# Solar Eclipse Timer vs Kōlab

The clearest difference is rating: Kōlab at 5.0 against Solar Eclipse Timer's 3.8. Kōlab also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (100% vs 68%). Solar Eclipse Timer's advantage is ratings volume (560 vs 14) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Solar Eclipse Timer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Kōlab asks for nothing beyond the download.

Kōlab holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Solar Eclipse Timer has 560 ratings behind it against 14, 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 100% of Kōlab's.

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, Kōlab fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Solar Eclipse Timer | Kōlab |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (560 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/solar-eclipse-timer/id1203105865/reviews) | **[5.0 (14 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kolab-photography-community/id6740344379/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **560** | 14 |
| Positive reviews | 68.4% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 231 MB | 108 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 17+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [Foxwood Astronomy, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1180239027) | [Kolab Social Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1789592895) |

## 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


### Kōlab

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kolab-photography-community/id6740344379)

This app fosters a collaborative environment for photographers to improve their skills through creative challenges and personalized feedback. It focuses on specific disciplines like aviation and landscape, offering a community-driven approach to artistic growth without algorithmic interference.

**Highlights:** Weekly creative missions, Personalized technique feedback, Real collaboration with other photographers, Discipline-specific communities, High-resolution image sharing, Growth tracking with XP and levels

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Solar Eclipse Timer free?

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

### Is Kōlab free?

Kōlab is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

Kōlab is rated higher. Solar Eclipse Timer averages 3.8 out of 5 from 560 ratings, while Kōlab averages 5.0 from 14 ratings.

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

Neither Solar Eclipse Timer nor Kōlab shows ads.

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

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, and Kōlab fortnightly. Most recently, Solar Eclipse Timer was updated on September 20, 2026 and Kōlab on September 24, 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.*