Comparison

Kaptan vs Aurora Forecast Now

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

Head to head
About

Kaptan

This app provides real-time and predicted sea conditions for the Malta-Sicily Channel. It utilizes HF radar, satellite data, and numerical models for accurate information.

Highlights
  • HF radar operational data
  • Satellite data integration
  • Numerical model predictions
  • Present sea conditions
  • Predicted sea conditions
Features
Read full description

KAPTAN is an application developed by the Physical Oceanography Research Group, Dept. of Geosciences, University of Malta, as part of the CALYPSO FO project. It uses HF radar operational data, satellite data and numerical models to provide information on the present and predicted sea conditions in the Malta-Sicily Channel. The smartphone app was developed by Think Ltd. Disclaimer: The Physical Oceanography Research Group makes every effort to ensure that information contained in this smartphone application is accurate and up to date. However, the Physical Oceanography Research Group accepts no liability and/or responsibility for the reliance placed by the users of this application on the information contained in this application or any other information accessed via this application. The information provided in this application is provided on an "as is" basis and no warranties of any kind are issued whether expressly or implied by the Physical Oceanography Research Group on the information provided. Project Coordination and Concept: Prof. Aldo Drago, University of Malta (Email: aldo.drago@um.edu.mt; Tel: 21440972)

About

Aurora Forecast Now

This app provides personalized aurora visibility forecasts for any location worldwide. It adjusts for local light conditions and geomagnetic activity, offering real-time and advanced predictions for aurora viewing.

Highlights
  • Personalized aurora visibility forecasts
  • Location-specific adjustments
  • Real-time aurora reporting
  • Advanced 3-day forecast (premium)
  • Geomagnetic activity tracking
  • Rarity rating for activity
  • Historic geomagnetic data
Features
Read full description

The only aurora app that will let you know whether you can see the aurora from wherever you are - or from any location you choose - at sea or on land - anywhere in the world. I wrote this app because I was disappointed that current aurora apps were not customised to match where I was right now. This is not just a summary of worldwide auroras, this is an aurora report customised for each location, including yours. • This app will tell you if the aurora is visible from your location - or any other you select - right now. • This app adjusts if your location skies may be too light - adjusts automatically for extreme locations in the North or South polar regions where the sun may not rise or set. This app warns you if the light may result in less than optimal viewing. • Adjusts viewing data for yours or any location you select based on the current strength of geomagnetic activity. • Premium users get a three day advance forecast as to whether the aurora is likely to be viewable at the selected location. • Premium users get three hourly future forecasts of geomagnetic activity. • Premium users get to see a graph of peaks and troughs of the 11 year geomagnetic cycle and where we are currently. • See Historic geomagnetic data for the last week and the peaks and troughs graphed for each day. • This app gives you a rarity rating so you know if the geomagnetic activity is higher than normal. I wrote this app for myself, and I am pleased to make it available to you as well. I’ve designed this app to be both educational and practical. I’ve learned a lot writing it and I hope you enjoy it too. Terms of Use : https://fascinatingprojects.com.au/termsaurora/

Screenshots

Kaptan3 screens
Aurora Forecast Now4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Kaptan at none against Aurora Forecast Now's 2. Kaptan also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.0). 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. Aurora Forecast Now sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Kaptan asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Kaptan ships an update weekly, Aurora Forecast Now monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Kaptan versus Aurora Forecast Now: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKaptanAurora Forecast Now
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyWeekly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size23 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperThink Design LimitedFascinating Projects

Customer experience

Kaptan

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Aurora Forecast Now

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

Kaptan

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Aurora Forecast Now

Subscriptions2
  • Aurora Weekly Subscription$4.997 Days
  • Aurora Yearly Subscription3 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Kaptan free?
Kaptan is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Aurora Forecast Now free?
Aurora Forecast Now is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Kaptan or Aurora Forecast Now have ads?
Neither Kaptan nor Aurora Forecast Now shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Kaptan or Aurora Forecast Now?
Kaptan ships an update weekly, and Aurora Forecast Now monthly. Most recently, Kaptan was updated on October 24, 2026 and Aurora Forecast Now on October 28, 2026.

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