# ISS Detector vs Stellarium Mobile

The clearest difference is ads: Stellarium Mobile at none against ISS Detector's shown. Stellarium Mobile also leads on review sentiment (84% vs 55%) and ratings volume (39K vs 729). On price, rating, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ISS Detector sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month and Stellarium Mobile sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Stellarium Mobile holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Stellarium Mobile has 39K ratings behind it against 729, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 55% of ISS Detector's written reviews are positive against 84% of Stellarium Mobile's.

ISS Detector ships an update monthly, Stellarium Mobile every 5 weeks. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | ISS Detector | Stellarium Mobile |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.6 (729 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iss-detector/id1198597805/reviews) | **[4.8 (39K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellarium-mobile-star-map/id1458716890/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 729 | **39K** |
| Positive reviews | 55.4% of reviews | **84.5% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#70** |
| Size | 33 MB | 456 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.0** | 17 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Derk Vrijdag](https://appshunter.io/developer/1198597804) | [Noctua Software Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/629435881) |

## What reviewers say

### ISS Detector

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iss-detector/id1198597805)

Easily track the International Space Station and other satellites. Receive timely alarms before passes and get weather condition checks for optimal viewing. Enhance functionality with optional in-app purchases to discover more celestial objects.

**Highlights:** ISS tracking and alerts, Weather condition checks, Alarm notifications, Track Starlink trains, Track Hubble telescope, Track amateur radio satellites

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

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access | $0.99 | per month |
| Donation | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Access | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Access | $2.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $5.99 | per year |
| Donation | $5.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $11.99 | per year |
| Starlink and Famous objects | $3.99 | one-time |
| Amateur Radio Satellites | $3.99 | one-time |
| Comets and Planets | $3.99 | one-time |
| Combo package | $5.99 | one-time |


### Stellarium Mobile

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stellarium-mobile-star-map/id1458716890)

**Currently charting:** #70 Top Free · Education (US App Store)

Explore the night sky with a real-time planetarium. Identify stars, planets, constellations, and satellites by simply pointing your phone. Offers detailed astronomical data and cultural constellation interpretations.

**Highlights:** Real-time sky simulation, Identify stars, planets, satellites, Constellation shapes and illustrations, Deep sky object catalog, Night mode for eye comfort, Telescope control (Plus)

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Stellarium PLUS | $1.99 | per month |
| Stellarium PLUS | $18.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🌟 Fabulous star tracking
- 🌌 Detailed night sky information
- 🔭 Helpful for stargazing and astronomy
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 🌍 Accurate for different locations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔍 Difficulty finding some objects
- 🌓 Inaccurate moon/planet positions in daylight
- 🔧 Calibration issues with compass
- 💰 Paid version may not justify the cost

**Reported bugs**

- Compass not working properly
- Favorites list disappearing
- Inconsistent performance on different devices

**Requested features**

- Notifications for astronomical events
- More customization options
- Integration with camera for AR overlay
- Better support for telescopes and mounts
- Improved search and navigation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is ISS Detector free?

ISS Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Stellarium Mobile free?

Stellarium Mobile is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, ISS Detector or Stellarium Mobile?

Stellarium Mobile is rated higher. ISS Detector averages 4.6 out of 5 from 729 ratings, while Stellarium Mobile averages 4.8 from 39K ratings.

### Do ISS Detector or Stellarium Mobile have ads?

ISS Detector shows ads; Stellarium Mobile does not.

### Which is updated more often, ISS Detector or Stellarium Mobile?

ISS Detector ships an update monthly, and Stellarium Mobile every 5 weeks. Most recently, ISS Detector was updated on November 1, 2026 and Stellarium Mobile on November 1, 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.*