3D Star Map vs First Light
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!
First Light
Explore the universe's earliest light with real cosmic microwave background data. Pan across the oldest light in the universe, switch between satellites, and observe shifts in frequency bands. This educational app brings real science and cosmic history to your mobile device.
- Explore cosmic microwave background data
- Immersive sky exploration via phone movement
- Switch between COBE, WMAP, and Planck satellites
- Adjust frequency bands to see universe shifts
- Utilizes real scientific data
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Look up. What you're seeing isn't the night sky. It's the afterglow of the Big Bang, captured by three of the most important space missions ever launched. First Light turns real cosmic microwave background data from COBE, WMAP, and Planck into an immersive sky you can explore by simply moving your phone. Pan across the oldest light in the universe. Switch between satellites. Dial through frequency bands and watch the universe shift. This is real data. Real science. And it fits in your pocket.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: First Light at 5.0 against 3D Star Map's 4.4. 3D Star Map's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and ratings volume (9 vs 3). On price, review sentiment, update cadence 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
First Light holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 3 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.
3D Star Map ships an update every 2 weeks, First Light every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | 3D Star Map | First Light |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (9 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 100 MB | 75 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Alexander Winn | Thomas Sola |
Customer experience
3D Star Map
First Light
In-app purchases
3D Star Map
No in-app purchases
First Light
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is 3D Star Map free?
Is First Light free?
Which has better reviews, 3D Star Map or First Light?
Do 3D Star Map or First Light have ads?
Which is updated more often, 3D Star Map or First Light?
Other comparisons
