Comparison

Lightning Alarm vs Lightning Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Lightning Alarm

Receive timely notifications about approaching thunderstorms and lightning strikes in your vicinity. This app provides accurate lightning detection and displays real-time information on a map, ensuring safety during outdoor activities.

Highlights
  • Real-time lightning detection
  • Approaching storm notifications
  • Lightning distance display
  • Map view of lightning strikes
  • Textual storm information
  • Push message alerts
Features
Read full description

Always safe with Lightning Alarm. You will be notified if a thunderstorm is in your area. The lightning detection is very accurate and the (automated) notifications are essential for safe outdoor activities. At a glance you can see the nearest lightning. Displayed on the map and in text, you see the current distance from the thunderstorm to your location. You can even set up a push message, notifying you for approaching storms. This App is unique and a must for your safety during outdoor activities. The information is based on the detection network of Meteoplaza.com. With this network 98% of all lightning discharges are detected, resulting in a high quality of the warnings! Lightning Alarm, you have been warned! Lightning Alarm Premium can be purchased through iTunes for € 3.49 per year. € 3.49 will be charged within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions are user-managed and auto-renewal can be turned off by going to Apple ID settings. By purchasing Lightning Alarm Premium you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Privacy statement: https://www.infoplaza.nl/en/about-us/disclaimer-privacy/ Terms of Service: https://www.infoplaza.nl/en/about-us/terms-of-use-lightning-alarm/

About

Lightning Tracker

Visualize real-time lightning strikes across North and South America on a dynamic map. Receive predictive alerts for strike patterns and intensity, with estimated arrival times for your location. Monitor current and historical lightning activity to stay informed and protected.

Highlights
  • Live lightning map
  • Real-time strike visualization
  • Predictive lightning alerts
  • Estimated time of arrival (ETA) for strikes
  • Monitor saved locations
  • 6-hour strike history
Read full description

Stay safe from lightning! Lightning Tracker delivers real-time lightning strike data for North and South America, keeping you and your loved ones protected. Live Lightning Map: Watch real-time strikes across the Americas with color-coded visuals to track lightning movement. Lightning Alerts: Predict strike patterns and intensity, with ETAs for your location. Monitor Anywhere: Check strikes near you or saved spots, like home or family, in one tap. 6-Hour Strike History: Analyze past lightning trends to stay one step ahead. Protect what matters most with Lightning Tracker. Download now to track strikes and stay safe!

Screenshots

Lightning Alarm4 screens
Lightning Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Lightning Alarm at 4.5 against Lightning Tracker's 4.3. Lightning Tracker's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.4). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Lightning Alarm sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per year and Lightning Tracker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightning Alarm holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 889 and 574 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Lightning Alarm's written reviews are positive against 76% of Lightning Tracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightning Alarm ships an update every 2 months, Lightning Tracker every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Lightning Alarm versus Lightning Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightning AlarmLightning Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (889 ratings) — better4.3 (574 ratings)
Positive reviews80.5% of reviews — better75.6% of reviews
Number of ratings889 — better574
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 4 months
AdsYesYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.413.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size79 MB127 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperInfoplaza BVElecont LLC

Customer experience

Lightning Alarm

All ratings889 ratings
Positive88.3%
Neutral5.2%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews533 reviews
Positive80.5%
Neutral5.3%
Negative14.3%

Lightning Tracker

All ratings574 ratings
Positive82.2%
Neutral7.3%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews168 reviews
Positive75.6%
Neutral5.4%
Negative19.0%

User reviews

Lightning Alarm

From 889 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⭐️ Excellent app
  • 👍 Works great
  • 🚀 Accurate and precise
  • 🔔 Helpful notifications
  • 🌩️ Tracks lightning effectively

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes or freezes
  • ⚠️ Inaccurate or unreliable
  • 🔍 Difficult to set location
  • 🔢 Metric units not preferred

Lightning Tracker

From 574 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Accurate and real-time lightning tracking
  • 👍 Helpful for safety and planning outdoor activities
  • 💡 Useful for weather monitoring and storm tracking
  • ⭐ Excellent app overall

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
  • 🔋 High battery consumption
  • 📢 Intrusive ads in free version
  • 🚫 Lack of important features like distance, alerts, and history

Bugs and requests

Lightning Alarm

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Notifications not working
  • Map tiles not loading properly
  • App crashing on launch

Requested features

4 requests
  • Option to switch between miles and kilometers
  • Add multiple locations to track
  • Improve map visuals and details
  • Customizable alert radius

Lightning Tracker

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App not detecting lightning strikes even when visible
  • Frequent crashes and freezes
  • Issues with app updates and functionality changes

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add distance/radius information for lightning strikes
  • Implement push notifications/alerts for lightning within a certain radius
  • Provide historical data and the ability to view past lightning activity
  • Improve overall app stability and performance

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Lightning Alarm

Subscriptions1
  • Lightning Alarm Premium$2.991 Year
One-time3
  • 1 month ad free$0.99
  • 3 months ad free$1.99
  • 1 year ad free$2.99
1 purchases

Lightning Tracker

One-time1
  • Remove Ads & Limits$2.99

Questions

Is Lightning Alarm free?
Lightning Alarm is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Lightning Tracker free?
Lightning Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lightning Alarm or Lightning Tracker?
Lightning Alarm is rated higher. Lightning Alarm averages 4.5 out of 5 from 889 ratings, while Lightning Tracker averages 4.3 from 574 ratings.
Do Lightning Alarm or Lightning Tracker have ads?
Both Lightning Alarm and Lightning Tracker show ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightning Alarm or Lightning Tracker?
Lightning Alarm ships an update every 2 months, and Lightning Tracker every 4 months. Most recently, Lightning Alarm was updated on September 22, 2026 and Lightning Tracker on September 21, 2026.

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