Comparison

Northern Lights Alert 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

Northern Lights Alert

Get real-time alerts when the Northern Lights are visible. This service uses dedicated aurora cameras to monitor the sky and notify you when conditions are right. A login key from a participating accommodation or travel agency is required to receive alerts.

Highlights
  • Real-time aurora camera monitoring
  • Instant visibility alerts
  • Login key system
  • Map of service availability
  • List of participating resorts
Features
Read full description

Receive a real-time alert when the Northern Lights are visible! Alerts are based on our own aurora cameras which are constantly monitoring the sky. The system will alert you when the Northern Lights are visible! You'll need to log in with a login key to get alerts. Get a login key from your accommodation service or travel agency. In the app, you'll find a map of places where you can get a login key and where the service is available. Service is available in destinations such as Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Ruka, Muonio, Ivalo, Rovaniemi, Kilpisjärvi, Inari and Utsjoki. Service is available in the following resorts: Northern Lights Village Levi Northern Lights Village Saariselkä Northern Lights Village Pyhä Sixty Eight North, Levi Levi Area Levin Iglut - Golden Crown Igloos, Levi Reindeer Manor, Levi Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, Kakslauttanen Utsjoki Arctic Resort, Utsjoki Ylläs Area Arctic Skylight Lodge, Ylläs Northern Lights Ranch, Levi Harriniva Hotels & Safaris, Muonio Arctic Sauna World, Muonio Aurora VilIage, Ivalo Saariselkä, Lapland Santa Claus Holiday Village, Rovaniemi Glass Resort, Rovaniemi Follow @nlalertfi on Instagram. Do you have questions? Don't hesitate to email us at info@nlalert.fi

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
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

Northern Lights Alert4 screens
Step's Aurora Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Step's Aurora Guide at 4.5 against Northern Lights Alert's 3.6. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on ratings volume (117 vs 9) and chart position (#93 vs unranked). Northern Lights Alert's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and review sentiment (35% vs 14%). On price, ads and iOS requirement 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. Step's Aurora Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Northern Lights Alert asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Step's Aurora Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Step's Aurora Guide has 117 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 35% of Northern Lights Alert'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

Northern Lights Alert ships an update every 9 days, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Northern Lights Alert versus Step's Aurora Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNorthern Lights AlertStep's Aurora Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.6 (9 ratings)4.5 (117 ratings) — better
Positive reviews35.0% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings9117 — better
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank—#93 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size40 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJari KetolaSteps Aurora Guide

Customer experience

Northern Lights Alert

All ratings9 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive35.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative65.0%

Step's Aurora Guide

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

In-app purchases

None

Northern Lights Alert

No in-app purchases

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 Northern Lights Alert free?
Northern Lights Alert is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Northern Lights Alert or Step's Aurora Guide?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Northern Lights Alert averages 3.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.5 from 117 ratings.
Do Northern Lights Alert or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?
Neither Northern Lights Alert nor Step's Aurora Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Northern Lights Alert or Step's Aurora Guide?
Northern Lights Alert ships an update every 9 days, and Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Most recently, Northern Lights Alert was updated on November 6, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on November 7, 2026.

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