# Surface Explorer vs Fractal Navigator

The clearest difference is update cadence: Fractal Navigator at every 3 days against Surface Explorer's every 2 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Surface Explorer ships an update every 2 weeks, Fractal Navigator every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Surface Explorer | Fractal Navigator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | **Every 3 days** |
| Size | 62 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [GAETANO MOSCHETTI](https://appshunter.io/developer/6787015299) | [Colin Rooney](https://appshunter.io/developer/1838817479) |

## What reviewers say

### Surface Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surface-explorer/id6787015297)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Fractal Navigator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fractal-navigator/id6803297206)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Surface Explorer free?

Surface Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Fractal Navigator free?

Fractal Navigator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Surface Explorer or Fractal Navigator have ads?

Neither Surface Explorer nor Fractal Navigator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Surface Explorer or Fractal Navigator?

Surface Explorer ships an update every 2 weeks, and Fractal Navigator every 3 days. Most recently, Surface Explorer was updated on November 5, 2026 and Fractal Navigator on October 29, 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.*