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Best Universe Explorer App

188+ iOS apps & games curated and reviewed

4.5 avg rating
14 free apps & games
Updated July 2026

Out of 188+ universe explorer app on iOS, 14 are free and the rest sit in the paid tier. This page sorts them so you can compare both sides before you commit.

Compare top Universe Explorer App (July 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1SkyView®SkyView®$2.994.6★ (7.7K)NoNoAug 2026
2Universe Website BuilderUniverse Website BuilderFree4.5★ (9.8K)YesYesAug 2026
3SkyView® LiteSkyView® LiteFree4.5★ (19K)YesYesAug 2026
4Dust to Cosmos: Universe ScaleDust to Cosmos: Universe ScaleFree4.8★ (6)NoYesAug 2026
5Skyview : Explore UniverseSkyview : Explore UniverseFree4.6★ (323)NoYesAug 2026
6Universe in a NutshellUniverse in a Nutshell$2.994.9★ (2.5K)NoNoAug 2026
7Solar Walk: Space Simulator 3DSolar Walk: Space Simulator 3D$4.994.7★ (8.1K)NoYesAug 2026
8NASANASAFree4.8★ (64K)NoNoAug 2026

Top Picks for Universe Explorer App

SkyView®#1

SkyView® by Terminal Eleven LLC

Explore the Universe
Editor's Choice
📚 Education
4.6😊(7.7K ratings)
$2.99
#2in Education
SkyView® screenshot 1
SkyView® screenshot 2
SkyView® screenshot 3
SkyView® screenshot 4
SkyView® screenshot 5

Identify stars, constellations, planets, and satellites by simply pointing your device at the sky. This app uses augmented reality to guide you and provides information on celestial objects, upcoming events, and even allows you to travel through time to view the sky on different dates.

What We Love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🔭 Helpful for stargazing and identifying celestial objects
  • 🌌 Provides a lot of information about the night sky
  • 🎶 Relaxing background music

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Calibration issues and inaccurate compass
  • 🤷‍♀️ Missing some celestial objects like comets and the James Webb Space Telescope
  • 🌌 Constellation overlays can be obstructive
Universe Website Builder#2

Universe Website Builder by Universe Exploration Company

Custom store and website maker
Strong Contender
📊 Productivity
4.5😐(9.8K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
Universe Website Builder screenshot 1
Universe Website Builder screenshot 2
Universe Website Builder screenshot 3
Universe Website Builder screenshot 4
Universe Website Builder screenshot 5
Universe Website Builder screenshot 6

Build a professional website or online store quickly and easily with a drag-and-drop interface. Publish to a custom domain and accept payments in minutes. Includes tools for design, commerce, audience management, and AI-powered content creation.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Intuitive interface
  • 🚀 Convenient mobile-first design
  • 👍 Affordable pricing

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🔒 Concerns over domain ownership
  • 💰 Expensive pro features
SkyView® Lite#3

SkyView® Lite by Terminal Eleven LLC

Explore the Universe
Worth Considering
📚 Education
4.5😊(19K ratings)
FreeAdsIn-App Purchases
#73in Education
SkyView® Lite screenshot 1
SkyView® Lite screenshot 2
SkyView® Lite screenshot 3
SkyView® Lite screenshot 4

Identify stars, constellations, satellites, and more by simply pointing your device at the sky. This augmented reality app makes stargazing accessible to everyone, day or night. Explore celestial paths and even travel through time to view the sky on different dates.

What We Love

  • 🌟 Accurate star and planet tracking
  • 👍 Easy to use and navigate
  • 🔭 Helpful for learning about the night sky
  • 💫 Engaging and educational for all ages

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Compass/location issues causing inaccurate positioning
  • 🔍 Limited free features, many paid upgrades
  • 🤔 Confusing for some users to understand how it works

More Universe Explorer App apps to explore

4
Dust to Cosmos: Universe Scale
Dust to Cosmos: Universe Scale
Dust to Cosmos: Universe Scale
Explore Space Honestly
Free

Explore the vastness of the universe in an immersive 3D experience. Discover celestial objects, understand their scientific context, and grasp cosmic scale with honest data representation.

Explore 10,000+ celestial objectsNavigate 3D solar systemsInspect scientific data and sources
📚 Education
(6)
free
5
Skyview : Explore Universe
Skyview : Explore Universe
Skyview : Explore Universe
Gateway to Exploring Universe
Free

Explore the cosmos with this planetarium app. Identify planets, stars, and constellations by pointing your device at the sky. Discover celestial object locations, visualize Earth's day/night zones, and learn detailed information about celestial bodies. Includes an interactive space quiz for premium users.

Identify planets, stars, and constellationsReal-time stargazingInteractive star map
📚 Education
(323)
free with in-app purchases
6
Universe in a Nutshell
Universe in a Nutshell
Universe in a Nutshell
by Kurzgesagt & Wait But Why
$2.99

Explore the vastness of the universe, from subatomic particles to distant galaxies, through an interactive, swipe-based journey. Understand true scale by comparing objects and discover fascinating facts about over 250 animated illustrations. Immerse yourself in the cosmos with original music.

Interactive scale explorationSeamless zooming from 10^-35m to 10^26mFun facts about objects
📚 Education
(2.5K)
free
7
Solar Walk: Space Simulator 3D
Solar Walk: Space Simulator 3D
Solar Walk: Space Simulator 3D
Explore Our Galaxy & Universe
$4.99

Explore a detailed 3D model of our solar system and the universe. Interact with planets, moons, and satellites, and take virtual flights through space. Travel through time to see the universe's past and learn with educational movies.

Interactive 3D solar system modelVirtual flights between celestial bodiesTime travel feature for historical views
📚 Education
(8.1K)
free with in-app purchases
8
NASA
NASA
NASA
by NASA
Free

Explore the universe with access to live and on-demand NASA+ videos, a vast collection of stunning images, and the latest mission news. Discover interactive augmented reality experiences and track the International Space Station's path.

NASA+ video streaming21,000+ NASA imagesLatest NASA news
📚 Education
(64K)
free
9
My Little Universe
My Little Universe
My Little Universe
Mine and Craft your own planet
Free

Engage in a casual worldbuilding adventure where you mine, craft, and build your own planet. Defend your creation from primeval monsters using a pickaxe and various crafted weapons. Explore diverse environments and develop industrial facilities to expand your planetary paradise.

Worldbuilding and planet creationResource mining and gatheringCrafting and industrial facilities
🎮 Games
(179K)
free with in-app purchases
10
Solar Walk 2 Ads+：The Universe
Solar Walk 2 Ads+：The Universe
Solar Walk 2 Ads+：The Universe
Solar System, Space Simulator
Free

Explore our Solar system with a detailed 3D model and interactive encyclopedia. Discover celestial events, track space missions, and view realistic models of spacecraft. This app offers a unique space experience with stunning visuals and up-to-date astronomy news.

3D Solar system modelInteractive space encyclopediaAstronomy calendar
🔍 Reference
(6.7K)
free with in-app purchases
11
Prof Brian Cox's Universe
Prof Brian Cox's Universe
Prof Brian Cox's Universe
by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
$1.99

Embark on a 3D journey through the cosmos guided by Professor Brian Cox. Explore planets, galaxies, and celestial phenomena with interactive articles, videos, and stunning visuals. Discover the wonders of the universe from sub-atomic particles to its furthest reaches.

3D Universe explorationInteractive articlesBBC video content
🔍 Reference
(55)
paid
12
Pocket Galaxy: Space Sandbox
Pocket Galaxy: Space Sandbox
Pocket Galaxy: Space Sandbox
Solar System Simulator 3D
$3.99

Design and simulate your own solar systems and galaxies with realistic physics. Customize planets, stars, and orbits, then share your creations. Features smooth 3D graphics and a user-friendly interface.

3D galaxy sandboxRealistic physics simulationPlanet and star customization
🎮 Games
(9.9K)
free
13
SkySafari 7 Pro
SkySafari 7 Pro
SkySafari 7 Pro
Astronomy Guide To Night Sky
$17.99
$29.99 | 40% OFF

Explore the night sky with an extensive astronomy database and advanced planning tools. Discover astronomical events, control your telescope, and connect with other stargazers in real-time.

Extensive celestial object databaseAdvanced event finderTelescope control (ASCOM Alpaca, INDI, StarSense)
🔍 Reference
(5.4K)
free with in-app purchases
14
TerraGenesis - Space Settlers
TerraGenesis - Space Settlers
TerraGenesis - Space Settlers
Terraform Universe Planets
Free

Simulate the terraforming of planets using real scientific principles. Cultivate life, manage resources, and build civilizations on various worlds, from our solar system to fictional planets and moons. Encounter alien life and defend your settlements from cosmic threats.

Idle planet building simulatorReal science from NASATerraform planets and moons
🎮 Games
(33K)
free with in-app purchases
15
Purple Pink Space Explorer
Purple Pink Space Explorer
Purple Pink Space Explorer
Explore and learn in universe!
Free

Embark on an educational journey through the cosmos with interactive games designed to teach children about space, planets, and logic. Explore celestial bodies, meet friendly aliens, and discover hidden surprises in a fun, open-ended environment.

Space and solar system exploration8 educational mini-gamesLogic, numbers, and geometry puzzles
📚 Education
(398)
free with in-app purchases
16
Pocket Universe Classic
Pocket Universe Classic
Pocket Universe Classic
by John Kennedy
Free

Explore the cosmos with this classic astronomy application. It offers a straightforward way to view celestial bodies and learn about space. Designed for users who prefer a no-frills, original experience.

Classic astronomy interfaceView celestial bodiesLearn about space
📚 Education
(13)
free
17
Moon Pioneer
Moon Pioneer
Moon Pioneer
Explore the Universe!
Free

Embark on an interstellar journey to explore the cosmos. Gather vital resources like oil, construct essential factories, and expand your reach across the entire universe. Your cosmic adventure awaits!

Collect oil resourcesBuild factoriesExplore the universe
🎮 Games
(35K)
free with in-app purchases
18
Sky Guide
Sky Guide
Sky Guide
Star gaze constellation finder
Free

Identify stars, constellations, planets, and satellites in real-time by holding your device overhead. Explore celestial bodies with AR overlays, track satellites like the ISS, and travel through time to view past and future astronomical events. Perfect for both novice and experienced stargazers.

Automatic celestial object identificationAugmented reality sky overlaySatellite tracking and notifications
🔍 Reference
(369K)
free with in-app purchases
19
Celestron StarSense Explorer
Celestron StarSense Explorer
Celestron StarSense Explorer
by Celestron, LLC
Free

This app guides you through the night sky using your smartphone and a compatible telescope. It identifies celestial objects and directs your telescope for optimal viewing, making astronomy accessible for beginners and enthusiasts alike.

Smartphone-guided stargazingReal-time telescope positioningSky recognition technology
🔍 Reference
(161)
free
20
Cozmic Zoom Lite
Cozmic Zoom Lite
Cozmic Zoom Lite
All the universe in your hand!
Free

Explore the universe from the smallest particles to distant galaxies. This free version offers a journey through scientific data, learning facts about astronomy, biology, and physics. Discover the cosmos with simple finger swipes.

Cosmic scale explorationScientific data basedLearn astronomy facts
📚 Education
(74)
free

FAQ about Universe Explorer App

What is the best universe explorer app for iPhone?
SkyView® tops our universe explorer app ranking as of July 2026, with a 4.6-star average from 7.7K App Store ratings, and it's priced at $2.99.
Yes — 14 of the top universe explorer app we rank are free to download, including Universe Website Builder and SkyView® Lite.
SkyView® has no ads and has no in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of July 2026.
We track 188+ universe explorer app on the iOS App Store as of July 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.
SkyView® is an augmented reality app that allows users to identify celestial objects in the sky. By pointing your device at the sky, the app can identify stars, constellations, planets, satellites, and more. It's designed to make stargazing accessible to everyone, whether you're an experienced astronomer or a beginner.
Key features include the ability to identify thousands of celestial objects using your device's camera, discover all 88 constellations, schedule alerts for upcoming celestial events, and use a night mode to preserve your night vision. The app also offers 'Time Travel' to view the sky on different dates and times, and allows you to capture and share images of the sky.