Universe Sandbox Alternatives

Universe Sandbox is described as 'Interactive space simulator for Windows based PCs' and is an app in the education & reference category. There are more than 10 alternatives to Universe Sandbox for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Linux, Android, iPhone and iPad apps. The best Universe Sandbox alternative is Celestia, which is both free and Open Source. Other great apps like Universe Sandbox are Space Engine, Cosmonium, Orbiter and Digital Universe Atlas.

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Alternatives list

  1. Celestia icon

    Celestia

     131 likes

    Celestia is an application for real-time 3D visualization of space, with a detailed model of the solar system, over 100,000 stars, more than 10,000 galaxies, and an extension mechanism for adding more objects.

    30 Celestia alternatives

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    • PortableApps.com
    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    • visionOS
    The orbits of a number of main belt asteroids (in brown) plotted together with major planet orbits (in blue).
     
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    4
    12
    Comments about Celestia as an Alternative to Universe Sandbox
    Guest
    Negative
    4

    it just shows the universe but can not minipulate it

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    2

    you cannot use as a sandbox and you cannot do your own simulations

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Guest
    Negative
    3

    You cannot do anything with Celestia like you can with Universe Sandbox.

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    3 of 4 comments
    Universe Sandbox Icon
    Celestia icon

    • Some users think Celestia is a great Universe Sandbox alternative, some don't.

    • Celestia is the most popular Windows, Android, Mac & iPhone alternative to Universe Sandbox.

    • Celestia is the most popular Open Source & free alternative to Universe Sandbox.

    • Celestia is Free and Open SourceUniverse Sandbox is Paid and Proprietary
  2. Space Engine icon

    Space Engine

     34 likes

    Space Engine - a real-time 3D space simulator, procedural universe generator and visualiser. It lets you explore the universe in three dimensions, starting from planet Earth to the most distant galaxies.

    26 Space Engine alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Space Engine screenshot 1
     
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    1
    7
    Comments about Space Engine as an Alternative to Universe Sandbox
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    its not able to use it as a sandbox

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Universe Sandbox Icon
    Space Engine icon

    • Some users think Space Engine is a great Universe Sandbox alternative, some don't.

    • Space Engine is the most popular commercial alternative to Universe Sandbox.

    • Space Engine is Paid and ProprietaryUniverse Sandbox is also Paid and Proprietary
  4. Cosmonium icon

    Cosmonium

     4 likes

    Cosmonium is a 3D astronomy and space exploration program. With Cosmonium you can navigate in our solar system and discover all the planets and their moons.

    Cost / License

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    Io transiting over Jupiter
     
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    1
    Comments about Cosmonium as an Alternative to Universe Sandbox
    brucelgrubb
    Negative
    0

    Per its own description (our solar system) it is not a sandbox like Universe Sandbox

    Universe Sandbox Icon
    Cosmonium icon
    • Cosmonium is Free and Open SourceUniverse Sandbox is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Orbiter icon

    Orbiter

     8 likes

    Orbiter is a realistic 3D real-time space flight simulator program.

    Fed up with space games that insult your intelligence and violate every law of physics? Orbiter is a simulator that gives you an idea what space flight really feels like - today and in the not so distant future.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source (MIT)

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Orbiter screenshot 1
     
  6. Digital Universe Atlas icon

    Digital Universe Atlas

     2 likes

    The Digital Universe Atlas incorporates data from dozens of organizations worldwide to create the most complete and accurate 3-D atlas of the Universe from the local solar neighbourhood out to the edge of the observable Universe.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Mac
    • Windows
    • Linux
    At the center of the 1 billion light-year grid is the Milky Way and our Sun. Surrounding us are the multi-hued Tully galaxies and the blue sheets of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey that stretch out billions of light-years away.
     
  7. Pioneer icon

    Pioneer

     12 likes

    Pioneer is a space adventure game set in the Milky Way galaxy at the turn of the 31st century. The game is open-ended, and you are free to explore the millions of star systems in the game. You can land on planets, slingshot past gas giants, and burn yourself to a crisp flying...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Mars and Phobos (no shaders)
     
  9. Mitaka icon

    Mitaka

     1 like

    Mitaka is software for visualizing the known Universe with up-to-date observational data and theoretical models. Mitaka users can seamlessly navigate through space, from the Earth to the edges of the known Universe.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    Earth's day side
     

  10. Pioneer Scout Plus

     2 likes

    A game of missions, trade and space combat in the 31st century using the Pioneer Space Sim engine with many additions and improvements.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Linux
    Pioneer Scout Plus screenshot 1
     
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    1
    Comments about Pioneer Scout Plus as an Alternative to Universe Sandbox
    Guest
    Negative
    0

    Can't launch plutos at sun

    Review by a new / low-activity user.
    Universe Sandbox Icon
    • Pioneer Scout Plus is Free and Open SourceUniverse Sandbox is Paid and Proprietary
  11. Stars and Planets icon

    Stars and Planets

     Like

    Warp to distant stars and explore various exoplanets like lava worlds, water worlds, earthlike planets or massive jovians with Stars and Planets planetarium app and astronomy guide. Space is awesome and the universe is at your fingertips!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • Android Tablet
    • iPad
    Visit possible earthlike planets
    Venture beyond the Solar System
    Discover strange alien worlds
     

    • Stars and Planets is the most popular Android Tablet alternative to Universe Sandbox.

    • Stars and Planets is Free and ProprietaryUniverse Sandbox is Paid and Proprietary
  12. Space Simulator icon

    Space Simulator

     Like

    Space Simulator is a realistic space flight simulator for iOS and Android. It is an open-ended simulation where players can free roam Solar System or reenact historical NASA space program missions.

    26 Space Simulator alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Android
    • iPhone
    • iPad
    Space Simulator screenshot 1
     
  13. Systems Tool Kit icon

    Systems Tool Kit

     Like

    Systems Tool Kit (STK) is a platform for analyzing and visualizing complex systems in the context of your mission. Interact with data from platforms across the aerospace, defense, telecommunications, and other industries.

    19 Systems Tool Kit alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Platforms

    • Windows
    • Software as a Service (SaaS)
     

    • Systems Tool Kit is the most popular SaaS alternative to Universe Sandbox.

    • Systems Tool Kit is Paid and ProprietaryUniverse Sandbox is also Paid and Proprietary

  14. Gravity Simulator

     Like

    Gravity and space simulator that allows you to learn about the gravitational force and explore and learn about space. Change the value of the gravitational constant, increase the mass of Jupiter to see how doing so would affect the solar system and much, much more!

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Online
     

    • Gravity Simulator is the most popular Web-based alternative to Universe Sandbox.

    • Gravity Simulator is Free and Open SourceUniverse Sandbox is Paid and Proprietary
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