Simple Orbit Simulator vs Cosmic Origins
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side ā with what reviewers say about each.
Simple Orbit Simulator
Read full descriptionHide full description
Simple Orbit Simulator brings the elegance of Einstein's general relativity to your fingertips. Watch two celestial bodies dance under the influence of gravity ā not as a textbook approximation, but as a true Schwarzschild geodesic simulation ā the same physics that governs real planets, stars, and black holes. Real Physics, Visually Beautiful Unlike typical orbit simulators that use Newtonian gravity, Simple Orbit Simulator traces actual curved-spacetime paths. Every orbit is a genuine geodesic of the Schwarzschild metric. The result: Mercury-style perihelion precession that slowly paints a rosette pattern on screen, gravitational time dilation that deepens as the planet plunges toward the star, and event horizon dynamics that are physically meaningful ā not just decorative. Black Hole Mode Switch to Black Hole Mode and watch a supermassive compact object warp the simulation. The event horizon, photon sphere, and innermost stable circular orbit (ISCO) become visible boundaries. Push the planet too close and it crosses the point of no return. Accretion disk glow and a dynamically warped spacetime grid make the physics viscerally tangible. Full 3D Orbits Tilt the orbital plane with the inclination slider and drag the canvas to rotate the camera freely. Horizontal drag changes the azimuth ā spinning the scene left and right. Vertical drag changes the elevation ā from a top-down view to edge-on. A circular orbit becomes an ellipse, a line, or a spiral rosette depending on your viewpoint. Physics is computed in full three-dimensional space. Live Relativistic Metrics Track real-time data as the simulation runs: ⢠Gravitational time dilation factor ⢠Accumulated proper time of the orbiting body ⢠Lorentz gamma factor ⢠Orbital velocity as a fraction of the speed of light ⢠Perihelion precession angle in degrees ⢠Orbits completed Explore and Experiment Adjust star mass, planet mass, and orbital distance with intuitive logarithmic sliders. See how increasing the star's mass deepens the gravitational well. Increase separation and watch relativistic precession shrink as GR effects fade with distance. Combine an inclined orbit with Black Hole Mode for a dramatic 3D plunge trajectory. Built for Clarity Every design decision prioritises understanding over complexity. The simulation uses scaled constants so relativistic effects are visible at screen scale ā preserving all qualitative behaviour predicted by general relativity in a form humans can actually see. Simple Orbit Simulator is for students, educators, curious minds, and anyone who has ever looked up at the night sky and wondered what holds it all together.
Cosmic Origins
Read full descriptionHide full description
Cosmic Origins is an interactive space and astronomy experience that explores the history of the universe ā from the Big Bang to galaxies, stars, planets, and constellations. Travel through major cosmic eras with immersive visuals, detailed explanations, and beautifully designed educational content. Discover how the universe formed, how stars created the elements, how galaxies evolved, and how our Solar System and Earth came to exist. Features: ⢠Explore the timeline of the universe ⢠Learn about galaxies, black holes, stars, and planets ⢠Discover famous constellations and their mythology ⢠Immersive cosmic visuals and atmospheric design ⢠Interactive educational modules ⢠Space quiz challenges to test your knowledge ⢠Beautifully crafted astronomy experience for all ages Whether you are curious about space, passionate about astronomy, or simply want to explore the cosmos, Cosmic Origins offers a visually rich journey through space and time.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Cosmic Origins at Free against Simple Orbit Simulator's $0.99. Cosmic Origins also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.2). Simple Orbit Simulator's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price Ā· Rating Ā· Positive reviews Ā· Number of ratings Ā· Update frequency Ā· Ads Ā· In-app purchases Ā· Monetization Ā· Best chart rank Ā· Devices Ā· Requires iOS
Cosmic Origins is free to download; Simple Orbit Simulator costs $0.99 up front. Cosmic Origins sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Simple Orbit Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Simple Orbit Simulator | Cosmic Origins |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free ā better |
| Update frequency | Every 5 days | ā |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No ā better | Yes |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod ā better |
| Requires iOS | 18.2 | 15.1 ā better |
| Further details ā not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 42 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bratislav Ljubisic | Ata Guneser |
In-app purchases
Simple Orbit Simulator
No in-app purchases
Cosmic Origins
- Premium Access$1.99
Questions
Is Simple Orbit Simulator free?
Is Cosmic Origins free?
Do Simple Orbit Simulator or Cosmic Origins have ads?
Other comparisons















