# Micro Fi vs GLOBE Observer

The clearest difference is rating: Micro Fi at 4.3 against GLOBE Observer's 3.1. Micro Fi also leads on review sentiment (75% vs 34%) and iOS requirement (8.1 vs 13.0). GLOBE Observer's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 44 months) and ratings volume (86 vs 4). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

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

Micro Fi holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: GLOBE Observer has 86 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Micro Fi's written reviews are positive against 34% of GLOBE Observer's.

Micro Fi ships an update every 44 months, GLOBE Observer every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 15, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Micro Fi | GLOBE Observer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.3 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/micro-fi/id818703782/reviews)** | [3.1 (86 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **86** |
| Positive reviews | **75.0% of reviews** | 33.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 44 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 9 MB | 5 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.1** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Celestron, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/445142854) | [NASA](https://appshunter.io/developer/355542146) |

## What reviewers say

### Micro Fi

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/micro-fi/id818703782)

This application connects to a specialized handheld microscope, allowing users to view magnified images on their mobile devices. It facilitates exploration and discovery of the microscopic world directly from a smartphone or tablet.

**Highlights:** Connects to Wi-Fi enabled microscopes, View magnified images on mobile, Explore the microscopic world, User-friendly interface

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### GLOBE Observer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/globe-observer/id1090456751)

Contribute to real scientific research by making environmental observations. Document clouds, mosquito habitats, land cover, and trees using your mobile device. Your data supports scientists worldwide, including NASA and NOAA.

**Highlights:** Make environmental observations, Document clouds, Map mosquito habitats, Record land cover, Measure tree height, Contribute to scientific research

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for citizen science
- 💡 Educational and informative
- 👍 Easy to use (for some)
- 👍 Meaningful environmental measurements
- 👍 Fun and engaging

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 Login/update issues
- 🐛 Account creation problems
- 🐛 Observations not submitting
- 🐛 Poor UI/UX design

**Reported bugs**

- Checking for updates loop
- 504 error on account creation
- Fails after step 5 in account creation
- Robot verification loop
- App crashes on opening

**Requested features**

- Improve UI/UX design
- Add dark mode
- Better translation
- Notifications for satellite flyovers
- Integrate with WorldView or Google Earth


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Micro Fi free?

Micro Fi is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is GLOBE Observer free?

GLOBE Observer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Micro Fi or GLOBE Observer?

Micro Fi is rated higher. Micro Fi averages 4.3 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while GLOBE Observer averages 3.1 from 86 ratings.

### Do Micro Fi or GLOBE Observer have ads?

Neither Micro Fi nor GLOBE Observer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Micro Fi or GLOBE Observer?

Micro Fi ships an update every 44 months, and GLOBE Observer every 2 months. Most recently, Micro Fi was updated on October 15, 2026 and GLOBE Observer on October 15, 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.*