Comparison

Orbit vs Refraktor

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

Head to head
About

Orbit

This app is a meditative physics puzzler where you launch planets to create stable orbits around black holes. Explore a variety of levels, create your own challenges in a sandbox mode, and enjoy a visually artistic and relaxing experience.

Highlights
  • Gravity simulation puzzles
  • Create stable orbits
  • Sandbox mode for level creation
  • Community-created levels
  • Visual orbital mechanics
  • Minimalist graphics and relaxing music
Features
Read full description

ORBIT is a gravity simulator at the heart of a puzzle game. Launch planets with a flick of your finger, and try to get them into stable orbits around black holes. Can you make enough orbits to progress to the next level? New: ORBIT now features a Sandbox (paid) where you can create your own levels! Control time, disable collisions, and paint with gravity. Publish your creations to the world for everyone to play. • 45 free levels, with new mechanics are introduced over time — like repulsive black holes and planets with their own gravity that attract each other • Play community-created levels — virtually limitless content made by other players, all completely free • Launch as many planets as you like, and watch the mesmerizing orbital mechanics unfold • Planets leave colored traces, so that at the end of a level you will have created a beautiful piece of art • See the future trajectory of a planet before you launch it • Play in an environment of smooth, minimalist graphics while listening to relaxing classical piano Follow on Twitter: https://twitter.com/highkeygames Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/highkeygames

About

Refraktor

Read full description

Refraktor is a hypnotic neon match-3 puzzle where every move sends light cascading through a board of luminous crystals. Match gems of the same color and shape to clear the board before your moves run out. As levels grow harder, you'll need to think fast, combo deep, and spend your boosters wisely.

Screenshots

Orbit4 screens
Refraktor4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Refraktor at weekly against Orbit's every 2 months. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Orbit sells 7 one-off in-app purchases and Refraktor sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Orbit ships an update every 2 months, Refraktor weekly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Orbit versus Refraktor: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOrbitRefraktor
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (7.6K ratings) — better—
Positive reviews94.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings7.6K — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsWeekly — better
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size137 MB17 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHIGHKEY GamesRaymond Cardenas

Bugs and requests

Orbit

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • In app purchase not received
  • Sandbox mode not working
  • Game crashing and unable to open

Requested features

6 requests
  • Dark mode option
  • Ability to zoom in and out
  • Ability to rotate the game to landscape on iPad
  • Ability to edit and move existing objects in sandbox mode
  • Ability to name planets and add moons
Show 1 more
  • More levels and game modes

Refraktor

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

Orbit

One-time7
  • $1 contribution$0.99
  • Remove ads$0.99
  • $2 contribution$1.99
Show 4 more
  • $3 contribution$2.99
  • Unlock Sandbox (and remove ads)$2.99
  • $5 contribution$4.99
  • $10 contribution$9.99
6 purchases

Refraktor

One-time6
  • Pouch of Gems$0.99
  • Sack of Gems$1.99
  • Rescue Bundle$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Chest of Gems$4.99
  • Premium Pass$4.99
  • Vault of Gems$9.99

Questions

Is Orbit free?
Orbit is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Refraktor free?
Refraktor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Orbit or Refraktor have ads?
Both Orbit and Refraktor show ads.
Which is updated more often, Orbit or Refraktor?
Orbit ships an update every 2 months, and Refraktor weekly. Most recently, Orbit was updated on October 17, 2026 and Refraktor on October 17, 2026.

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