4.5 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings210 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Vision ProiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS18.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB100 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCHUNGKIL KIMAlexander Winn

Customer experience

Heliosphere

All ratings2 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

3D Star Map

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Heliosphere

One-time3
  • 1 Coffee$2.99
  • 3 Coffees$8.99
  • 5 Coffees$14.99
None

3D Star Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Heliosphere free?
Heliosphere is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 3D Star Map free?
3D Star Map is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Heliosphere or 3D Star Map?
3D Star Map is rated higher. Heliosphere averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while 3D Star Map averages 4.5 from 10 ratings.
Do Heliosphere or 3D Star Map have ads?
Neither Heliosphere nor 3D Star Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Heliosphere or 3D Star Map?
Heliosphere ships an update every 3 days, and 3D Star Map every 2 weeks. Most recently, Heliosphere was updated on October 24, 2026 and 3D Star Map on October 24, 2026.

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