Comparison

Cosmic vs Orbital Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Cosmic

Explore the cosmos with this app that offers interactive tools for celestial navigation and astronomical observation. Visualize the sky, Earth, and solar system from multiple perspectives, and discover constellations, planets, and events in augmented reality. It's a blend of ancient wisdom and modern technology for a deeper connection to the universe.

Highlights
  • Multiple celestial perspectives (sky, Earth, solar system)
  • Augmented reality sky exploration
  • Interactive astronomical and world clocks
  • Visualized natal charts (Western, Vedic, Sidereal)
  • Day/night cycles on Earth globe
  • Celestial navigation guides
  • Notifications for astronomical events
Features
Read full description

The sky above you, the Earth beneath you, the solar system you move through space. Three perspectives no other app combines this way. For thousands of years humans read the sky to measure time, navigate the Earth, and find meaning in their existence. Astronomy, astrology, and timekeeping were one science. Cosmic Watch reunites them. Free for the first time in ten years. FEATURES (core) • Sky View — stars, planets, and constellations • Earth View — day and night cycle, the cosmos around it • Solar System — geocentric and heliocentric • Celestial sphere — full 360° sky overview, unique to this app • Astrology Mode — Western, Vedic and 3D • Retrograde motion across all planets • World clock and astronomical events • Notifications for eclipses, solstices, and moon cycles • Celestial navigation — orient yourself by the sky Or just watch the Earth float in space and remember where you are. Free to explore. The three views, sky guide, every layer, star names, world clock, and notifications are yours from the first open. Tools and Time Control unlock with a subscription — or forever with Cosmic Pro. Keep the project alive and growing. We read every message you send us. TOOLS (in-app purchase) • Moon Calendar • Real-Time Clouds • Meteor Showers • Comets • Planetary Aspects • Retrograde Year • Dreamspell Calendar • Atmosphere Clockface • Save Date / Time / Location • Time Control — move forward and back, any moment A full app. Not a widget or watch face, yet. Runs on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Silicon Mac Privacy committed: No account required. Analytics never shared. Webby Award for Best Educational App 2018. New York Times. Wired. Space.com. By a Chi Gong master and an animation artist. Still looking up. Time is the Cosmic Rhythm. Terms of Use: https://cosmic-watch.com/termsOfService/ Privacy Policy: https://cosmic-watch.com/privacyPolicy/

About

Orbital Simulator

Explore orbital mechanics through interactive simulations and real-time solar system data. Learn about Kepler's Laws, practice orbital maneuvers, and engage in mission objectives. Ideal for students and space enthusiasts.

Highlights
  • Interactive orbital simulations
  • Kepler's Laws visualization
  • Orbital maneuver practice
  • Real-time solar system view
  • Customizable orbital parameters
  • Detailed educational content
  • Mission-based challenges
Features
Read full description

Embark on an interactive journey through space with Orbital Simulator: Explore. This comprehensive app is designed to educate and engage users of all levels, from space enthusiasts to students, offering a deep dive into the fascinating world of orbital mechanics. Key Features: Interactive Simulations: Experiment with circular, elliptical, and hyperbolic orbits. See how changing parameters like semi-major axis, eccentricity, and inclination affect trajectories. Kepler’s Laws: Visualize and understand Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion with clear, interactive simulations. Orbital Maneuvers: Practice key maneuvers such as Hohmann transfers, Lambert transfers, and circularizations. Learn how these maneuvers are used in real space missions. Real-Time Solar System: View real-time positions of planets and moons within our solar system. Understand how celestial bodies interact and move over time. Customizable Parameters: Adjust orbital parameters and see the immediate effects on your spacecraft's trajectory. Experiment with different scenarios and learn through hands-on experience. Educational Content: Access detailed explanations, tutorials, and guides designed to enhance your understanding of space mechanics and celestial navigation. Dynamic Environment: Navigate complex gravitational fields in various scenarios, including binary star systems and multi-body interactions. Mission Objectives: Engage in missions that challenge you to establish orbits, perform transfers, and navigate through dynamic environments. Each mission helps you apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios. Visual Trajectory Paths: Visualize the path of your spacecraft with real-time trajectory lines. Understand the impact of your maneuvers and improve your navigation skills. Why Choose Orbital Simulator: Explore? For Space Enthusiasts and Students: Whether you’re a budding astronomer or a seasoned space enthusiast, this app offers valuable insights and engaging content for all levels. Educational Tool: Ideal for classroom settings or individual study, providing interactive and immersive learning experiences. User-Friendly Interface: Intuitive controls and clear visuals make it easy to understand complex concepts. Constant Updates: We continuously update the app with new features, scenarios, and educational content to keep your learning experience fresh and relevant. Download Orbital Simulator: Explore now and embark on your journey through the stars. Master the art of orbital mechanics, explore the intricacies of celestial navigation, and experience the wonder of the cosmos. Join a community of space enthusiasts and students who are exploring the universe, one orbit at a time. Ready to become an orbital mechanic? Your adventure starts here!

Screenshots

Cosmic4 screens
Orbital Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Orbital Simulator at none against Cosmic's 6. Orbital Simulator also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). Cosmic's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (636 vs 6). On price, rating and device support 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. Cosmic sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Orbital Simulator asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Orbital Simulator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Cosmic has 636 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cosmic ships an update every 6 months, Orbital Simulator fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Cosmic versus Orbital Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCosmicOrbital Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (636 ratings)5.0 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews86.8% of reviews—
Number of ratings636 — better6
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size194 MB247 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperCelestial Dynamics AGRenzo Macedo

Customer experience

Cosmic

All ratings624 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews152 reviews
Positive86.8%
Neutral3.9%
Negative9.2%

Orbital Simulator

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Cosmic

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Date and time not accurately reflected in the solar system view
  • Inconsistent behavior when switching between different modes and settings
  • Difficulty in maintaining user preferences across sessions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add an alarm feature to wake up to different celestial views
  • Implement support for Apple Watch and other wearables
  • Provide more options to customize the display and information layers
  • Include a night mode or dimmer setting for better visibility in low light
  • Integrate with other astronomy apps and tools for a more comprehensive experience

Orbital Simulator

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Cosmic

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly Plan$0.991 Month
  • Monthly$2.991 Month
  • Yearly Plan$4.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly$24.991 Year
One-time2
  • Tools Pack$2.99
  • Cosmic Pro$69.99
None

Orbital Simulator

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Cosmic free?
Cosmic is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Orbital Simulator free?
Orbital Simulator is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Cosmic or Orbital Simulator?
Orbital Simulator is rated higher. Cosmic averages 4.8 out of 5 from 636 ratings, while Orbital Simulator averages 5.0 from 6 ratings.
Do Cosmic or Orbital Simulator have ads?
Orbital Simulator shows ads; Cosmic does not.
Which is updated more often, Cosmic or Orbital Simulator?
Cosmic ships an update every 6 months, and Orbital Simulator fortnightly. Most recently, Cosmic was updated on October 26, 2026 and Orbital Simulator on October 22, 2026.

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