Comparison

CosmicObserver vs COSMOS

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

CosmicObserver

Features
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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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

CosmicObserver4 screens
COSMOS4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
CosmicObserver versus COSMOS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCosmicObserverCOSMOS
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (4 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—4 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size187 MB8 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperYuichi Okunoyuudai tasaki

In-app purchases

1 purchases

CosmicObserver

One-time1
  • Cosmic Pass$4.99
3 purchases

COSMOS

One-time3
  • Support the Developer$1.99
  • Support the Developer$4.99
  • Support the Developer$9.99

Questions

Is CosmicObserver free?
CosmicObserver is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is COSMOS free?
COSMOS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CosmicObserver or COSMOS have ads?
Neither CosmicObserver nor COSMOS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CosmicObserver or COSMOS?
CosmicObserver ships an update every 10 days, and COSMOS every 2 weeks. Most recently, CosmicObserver was updated on November 5, 2026 and COSMOS on November 6, 2026.

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