# Solar Eclipse Timer vs Solar Snap

The clearest difference is price: Solar Eclipse Timer at Free against Solar Snap's $1.99. Solar Eclipse Timer also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.1). Solar Snap's advantage is rating (4.7 vs 3.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 6). On review sentiment, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download; Solar Snap costs $1.99 up front. Solar Eclipse Timer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Solar Snap asks for nothing beyond the download.

Solar Snap holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solar Snap has 6.4K ratings behind it against 560, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 68% of Solar Eclipse Timer's written reviews are positive against 71% of Solar Snap's.

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, Solar Snap every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Solar Eclipse Timer | Solar Snap |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $1.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (560 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-eclipse-timer/id1203105865/reviews) | **[4.7 (6.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-snap/id1599230728/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 560 | **6.4K** |
| Positive reviews | 68.4% of reviews | **71.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Monthly** | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Best chart rank | — | **#185** |
| Size | 231 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.1 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Foxwood Astronomy, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1180239027) | [Rise Up Games](https://appshunter.io/developer/923703769) |

## What reviewers say

### Solar Eclipse Timer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-eclipse-timer/id1203105865)

This app provides precise countdowns and reminders for solar eclipse phenomena, aiding both casual observers and photographers. It works offline and offers features like automatic partial-phase image timing and a dedicated photographer mode.

**Highlights:** Offline eclipse timing, Precise contact time calculation, Photographer mode, Automatic partial-phase image timing, Geolocation and manual coordinate entry, Audio and notification tests

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Total - 7/2/19; Chile, Argenti | $1.99 | one-time |
| Total - 12/14/20; Chile, Argen | $1.99 | one-time |
| Total – 12/4/21; Antarctica | $1.99 | one-time |
| Hybrid – 4/20/23; Australia | $1.99 | one-time |
| Total – 4/8/24; USA, Mexico | $1.99 | one-time |
| Solar Eclipse Timer | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate timing and announcements
- 👍 Enhanced eclipse viewing experience
- 🎉 Worked flawlessly for 2017 and 2024 eclipses
- 💡 Helpful for photographers and non-photographers
- 🔊 Useful audio cues and prompts

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or glitches
- 🔍 Confusing or cluttered user interface
- 🔋 Audio prompts not working in some cases
- 🗺️ Inaccurate location detection or totality information

**Reported bugs**

- App crashing when loading timing data
- Notifications not working when camera is in use
- Incorrect contact times displayed for some locations

**Requested features**

- Customizable reminders or timers
- Automatic time zone and location updates
- Lunar eclipse support
- Improved onboarding and tutorial
- Countdown timer with graphical depiction


### Solar Snap

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-snap/id1599230728)

**Currently charting:** #185 Top Paid · Photo & Video (US App Store)

Capture stunning photos of the sun and solar eclipses with this comprehensive app. It includes a camera filter system and an offline simulator with detailed eclipse information and timings for global events. Prepare for upcoming eclipses with expert guidance.

**Highlights:** Solar eclipse photography, Camera filter integration, Offline global eclipse simulator, Detailed eclipse timings, Expert video instructions, Sun photography filter

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 High-quality and stable app
- 🚀 Excellent for capturing eclipse photos
- 🔍 Powerful camera controls (focus, zoom, exposure)
- 🤖 Automatic total eclipse mode works great
- 📸 Produces clear, crisp photos

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Issues with photos not being saved
- 🤔 Automatic lighting changes made photos terrible
- 🤷‍♂️ Struggled to capture partial eclipse stages
- 🧭 No option to use front-facing camera

**Reported bugs**

- Photos permission required error
- Velcro mount issues causing distortion

**Requested features**

- Add remote shutter support (e.g., Bluetooth, Apple Watch)
- Support for external lenses/telescopes
- Ability to select camera lens on multi-camera phones


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Solar Eclipse Timer free?

Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Solar Snap free?

Solar Snap costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Solar Eclipse Timer or Solar Snap?

Solar Snap is rated higher. Solar Eclipse Timer averages 3.8 out of 5 from 560 ratings, while Solar Snap averages 4.7 from 6.4K ratings.

### Do Solar Eclipse Timer or Solar Snap have ads?

Neither Solar Eclipse Timer nor Solar Snap shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Solar Eclipse Timer or Solar Snap?

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, and Solar Snap every 6 weeks. Most recently, Solar Eclipse Timer was updated on September 29, 2026 and Solar Snap on October 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.*