Comparison

ISS Detector vs Space Station Tracker

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

Head to head
About

ISS Detector

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
Read full description

Have you seen the International Space Station? It is visible with the naked eye! This is the easiest way to spot the station. ISS Detector will tell you when and where to look for the ISS. You get an alarm a few minutes before a pass. You will never miss it. ISS Detector will also check if the weather conditions are right. A clear sky is perfect for spotting. Premium will enhance the functionality of ISS Detector. With the subscription you can add many famous satellites and amateur radio satellites. See the Starlink satellite trains, Hubble space telescope, rocket bodies, Vanguard 1 and many bright satellites. Available categories in Premium: Radio Amateur Satellites: Track dozens of ham and weather satellites. Starlink: Track Starlink satellite trains. Famous Objects: Hubble Space Telescope, rocket bodies, bright satellites and more. Comets: Find comets in the night sky. You might need binoculars or a telescope to see them Planets: Find all the planets Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Space Station Tracker

Follow the International Space Station's live location on a globe and get alerts for visible flyovers at your exact location. Features a compass view to help you spot it in the sky.

Highlights
  • Real-time ISS location tracking
  • Globe view with orbital trajectory
  • Upcoming visible flyover alerts
  • GPS-based viewing calculations
  • Compass view for sky spotting
  • Azimuth and elevation details
Features
Read full description

Track the International Space Station in real time and see upcoming visible flyovers for your location. ISS Tracker helps you understand where the ISS is now, when it will pass overhead, and where to look in the sky. It is designed to be simple, useful, and privacy-first. LIVE GLOBE VIEW See the current location of the ISS and its orbital path on an interactive globe. The app displays approximately one full orbit and updates the station’s position with live telemetry, including latitude, longitude, altitude, and speed in miles or kilometers. UPCOMING VISIBLE FLYOVERS Find upcoming ISS flyovers based on your location. Viewing opportunities are calculated using your location and estimated visibility, helping you identify passes that may be visible to the naked eye. FLYOVER COMPASS VIEW Use the compass view to know where to look. Each flyover includes azimuth, compass direction, and elevation details for the start, maximum elevation, and end of the pass. PRIVACY-FIRST LOCATION USE Your location is used to show your position relative to the ISS and calculate upcoming flyovers. Location is requested only while using the app, and is never sent to third parties. The app does not use analytics, advertising, or tracking. ISS Tracker is built for skywatchers, space enthusiasts, educators, students, and anyone who wants a clear way to follow the International Space Station. Questions or feedback? Contact support@pacificaconsulting.io

Screenshots

ISS Detector4 screens
Space Station Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Space Station Tracker at none against ISS Detector's 13. Space Station Tracker also leads on ads (none vs shown). ISS Detector's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 20 months) and ratings volume (693 vs 5). On price, rating, review sentiment and device support 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. ISS Detector sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Space Station Tracker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for ISS Detector against 4.6 for Space Station Tracker. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ISS Detector has 693 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 55% of ISS Detector's written reviews are positive against 50% of Space Station Tracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ISS Detector ships an update monthly, Space Station Tracker every 20 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
ISS Detector versus Space Station Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterISS DetectorSpace Station Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (693 ratings) — better4.6 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews55.4% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings693 — better5
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 20 months
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDerk VrijdagJaimeson Bilodeau

Customer experience

ISS Detector

All ratings633 ratings
Positive91.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews186 reviews
Positive55.4%
Neutral12.9%
Negative31.7%

Space Station Tracker

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

11 purchases

ISS Detector

Subscriptions7
  • Premium Access2 variants$0.991 Month
  • Donation$1.991 Month
  • Premium Access$1.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • Premium Access$2.991 Year
  • Premium Access7 Days trial$5.991 Year
  • Donation2 variants$5.991 Year
  • Premium Access7 Days trial$11.991 Year
One-time4
  • Starlink and Famous objects$3.99
  • Amateur Radio Satellites$3.99
  • Comets and Planets$3.99
Show 1 more
  • Combo package$5.99
None

Space Station Tracker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ISS Detector free?
ISS Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Space Station Tracker free?
Space Station Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ISS Detector or Space Station Tracker?
ISS Detector is rated higher. ISS Detector averages 4.6 out of 5 from 693 ratings, while Space Station Tracker averages 4.6 from 5 ratings.
Do ISS Detector or Space Station Tracker have ads?
ISS Detector shows ads; Space Station Tracker does not.
Which is updated more often, ISS Detector or Space Station Tracker?
ISS Detector ships an update monthly, and Space Station Tracker every 20 months. Most recently, ISS Detector was updated on October 22, 2026 and Space Station Tracker on October 21, 2026.

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