# StarParade vs Star Explorer

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: StarParade at 13.0 against Star Explorer's 17.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. StarParade sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Star Explorer sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

StarParade ships an update every 4 days, Star Explorer every 3 days. Both last shipped on October 25, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | StarParade | Star Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days | **Every 3 days** |
| Size | 25 MB | 23 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Tomohiko Onishi](https://appshunter.io/developer/1889063817) | [Beijing XingheBit Science & Technology Development Co., Ltd.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1882505330) |

## What reviewers say

### StarParade

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starparade-ar/id6761880239)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro プラン | $3.99 | one-time |


### Star Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/star-explorer-night-sky-map/id6799640893)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 云端 AI 月度订阅 | $1.99 | per month |
| 云端 AI 年度订阅 | $9.99 | per year |
| 观测工具永久解锁 | $3.99 | one-time |
| Star Explorer Pro 买断 | $6.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is StarParade free?

StarParade is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Star Explorer free?

Star Explorer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do StarParade or Star Explorer have ads?

Neither StarParade nor Star Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, StarParade or Star Explorer?

StarParade ships an update every 4 days, and Star Explorer every 3 days. Most recently, StarParade was updated on October 25, 2026 and Star Explorer on October 25, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*