Comparison

Copernicus Sentinel vs Timelapse Map

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

Head to head
About

Copernicus Sentinel

Explore and track Earth observation satellites in real-time. Discover satellite details, view 3D models, and receive notifications for overhead passes. Stay updated on the latest news and products from this space observation program.

Highlights
  • Real-time satellite tracking
  • Detailed 3D satellite models
  • Overhead pass notifications
  • Latest news and product updates
  • Historical data transmission visualization
  • Interactive 3D globe exploration
Features
Read full description

The Sentinel App is a gateway to knowing the Copernicus Sentinel satellites. It lets users track the satellites in real-time, discover their key elements, read the latest news and learn more about their products. Users can, among other things, explore detailed 3D models of the satellites, see the last and next time they have been and will be over the user's location, move the satellites to the time of the last data transmission and smoothly move them back to their current location over the 3D globe. Notifications can also be set to be warned when the satellites are flying by. ESA is developing a series of next-generation Earth observation missions, on behalf of the joint ESA/European Commission initiative Copernicus (previously GMES - Global Monitoring for Environment and Security). The goal of the program is to replace current and older Earth observation missions, such as ERS and Envisat, which have reached or are close to reaching the end of their operational life span. This will ensure a continuity of data so that there are no gaps in ongoing studies. Each mission will focus on a different aspect of Earth observation, such as Atmospheric, Oceanic or Land monitoring, and the data will be of use in many applications.

About

Timelapse Map

Explore Earth's evolution with interactive satellite imagery. Scrub through years of visual data to witness changes in coastlines, urban growth, forests, and natural phenomena. Gain insights with advanced analytics tools.

Highlights
  • Scrub through years of satellite imagery
  • Observe coastline and urban growth
  • Track forest and water body changes
  • Analyze agricultural patterns
  • View natural phenomena
  • Real-time geospatial data access
  • Advanced analytics tools (in-app purchase)
Read full description

Purple Satellite lets you scrub time with your finger and watch the planet change. Slide through years of real satellite imagery. Cities grow, mines expand, forests disappear, coastlines shift. No timelines to configure. No layers to babysit. Just touch, drag, and see Earth evolve in front of you. Here are six exciting reasons to start looking at satellite images: Coastlines and Beaches: See how our beautiful coastlines and beaches change over time. You can observe the ebb and flow of tides, the impact of storms, and even the effects of human activities like building and conservation efforts. Urban Growth: Watch cities grow and evolve! Satellite images can show how urban areas expand, new neighborhoods pop up, and green spaces are preserved or developed. It’s like seeing the heartbeat of human civilization. Forests and Green Spaces: Explore the lush greenery of forests and parks. You can track how forests grow, recover from fires, or change with the seasons. It’s a great way to appreciate the resilience and beauty of nature. Water Bodies: From lakes and rivers to oceans, satellite images let you see the shimmering blue of our planet’s water bodies. You can observe changes in water levels, the health of coral reefs, and even the movement of glaciers. Agricultural Patterns: Discover the patchwork quilt of farmlands. Satellite images can show how crops are planted, harvested, and rotated. It’s fascinating to see how agriculture adapts to different climates and seasons. The Power of Nature: Witness the dynamic forces of nature, like volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and the shifting of tectonic plates. These images highlight the incredible power and beauty of our planet’s natural processes. Key Features: Real-Time Geospatial Data: Access and analyze real-time geospatial data directly from your mobile device. User-Friendly Interface: Navigate through a sleek and intuitive interface designed for ease of use. Advanced Analytics: Utilize powerful shortwave infrared analytics tools to gain insights and make informed decisions. (In-app purchase required). Stay Updated: We regularly update our app to bring you the latest features and improvements. Keep an eye on our updates to make the most out of Purple Satellite. Contact Us: For any questions or concerns regarding the app, please reach out to us at support@purplegeo.com. Download Purple Satellite today and elevate your geospatial capabilities! Purple Satellite includes both a free version and a subscription plan, "Purple Satellite Pro", with access to additional features including visualization of High Dynamic Range (HDR) imagery, and filtering of images to remove snow-covered dates from timelapses. You can subscribe and pay on the App Store, using your Apple ID. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription will automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Subscriptions cost $7.99/month or $39.99/year in the USA, or the equivalent price in your local currency as determined by current App Store Pricing. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renew may be turned off after purchase by going to the ‘Manage Subscription’ page in settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable. The subscription will renew at the same cost. Terms of Service: https://www.purplegeo.com/terms.html Privacy Policy: https://www.purplegeo.com/privacy.html

Screenshots

Copernicus Sentinel4 screens
Timelapse Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Copernicus Sentinel at 4.4 against Timelapse Map's 3.0. Copernicus Sentinel also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (30% vs 0%). Timelapse Map's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ads 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. Timelapse Map sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $7.99 per month. Copernicus Sentinel asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Copernicus Sentinel holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Copernicus Sentinel has 19 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Copernicus Sentinel's written reviews are positive against 0% of Timelapse Map's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Copernicus Sentinel ships an update every 2 months, Timelapse Map every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Copernicus Sentinel versus Timelapse Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCopernicus SentinelTimelapse Map
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (19 ratings) — better3.0 (3 ratings)
Positive reviews30.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings19 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Mac
Requires iOS14.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size56 MB161 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperESA - European Space AgencyPurple Geospatial Inc.

Customer experience

Copernicus Sentinel

All ratings19 ratings
Positive84.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive30.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative60.0%

Timelapse Map

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Copernicus Sentinel

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Timelapse Map

Subscriptions2
  • Purple Satellite Pro7 Days trial$7.991 Month
  • Purple Satellite Pro7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Copernicus Sentinel free?
Copernicus Sentinel is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Timelapse Map free?
Timelapse Map is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Copernicus Sentinel or Timelapse Map?
Copernicus Sentinel is rated higher. Copernicus Sentinel averages 4.4 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while Timelapse Map averages 3.0 from 3 ratings.
Do Copernicus Sentinel or Timelapse Map have ads?
Neither Copernicus Sentinel nor Timelapse Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Copernicus Sentinel or Timelapse Map?
Copernicus Sentinel ships an update every 2 months, and Timelapse Map every 2 weeks. Most recently, Copernicus Sentinel was updated on October 26, 2026 and Timelapse Map on October 19, 2026.

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