ISS Detector vs Zenith
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- ISS tracking and alerts
- Weather condition checks
- Alarm notifications
- Track Starlink trains
- Track Hubble telescope
- Track amateur radio satellites
Read full descriptionHide 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/
Zenith
Explore Earth in a 3D simulation and track the International Space Station's real-time orbit. Experience a rotating planet with dynamic soundscapes and see the current number of astronauts on board.
- 3D Earth simulation
- Real-time ISS orbit tracking
- Live astronaut count
- Dynamic soundscapes
- Earth rotation view
Read full descriptionHide full description
Zenith shows the International Space Station live on a 3D globe, and tells you when to see it with your own eyes. • Live position, altitude, speed, day or night — updated every 5 seconds • The camera follows the station; spin the Earth with a finger • Upcoming visible passes over you: time, direction, height • A free alert before the best pass of the week • The crew on board: photos, agencies, days in orbit • Ambient space soundscape ZENITH+ • An alert before every visible pass • Full 10-day forecast • Choose your alert time: 2, 5, 10 or 15 minutes • Predicted orbit on the globe Zenith+ is available as a monthly or yearly subscription (7-day free trial on yearly), or as a one-time lifetime purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple Account. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the period; manage them in Settings › Apple ID › Subscriptions. Your location stays on your iPhone. No ads. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Zenith at none against ISS Detector's 9. Zenith also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). ISS Detector's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 13 months) and ratings volume (740 vs 5). On price, device support 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
Both are free to download. ISS Detector sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Zenith asks for nothing beyond the download.
Zenith holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ISS Detector has 740 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two.
ISS Detector ships an update monthly, Zenith every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ISS Detector | Zenith |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (740 ratings) | 4.8 (5 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 55.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 740 — better | 5 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 13 months |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Derk Vrijdag | Aurelien Grifasi |
In-app purchases
ISS Detector
- Premium Access2 variants$0.991 Month
- Donation$1.991 Month
- Premium Access$1.991 Month
Show 4 moreShow fewer
- Premium Access7 Days trial$2.991 Year
- Premium Access7 Days trial$5.991 Year
- Donation2 variants$5.991 Year
- Premium Access7 Days trial$11.991 Year
Zenith
No in-app purchases









