Comparison

3D Solar System vs AR Orbits

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

Head to head
About

3D Solar System

Explore the solar system in 3D and augmented reality. Learn about planets, moons, stars, and constellations through interactive models, scientific facts, and engaging quizzes. Create your own planets with AI.

Highlights
  • 3D & AR Solar System models
  • Scientific facts about celestial bodies
  • Interactive star map
  • Engaging educational tasks and quizzes
  • AI-powered planet creation
Features
Read full description

Have you ever wanted to hold the Solar System in your hands? Now you can. 3D Solar System turns your device into a window to the planets, constellations, and stars beyond. Solar System in 3D and AR Travel from the Sun to the icy edge of deep space — a planetary journey of nearly 15 billion kilometers through our cosmic backyard. Study planets, moons, dwarf planets, and two major asteroid fields: the Asteroid Belt between Mars and Jupiter, and the Kuiper Belt beyond Neptune. See how tiny Earth looks next to Jupiter. Zoom in on planets' craters, spin Saturn's rings, and realize just how vast the universe really is. Interactive star map for passionate stargazers A complete map of the night sky with gyroscope support. Tilt your device toward the ceiling and explore constellations like a true space explorer — as if you were standing under a real night sky. Learn each constellation's name, its ancient stories, and the astronomy behind them. Learn to identify Orion, Ursa Major, Cassiopeia and discover dozens more. What you can do: ► Study planets — from scorched Mercury to icy Neptune — along with moons, dwarf planets, and bright constellations like a real astronomer. ► Test your knowledge with quizzes, planet order challenges, "True or False", and mythology questions. Learn who the planets are named after, how long a day lasts on Pluto, and what makes a star shine. ► Create your own planet using AI — design it, name it, and explore it. 714,000+ people have downloaded our app. To put that in perspective: that's 79 times more than all the stars you can see in the night sky with your own eyes. Some features may require a subscription. Free version includes: basic planet info, part of the constellation catalog, some quizzes and tests, star map, and AI planet generation (up to 2 planets). Subscription unlocks: full content about the Solar System, full constellation catalog, all quizzes and tests, planet cross-sections, unlimited AI planet generation. Every planet is different. Each constellation has a story. The universe is waiting — and it's bigger than you ever imagined. Explore all planets, learn every constellation, and become the space explorer you've always wanted to be. Start your journey through space today. Privacy Policy: http://educationterra.com/privacy Terms Of Use: https://educationterra.com/tos

About

AR Orbits

Explore the solar system and understand satellite mechanics through augmented reality. This app simplifies complex astrophysics concepts, allowing users to create and plot their own orbits, making rocket science accessible for learning and homework.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality exploration
  • Satellite mechanics simulation
  • Orbit plotting and creation
  • Astrophysics homework assistance
  • Solar system discovery
Features
Read full description

Have you ever wondered how satellites work? The phone or tablet you’re holding right now is connected to the internet via satellites, which help you navigate your car, track the weather, and discover new and exciting things about the solar system we live in. With AR Orbits, anyone can become a rocket scientist with the tap of a button. Learn how to plot and create your own orbits, or use the app to help you with your astrophysics homework. Explore a world of physics with AR Orbits.

Screenshots

3D Solar System4 screens
AR Orbits4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AR Orbits at 100% against 3D Solar System's 29%. AR Orbits also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 12). 3D Solar System's advantage is update cadence (fortnightly vs every 18 months) and ratings volume (1.7K vs 11). On price 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. 3D Solar System sells 12 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per 7 days. AR Orbits asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AR Orbits holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: 3D Solar System has 1.7K ratings behind it against 11, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 29% of 3D Solar System's written reviews are positive against 100% of AR Orbits's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

3D Solar System ships an update fortnightly, AR Orbits every 18 months. The most recent releases landed on September 30, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
3D Solar System versus AR Orbits: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter3D Solar SystemAR Orbits
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (1.7K ratings)4.9 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1.7K — better11
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 18 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.013.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size347 MB58 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEducation TerraTurner Thornberry

Customer experience

3D Solar System

All ratings1,689 ratings
Positive85.0%
Neutral4.7%
Negative10.3%
Written reviews155 reviews
Positive29.0%
Neutral5.2%
Negative65.8%

AR Orbits

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

3D Solar System

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Planets displayed incorrectly
  • Subscription charges without consent
  • Inability to cancel subscription

Requested features

4 requests
  • More free content and features
  • Realistic planet models and animations
  • Expanded content beyond the solar system
  • Improved accessibility and usability

AR Orbits

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

12 purchases

3D Solar System

Subscriptions10
  • 1 Week Subscription$7.997 Days
  • 1 Month PRO3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • 1 month Sale2 Months trial$10.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • 12 months sale3 Days trial$14.991 Year
  • 6 months$19.996 Months
  • Astronomy guide - Sky atlas$19.991 Month
  • 12 months3 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Astronomy guide - Sky atlas3 Days trial$29.993 Months
  • 2 Month Subscription3 Days trial$29.992 Months
  • 2 Months Subscription3 Days trial$39.992 Months
One-time2
  • Disable Ads Sale$9.99
  • Disable Ads$19.99
None

AR Orbits

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is 3D Solar System free?
3D Solar System is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AR Orbits free?
AR Orbits is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, 3D Solar System or AR Orbits?
AR Orbits is rated higher. 3D Solar System averages 4.4 out of 5 from 1.7K ratings, while AR Orbits averages 4.9 from 11 ratings.
Do 3D Solar System or AR Orbits have ads?
3D Solar System shows ads; AR Orbits does not.
Which is updated more often, 3D Solar System or AR Orbits?
3D Solar System ships an update fortnightly, and AR Orbits every 18 months. Most recently, 3D Solar System was updated on September 30, 2026 and AR Orbits on June 1, 2026.

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