3D Star Map vs SkyCue
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 3D space exploration
- Over 700 local stars
- Detailed star information
- Zoom, rotate, and move
- Relaxing animations
- Educational content
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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!
SkyCue
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SkyCue is a beginner-first stargazing app for the moment when you look up and wonder what you are seeing. Point your iPhone at the night sky, let the app choose the centered object, and read one plain-English cue instead of opening a heavy astronomy encyclopedia. Made for campers, parents, walkers, and new observers: - Use Point Mode to identify a bright star or constellation area - Read one short explanation written for beginners - Browse a starter catalog of easy night-sky objects - See Tonight Quick Picks after unlocking - Save objects and recent identifications locally - Use a manual city instead of precise location if you prefer - Learn with bundled sky data, not live web pages or AI text - Home screen widget with the bright catalog stars above your horizon right now (medium size; extra-large size on iOS 27) - Sky objects in Spotlight search, plus a Shortcuts action to open the sky overhead SkyCue is intentionally narrow. It is not a full planetarium, astronomy news app, satellite tracker, telescope planner, or camera AR overlay. The widget projects the bundled star catalog for your location and does not show planet or Moon positions; above the horizon does not guarantee visibility in daylight or clouds. Location is optional and used only to calculate the visible sky. Saved objects stay on your device, and there is no account or cloud sync. The Lifetime Unlock adds the full v1 bright-object catalog, all constellation lines, complete beginner cues, Tonight Quick Picks, and saved objects. No subscription, no ads.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: 3D Star Map at none against SkyCue's 1. 3D Star Map also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 3 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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
Both are free to download. SkyCue sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. 3D Star Map asks for nothing beyond the download.
3D Star Map ships an update every 2 weeks, SkyCue every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 1, 2026 and September 29, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 3D Star Map | SkyCue |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (9 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 100 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Winn | Zcode |
In-app purchases
3D Star Map
No in-app purchases
SkyCue
- Lifetime Unlock$2.99
