Comparison

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights vs Step's Aurora Guide

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

Head to head
About

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights

This app monitors real-time auroral activity and sends notifications when the Northern Lights may be visible. It provides short and long-term forecasts, current activity data, and weather conditions to help you plan your viewing experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time auroral activity monitoring
  • Push notifications for potential aurora visibility
  • Short-term (1 hour) and long-term (3 days, 27 days) forecasts
  • Location-based probability for viewing
  • Current Kp index and solar wind data
  • Weather forecast for visibility conditions
  • Customizable alerts based on Kp index and solar wind data
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Aurora Alerts is an app designed to monitor real-time auroral activity and push alert to let you know if there may be aurora borealis (northern lights) visible tonight. Whenever you are home or away, Aurora Alerts will notify you if the possibility of seeing the northern lights exists. Main features: - short-term aurora forecast for next hour with weather conditions and moon Illumination - long-term aurora forecast for the next 3 days with weather conditions - long-term northern lights forecast for the next 27 days - show probability to see Northern Lights based on your or custom location - current auroral activity (based on observed and predicted Kp Indices from U.S. Air Force Weather Agency) - weather forecast to check visibility conditions before planning to see northern lights - solar wind data directly from the NASA satellite (wind speed, Bz, Bt and density) - unlike many other apps, it uses the local time instead of UTC Alerts: - when northern lights may be visible at current or custom location at the horizon or overhead - Kp index reaches chosen value - solar wind data reach chosen values - you can filter out alerts based on time of the day Boost your chances of viewing the northern lights! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://aurora-alerts.com/privacy-policy/

About

Step's Aurora Guide

This app provides aurora forecasts, alerts, and expert photography advice. It helps users plan and capture stunning aurora images with real-time data, geomagnetic forecasts, and personalized guidance.

Highlights
  • 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast
  • Moon phase and darkness alignment
  • Real-time aurora probability
  • Hour-by-hour weather updates
  • Expert photography advice
  • Custom location comparison
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Created by an aurora photographer, the app is your perfect companion for aurora adventures. Make informed decisions, get timely alerts, and improve your chances of seeing and capturing the northern lights and aurora australis. Discover the features that make this app indispensable: Timely Alerts Don't miss the aurora. Receive notifications about elevated Kp-index levels in the coming days and when your chances of witnessing the aurora within the next hour are becoming high. Get the notice you need to be ready. Real-time Aurora Forecast Witness the aurora probability in real-time with the SWPC Ovation aurora forecast. Instantly see current aurora probabilities, monitor unfolding trends, and pinpoint the anticipated peak times — all tailored for your location. These insights pair perfectly with aurora alerts. Additionally, solar wind parameters offer a deeper understanding of current aurora activity. Precise Decision-making Make informed choices for tonight and beyond. Access hour-by-hour updates on geomagnetic activity, cloud coverage, temperature, and wind forecast. Compare conditions for your current location and up to 5 custom spots. Advanced Planning Stay one step ahead with our 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast. Seamlessly align your photography sessions with the optimal moon phase and ensure darkness prevails in your selected locations. Track the aurora season from the start. Expert Text Guide Receive tailored advice based on aurora and weather forecasts, moon positioning, and your location. Discover whether the aurora will grace the horizon or dance overhead. Optimise your shots with tips on capturing reflections and shooting under moonlight. Benefit from forecast-based recommendations and camera settings guidance. Additional Features and Beyond Experience a range of other useful features, with more updates on the horizon. Global Applicability The app is designed for global use in all regions where auroras can be visible, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and more. Aurora looks the same — the landscape makes the difference. Subscription Options The app is available with a weekly, monthly, or yearly auto-renewable subscription, each with a 3-day free trial and full access to all app features, including High Kp-index and Aurora alerts. Download the app and start your 3-day free trial today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights4 screens
Step's Aurora Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Step's Aurora Guide at 4.5 against Aurora Alerts Northern Lights's 2.9. Aurora Alerts Northern Lights's advantage is review sentiment (44% vs 14%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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 Alerts Northern Lights sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Step's Aurora Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Step's Aurora Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 216 and 117 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 44% of Aurora Alerts Northern Lights's written reviews are positive against 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights ships an update fortnightly, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 9 level
Aurora Alerts Northern Lights versus Step's Aurora Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAurora Alerts Northern LightsStep's Aurora Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (216 ratings)4.5 (117 ratings) — better
Positive reviews44.1% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings216 — better117
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#199#153 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.616.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLetovaltsev MaximSteps Aurora Guide

Customer experience

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights

All ratings216 ratings
Positive42.1%
Neutral6.9%
Negative50.9%
Written reviews195 reviews
Positive44.1%
Neutral8.7%
Negative47.2%

Step's Aurora Guide

All ratings113 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

Bugs and requests

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Restore purchases not working
  • Alerts not triggering correctly
  • Long-term forecast not loading

Requested features

4 requests
  • Improved tutorial/documentation
  • Ability to manually set location
  • Sortable saved locations list
  • Explanation of data metrics

Step's Aurora Guide

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Aurora Alerts Northern Lights

One-time10
  • Aurora forecast for 1 month$0.99
  • Kp index alert for 1 month$0.99
  • Solar Wind parameters alert service for 1 month$0.99
Show 7 more
  • All alert services for 1 month$1.99
  • Aurora forecast for 6 months$2.99
  • Kp index alert for 6 month$2.99
  • Solar Wind parameters alert service for 6 months$2.99
  • 27 days aurora forecast unlock$2.99
  • All alert services for 6 months$4.99
  • Aurora forecast lifetime alert$29.99
3 purchases

Step's Aurora Guide

Subscriptions3
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Aurora Alerts Northern Lights free?
Aurora Alerts Northern Lights is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aurora Alerts Northern Lights or Step's Aurora Guide?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Aurora Alerts Northern Lights averages 2.9 out of 5 from 216 ratings, while Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.5 from 117 ratings.
Do Aurora Alerts Northern Lights or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?
Neither Aurora Alerts Northern Lights nor Step's Aurora Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aurora Alerts Northern Lights or Step's Aurora Guide?
Aurora Alerts Northern Lights ships an update fortnightly, and Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Most recently, Aurora Alerts Northern Lights was updated on November 6, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on November 3, 2026.
Which is more popular, Aurora Alerts Northern Lights or Step's Aurora Guide?
Aurora Alerts Northern Lights currently peaks at #199 in the App Store charts, and Step's Aurora Guide at #153. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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