# DLR_next vs Behind the Stars

The clearest difference is update cadence: Behind the Stars at every 2 months against DLR_next's every 4 months. Behind the Stars also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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.

DLR_next ships an update every 4 months, Behind the Stars every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | DLR_next | Behind the Stars |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dlr-next/id871094282/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **1** | — |
| Positive reviews | — | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 38 MB | 255 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [DLR German Aerospace Center e.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/418202933) | [Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden](https://appshunter.io/developer/369556513) |

## What reviewers say

### DLR_next

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dlr-next/id871094282)

Explore the cosmos with interactive features about the International Space Station and the night sky. Track the ISS's live position, find upcoming visible passes, and use your phone as a mobile observatory to identify stars and planets.

**Highlights:** Live ISS position tracking, Upcoming ISS pass predictions, Mobile star observatory, Identify stars and planets, Detailed information on bright stars, Interactive 3D ISS map

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Behind the Stars

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/behind-the-stars/id1600998614)

Explore the cosmos with historical astronomical instruments. Learn to use a nocturnal, sundial, celestial globe, and astrolabe to understand celestial movements. Features guided units and an exploration mode for hands-on learning.

**Highlights:** Historical astronomical instruments, Learn to use nocturnal, sundial, celestial globe, astrolabe, Apply instruments to real sky, 20 guided learning units, Exploration Mode, Understand celestial movements

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is DLR_next free?

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

### Is Behind the Stars free?

Behind the Stars is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do DLR_next or Behind the Stars have ads?

Neither DLR_next nor Behind the Stars shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, DLR_next or Behind the Stars?

DLR_next ships an update every 4 months, and Behind the Stars every 2 months. Most recently, DLR_next was updated on November 1, 2026 and Behind the Stars on November 3, 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.*