Comparison

ISS Detector vs Zenith

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

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.

Highlights
  • 3D Earth simulation
  • Real-time ISS orbit tracking
  • Live astronaut count
  • Dynamic soundscapes
  • Earth rotation view
Features
Read 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

ISS Detector4 screens
Zenith4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ISS Detector ships an update monthly, Zenith every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
ISS Detector versus Zenith: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterISS DetectorZenith
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (740 ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews55.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings740 — better5
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 13 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
Size35 MB7 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDerk VrijdagAurelien Grifasi

In-app purchases

7 purchases

ISS Detector

Subscriptions7
  • Premium Access2 variants$0.991 Month
  • Donation$1.991 Month
  • Premium Access$1.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • 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
None

Zenith

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ISS Detector free?
ISS Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Zenith free?
Zenith is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ISS Detector or Zenith?
Zenith is rated higher. ISS Detector averages 4.6 out of 5 from 740 ratings, while Zenith averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do ISS Detector or Zenith have ads?
ISS Detector shows ads; Zenith does not.
Which is updated more often, ISS Detector or Zenith?
ISS Detector ships an update monthly, and Zenith every 13 months. Most recently, ISS Detector was updated on November 6, 2026 and Zenith on November 4, 2026.

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