Comparison

Astrospheric vs AstroReady

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

Head to head
About

Astrospheric

This app offers advanced weather forecasting and astronomical data for stargazers and astrophotographers. It provides detailed hourly forecasts, cloud and sky transparency reports, and alerts for celestial events. It also includes tools for astronomical societies and offline site setup.

Highlights
  • 84-hour hourly weather forecast
  • Ensemble cloud forecast
  • Kp index for Aurora
  • ISS flyover paths
  • Integrated smoke forecast
  • Sky and ground data
  • Rise and set times
  • Solar and Lunar eclipse data
Features
Read full description

Astrospheric provides advanced weather tools for professional astronomers and astrophotographers, and supports hundreds of astronomical societies with tools that help members stay connected. Are you using what the pros use? Features • 84 hour, hour-by-hour forecast • Free notification reminders for major astronomical events • Ensemble cloud forecast lets you quickly compare the major forecast models with hourly updates (Astrospheric Pro) • Extended cloud forecast • Kp index for Aurora viewing (and alerts with Pro) • International Space Station (ISS) flyover paths and times • Astrospheric is the only astronomy service that integrates the smoke forecast into the transparency report • Sky data: cloud, sky transparency, seeing • Ground data: wind, temperature, and humidity • Precise rise and set times for both the sun and moon • Get weather alerts when conditions meeting your requirements are met (Astrospheric Pro) • Details Solar and Lunar eclipse data Astronomical Societies • Stay connected with chat, image sharing, and event planning with all of your members. • Qualifying astronomical societies can get Pro features for all of their members Site Mode • Information necessary to quickly set up your GOTO tracking mount • Available even if you don’t have a network connection Astrospheric Professional is now available to enable Weather Alerts, Ensemble cloud forecast, and more! • Astrospheric Professional is billed monthly or yearly and will auto-renew unless turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current subscription period. The renewal cost will be the same as the initial sign-up cost of the subscription. Any changes in cost will be communicated before renewal takes place. • Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase • Subscriptions may be managed by you and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the your Account Settings after purchase. A link to these settings is made available within Astrospheric "My Profile" for easy access. • The terms of use and privacy policy may be found at https://www.astrospheric.com/privacypolicy.php, purchasing a subscription shows agreement to these terms. PLEASE NOTE: Weather data is not available for Hawaii due to the domain area covered by the Canadian Meteorological Center. However, satellite and light pollution map layers, as well as other features will work in Hawaii. More information on Astrospherics forecast domain can be found here: https://www.astrospheric.com/dynamiccontent/datadomain.html

About

AstroReady

Features
Read full description

AstroReady helps you know when the sky is worth it. Check local stargazing conditions at a glance, including cloud cover, daylight timing, darkness estimates, and upcoming night forecasts. AstroReady combines weather, sunrise and sunset timing, light pollution estimates, and object visibility so you can decide whether tonight is a good night to head outside. See which planets, constellations, and deep-sky objects are visible from your location, when they rise and set, and how practical they are to observe. Whether you have a telescope, binoculars, or just want to look up, AstroReady gives you a clear answer before you step outside.

Screenshots

Astrospheric4 screens
AstroReady4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AstroReady at none against Astrospheric's 2. AstroReady also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 weeks). Astrospheric's advantage is chart position (#49 vs unranked) and device support (3 vs 1). On price 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. Astrospheric sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. AstroReady asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Astrospheric ships an update every 3 weeks, AstroReady every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Astrospheric versus AstroReady: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstrosphericAstroReady
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (453 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews87.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings453 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
Best chart rank#49 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS9.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size47 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDaniel FiordalisSteven Quinn

Bugs and requests

Astrospheric

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • App crashing or not loading on some devices
  • Inconsistent temperature and wind data

Requested features

4 requests
  • Notification system for clear skies
  • Widgets for quick access to data
  • More detailed transparency and seeing data
  • Ability to flip east and west in the app

AstroReady

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Astrospheric

Subscriptions2
  • Astrospheric Pro Subscription7 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Astrospheric Pro Subscription7 Days trial$29.991 Year
None

AstroReady

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Astrospheric free?
Astrospheric is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AstroReady free?
AstroReady is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Astrospheric or AstroReady have ads?
Neither Astrospheric nor AstroReady shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Astrospheric or AstroReady?
Astrospheric ships an update every 3 weeks, and AstroReady every 5 days. Most recently, Astrospheric was updated on October 14, 2026 and AstroReady on October 4, 2026.

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