# Moon Tracker vs Celestron StarSense Explorer

The clearest difference is rating: Moon Tracker at 4.8 against Celestron StarSense Explorer's 3.3. Moon Tracker also leads on review sentiment (69% vs 35%) and device support (3 vs 1). Celestron StarSense Explorer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (18.6 vs 26.0). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Moon Tracker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Celestron StarSense Explorer asks for nothing beyond the download.

Moon Tracker holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 360 and 167 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 69% of Moon Tracker's written reviews are positive against 35% of Celestron StarSense Explorer's.

Moon Tracker ships an update monthly, Celestron StarSense Explorer every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Moon Tracker | Celestron StarSense Explorer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (360 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moon-tracker/id1083373781/reviews)** | [3.3 (167 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestron-starsense-explorer/id1368600689/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **360** | 167 |
| Positive reviews | **68.6% of reviews** | 35.2% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 51 MB | 741 MB |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | **18.6** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Zuzana Eskinasi](https://appshunter.io/developer/926491439) | [Celestron, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/445142854) |

## What reviewers say

### Moon Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/moon-tracker/id1083373781)

Track the moon's position and phases with this intuitive app. Explore lunar paths in augmented reality, view detailed data tables, and access a supermoon calendar. The free version offers current location data, while premium unlocks global and historical information.

**Highlights:** Augmented reality lunar path projection, 2D and 3D moon path visualizations, Detailed data tables, Supermoon calendar, Moonrise and moonset times, Lunar eclipse information

**Features:** Family Sharing, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Version | $8.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great app to track moon
- ✨ Amazing AR feature
- 📍 Accurate moon position
- 💡 Helpful for locating moon
- 🚀 Easy to use

**What reviewers complain about**

- ⚠️ Premium required for full functionality
- 🐛 Compass calibration error
- 🔄 Asks to buy again / restore purchase issues
- 📍 Location cannot be changed
- ❌ App won't open / crashes on startup

**Reported bugs**

- Compass calibration error
- Date changes to December 5 2023
- Cannot restore purchases
- App crashes on startup
- App won't open

**Requested features**

- Transparent/clear mode for widget
- iPad version


### Celestron StarSense Explorer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestron-starsense-explorer/id1368600689)

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.

**Highlights:** Smartphone-guided stargazing, Real-time telescope positioning, Sky recognition technology, Celestial object database, Tonight's Best observing list, Detailed object information and audio

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Accurate plate-solving technology for locating celestial objects
- 📚 Comprehensive database with detailed information about objects
- 🎧 Informative audio commentary during observations
- 🔭 Seamless integration with Celestron StarSense telescopes
- 👨‍🚀 Excellent for beginners to learn astronomy

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🧭 Persistent compass/directional calibration issues
- 📍 Frequent alignment failures and position detection problems
- 🔄 Requires constant realignment after minor telescope movements
- ❌ Inconsistent accuracy across different iPhone models
- ⏱️ Slow plate-solving on nights with full moon or light pollution

**Reported bugs**

- Directional orientation reversed or offset by 90+ degrees
- App fails to locate telescope position on clear nights
- Compass defaults to west direction on startup
- Plate-solving fails to recognize sky position
- App crashes when switching between apps or receiving notifications

**Requested features**

- Multi-language support (Korean, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese, Arabic, French, Italian, German)
- Observation logging and favorites/bookmarks system
- Support for additional celestial objects (dwarf planets, comets)
- Pan and zoom functionality without moving telescope
- Standalone app functionality without telescope requirement


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Moon Tracker free?

Moon Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Celestron StarSense Explorer free?

Celestron StarSense Explorer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Moon Tracker or Celestron StarSense Explorer?

Moon Tracker is rated higher. Moon Tracker averages 4.8 out of 5 from 360 ratings, while Celestron StarSense Explorer averages 3.3 from 167 ratings.

### Do Moon Tracker or Celestron StarSense Explorer have ads?

Neither Moon Tracker nor Celestron StarSense Explorer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Moon Tracker or Celestron StarSense Explorer?

Moon Tracker ships an update monthly, and Celestron StarSense Explorer every 2 months. Most recently, Moon Tracker was updated on October 26, 2026 and Celestron StarSense Explorer on October 26, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*