CosmicObserver vs COSMOS
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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/
COSMOS
Explore a real-time 3D model of the solar system with accurate planetary positions and photo-realistic textures. Control time to view past or future celestial events and learn about planets and moons. This app is free and works offline.
- Real-time planetary orbits
- Photo-realistic textures
- Time control for past/future viewing
- Free and offline functionality
- Detailed planet information
- Exploration via pinch and swipe
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COSMOS is a solar system you hold in your hand. This is not a decoration. Every planet sits exactly where it is right now, computed from real orbital mechanics. Where is Jupiter tonight? How are Saturn's rings tilted? Open the app — the answer is there. - REAL ORBITS Positions of all 8 planets and the Moon are computed from Keplerian orbital elements in real time. Scrub through time to see the sky 10 years from now — or the day you were born. - PHOTO-REAL TEXTURES Saturn's rings, Jupiter's Great Red Spot, sunspots and solar granulation — every texture is generated on your device and stays crisp as you zoom. - CONTROL TIME From one second = hours, to one second = years. Watch the Moon change phase and the planets trace their orbits with your own eyes. - EXPLORE FREELY Pinch and swipe from outside the solar system down to a planet's face. Tap any body for details. - FREE FOR EVERYONE - Every feature is free — nothing locked behind a paywall - Just a small banner ad, never covering the view - Works offline, on a plane or on a mountain - Enjoying COSMOS? Leave an optional tip to support development For curious kids asking "why?" For stargazers who want a quiet moment of awe. The real universe, in your pocket. LANGUAGES English, Japanese, Simplified Chinese, Korean, Spanish, French, German
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: COSMOS at 15.0 against CosmicObserver's 18.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 and COSMOS sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
CosmicObserver ships an update every 10 days, COSMOS every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CosmicObserver | COSMOS |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (4 ratings) — better |
| Number of ratings | — | 4 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 187 MB | 8 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Yuichi Okuno | yuudai tasaki |
In-app purchases
CosmicObserver
- Cosmic Pass$4.99
COSMOS
- Support the Developer$1.99
- Support the Developer$4.99
- Support the Developer$9.99









