Comparison

Solar Eclipse Timer vs Gospel Stream

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

Head to head
About

Solar Eclipse Timer

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
Read full description

The Solar Eclipse Timer app is marking its 6th eclipse since 2017, which speaks volumes about its reliability and the trust it has built within the eclipse-chasing community. Helping tens of thousands of people enjoy the eclipse more by being reminded to observe all the fascinating eclipse phenomena. Photographers are aided by down-to-the-second precision and countdowns. Since the 2026 path covers some remote areas as well as high-traffic spots in Spain where cell service could be overwhelmed on eclipse day, the app works offline once unlocked. So, geolocation and contact time calculation are all done within the app. This makes it a true "field tool." The app is free to try, and for only a $1.99 in-app purchase to unlock the 2026 eclipse, it's an easy "yes" for anyone who has invested time and travel to be in the path of totality. In-App Video Tutorial: The first button on the Home Screen provides a comprehensive tutorial that explains all the app's functions and how to use them effectively. Audio and Notification Tests: The second button lets users run a "device sound check" to confirm that audio cues, spoken timings, and notifications are audible, which is critical since the app is designed to talk to you. Practice Session Video: The third button launches a 4-minute-45-second video of my actual eclipse-day observation site in 2024, synchronized with the app's real-time announcements. This allows both observers and photographers to practice their routines repeatedly, such as observing for shadow bands, adjusting shutter speeds, and knowing when to remove solar filters. Additionally, dialogue boxes appear as functions are selected, giving you more guidance. On eclipse day, after you get into the path, you can be timing the eclipse in 3 easy steps: 1. Tap to geolocate. 2. Tap to have the app calculate the precise contact times. 3. Tap to load the times into the timer. That's it! You are timing the eclipse. A major convenience feature of the app is the automatic calculation of the clock times needed to capture a perfect set of partial-phase images before and after totality. It is the only app in the world with this function. Collaborating with the late Fred Espenak (Mr. Eclipse) on Photographers Mode before the 2024 eclipse gives the app an incredible pedigree. For pros who need to stay "in the zone" and only care about timing and countdowns from C1 through C4, this mode is a game-changer. You can manually enter coordinates and save the site as a file. This helps compare multiple potential viewing locations. The app includes a hyperlink to the Solar Eclipse Timer website, which gives access to downloadable worksheets to record your partial-phase image times or the chores you want to do in Photographers mode, as well as my Master Stop Chart to count full and partial camera stops. I have observed and photographed six total solar eclipses and one annular eclipse. The concept of an eclipse “talking” timer was developed by me in 2002. I have been helping people time eclipses for almost 25 years. When you use the app, you will appreciate that it was designed by an eclipse chaser. There is also a link to learn more about my comprehensive eclipse observation and photography book, now in its second edition, titled “Eclipse Day.” The app also has a partial eclipse timing mode. This app is ad-free and does not track any user data. ALWAYS USE EYE PROTECTION DURING THE PARTIAL PHASES OF A SOLAR ECLIPSE! OR EVEN WHEN IT IS BRIGHT! NOT DOING SO CAN CAUSE EYE DAMAGE! We are NOT liable for misuse of the app, causing inaccurate timing, or the lack of eye safety precautions during the observation of a solar eclipse. The "glasses off" and "glasses on" statements are guides based on the calculated contact times. The timing can be affected by your phone's clock and the shape of the shadow due to the edge of the lunar limb. Use the Adjust buttons for Lunar Limb variation time adjustments. Glasses should be ON if it's bright!

About

Gospel Stream

Access live church broadcasts and a library of inspirational videos. This app provides uplifting content to support personal study and daily viewing of gospel messages. Enjoy an ad-free experience with notifications for upcoming events.

Highlights
  • Live church broadcasts
  • Browse inspirational videos
  • Key messages from the Church
  • Ad-free viewing experience
  • Notifications for broadcasts
Features
Read full description

View church broadcasts and videos on Gospel Stream. Gospel Stream is the official app for all broadcasts from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. When there’s no broadcast live, browse a selection of videos and key messages created by the Church to uplift your day, support your Come, Follow Me lessons, and make viewing gospel messages easier. Features: • Broadcasts, live events, and important messages from the Church • Browse and search for inspirational videos • Enjoy an ad free experience on broadcasts and on demand videos • Notifications when broadcasts are about to start

Screenshots

Solar Eclipse Timer4 screens
Gospel Stream4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Gospel Stream at none against Solar Eclipse Timer's 6. Gospel Stream also leads on rating (4.2 vs 3.8). Solar Eclipse Timer's advantage is review sentiment (68% vs 41%) and ratings volume (560 vs 162). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Solar Eclipse Timer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Gospel Stream asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Gospel Stream holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 560 and 162 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 68% of Solar Eclipse Timer's written reviews are positive against 41% of Gospel Stream's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, Gospel Stream every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Solar Eclipse Timer versus Gospel Stream: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolar Eclipse TimerGospel Stream
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (560 ratings)4.2 (162 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.4% of reviews — better40.6% of reviews
Number of ratings560 — better162
Update frequencyMonthly — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple TV
Requires iOS12.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size231 MB55 MB
Age rating17+12+
DeveloperFoxwood Astronomy, LLC.The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Customer experience

Solar Eclipse Timer

All ratings560 ratings
Positive68.0%
Neutral4.3%
Negative27.7%
Written reviews158 reviews
Positive68.4%
Neutral7.6%
Negative24.1%

Gospel Stream

All ratings162 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral4.9%
Negative17.3%
Written reviews64 reviews
Positive40.6%
Neutral10.9%
Negative48.4%

User reviews

Solar Eclipse Timer

From 560 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 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

Room to improve

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

Gospel Stream

From 162 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy navigation to live and recent broadcasts
  • 🎬 Wholesome, distraction-free content
  • 🔄 Background playback with saved progress
  • 📱 Multi-device availability
  • ✨ Clean, simple user interface

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes and glitches
  • ⚠️ Significant feature reduction from previous apps
  • 🔥 Device overheating during streaming
  • 📉 Limited radio/podcast options
  • 🎵 Music-heavy, lacks talk content

Bugs and requests

Solar Eclipse Timer

Reported bugs

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

Requested features

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

Gospel Stream

Reported bugs

13 issues
  • Sign-in errors with FamilySearch credentials
  • Circle notifications don't navigate to messages
  • Feedback submission returns server errors
  • Black screen with play button on iPhone 13 Pro
  • App doesn't resume from saved position
Show 8 more
  • Screen saver activates during Apple TV streaming
  • Casting to Apple TV stops playback
  • Auto-lock interrupts playback when casting
  • Login required repeatedly after closing app
  • Book of Mormon videos not working
  • Videos fail to load on some devices
  • Slow video spin-up time (2+ minutes)
  • Incompatibility with iOS 16.0 and earlier

Requested features

19 requests
  • Favorites/bookmarks feature
  • Up next/queue functionality
  • Continue watching across devices
  • Video trimming/clipping capability
  • Playlist and presentation creation
Show 14 more
  • Separate radio stations (talks vs. music)
  • Chromecast/Google Cast support
  • CarPlay and Android Auto integration
  • Audio-only streaming option
  • Screen-off background playback
  • Video progress saving/resume feature
  • Randomized music and talks stream
  • General Conference archive (30+ years)
  • Tabernacle Choir livestreams
  • Book of Mormon video collection organization
  • Testament and Legacy movie availability
  • Better search functionality
  • Sacrament meeting content
  • Notification badges for Circle messages

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Solar Eclipse Timer

One-time6
  • Total - 7/2/19; Chile, Argenti$1.99
  • Total - 12/14/20; Chile, Argen$1.99
  • Total – 12/4/21; Antarctica$1.99
Show 3 more
  • Hybrid – 4/20/23; Australia$1.99
  • Total – 4/8/24; USA, Mexico$1.99
  • Solar Eclipse Timer$1.99
None

Gospel Stream

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Solar Eclipse Timer free?
Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Gospel Stream free?
Gospel Stream is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Solar Eclipse Timer or Gospel Stream?
Gospel Stream is rated higher. Solar Eclipse Timer averages 3.8 out of 5 from 560 ratings, while Gospel Stream averages 4.2 from 162 ratings.
Do Solar Eclipse Timer or Gospel Stream have ads?
Neither Solar Eclipse Timer nor Gospel Stream shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Solar Eclipse Timer or Gospel Stream?
Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, and Gospel Stream every 5 weeks. Most recently, Solar Eclipse Timer was updated on September 20, 2026 and Gospel Stream on September 23, 2026.

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