HandyPlanet vs CosmicObserver
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
HandyPlanet
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Bring the solar system to your fingertips in vivid 3D. Choose a planet—Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus, or Mercury—tap to view it as a rotatable globe, and explore short facts about size, distance from the Sun, day and year length, and moons. A simple, educational way for anyone to discover the planets.
CosmicObserver
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CosmicObserver lets you travel real planets — of our solar system and beyond — from an observer's first-person view. You don't pilot a ship; you drift through space with your gaze and fingertips. Lock onto stars and planets, approach, scan, and record what you observe — space as a journey, not a catalog. ■ Features ・Real astronomical bodies based on public data ・FPS view with a virtual stick for free drifting ・Scientific honesty: observed / estimated / artistic values marked by color and label ・A "Cosmic Passport" and discovery collection ・A daily destination to gently explore the cosmos ■ Cosmic Pass (one-time purchase) The solar system is free. Cosmic Pass — a single one-time purchase — unlocks all star systems, exoplanets, unlimited dailies, and the frontier beyond. Note: Exoplanet surfaces are estimations/artistic renderings, not photographs. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by NASA. ■ In-App Purchase Cosmic Pass is a one-time purchase. There is no subscription, nothing renews, and there is nothing to cancel. After a new device or a reinstall, use "Restore purchases" on the Cosmic Pass screen or in Settings with the same Apple Account. Family Sharing is supported. Privacy Policy: https://www.rulagems.org/privacy/cosmicobserver/ Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.rulagems.org/terms/cosmicobserver/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: HandyPlanet at none against CosmicObserver's 1. CosmicObserver's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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
Both are free to download. CosmicObserver sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. HandyPlanet asks for nothing beyond the download.
HandyPlanet ships an update every 6 weeks, CosmicObserver every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.
| Parameter | HandyPlanet | CosmicObserver |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 18.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 58 MB | 226 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ARAKAKI CAIO DAISUKE | Yuichi Okuno |
In-app purchases
HandyPlanet
No in-app purchases
CosmicObserver
- Cosmic Pass$4.99
Questions
Is HandyPlanet free?
Is CosmicObserver free?
Do HandyPlanet or CosmicObserver have ads?
Which is updated more often, HandyPlanet or CosmicObserver?
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