Comparison

Solar Eclipse Timer vs piXPost XP

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

piXPost XP

Discover and share postal-related finds like stamps, postcards, and postboxes on a global map. Earn badges for your contributions and explore the stories behind mail from around the world. This community app is for philatelists and curious travelers alike.

Highlights
  • Map-based discovery of postal finds
  • Pinning for stamps, postcards, and postboxes
  • Upload images and short videos
  • Earn badges for contributions
  • Like posts and view global activity
  • Full-screen image/video viewer
Features
Read full description

piXPost is the world’s first map-based app for postal explorers. Share, discover, and celebrate the joy of stamps, postcards, postboxes — and the stories behind them. Whether you’re a seasoned philatelist or a casual traveler snapping photos of iconic boxes, piXPost lets you: -Drop pins for postal finds around the world -Choose from pin types like Stamps, Postcards, Postboxes, and Events -View and explore posts by location or theme -Earn badges for your contributions and discoveries -Like posts and view global activity -Upload up to 3 images and a short video per post New in version 1.3.8: XP1: Be the first to log a postbox and claim it! Full-screen image & video viewer with rotation support Improved filters, profiles, and badge system Admin-reviewed moderation for a safe, hobby-focused space piXPost is a community built by collectors, for collectors — and anyone curious about the world through the lens of mail.

Screenshots

Solar Eclipse Timer4 screens
piXPost XP4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: piXPost XP at 5.0 against Solar Eclipse Timer's 3.8. piXPost XP also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 68%) and monetization model (ad-supported vs free with in-app purchases). Solar Eclipse Timer's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (560 vs 11). On price, in-app purchases, 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. Solar Eclipse Timer sells 6 one-off in-app purchases and piXPost XP sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

piXPost XP 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 11, 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 88% of piXPost XP's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, piXPost XP fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and September 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Solar Eclipse Timer versus piXPost XP: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolar Eclipse TimerpiXPost XP
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (560 ratings)5.0 (11 ratings) — better
Positive reviews68.4% of reviews87.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings560 — better11
Update frequencyMonthlyFortnightly — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size231 MB95 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperFoxwood Astronomy, LLC.Graham Beck

Customer experience

Solar Eclipse Timer

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

piXPost XP

All ratings11 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%

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

piXPost XP

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

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
1 purchases

piXPost XP

One-time1
  • Additional Stamp Album Page$1.99

Questions

Is Solar Eclipse Timer free?
Solar Eclipse Timer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is piXPost XP free?
piXPost XP is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Solar Eclipse Timer or piXPost XP?
piXPost XP is rated higher. Solar Eclipse Timer averages 3.8 out of 5 from 560 ratings, while piXPost XP averages 5.0 from 11 ratings.
Do Solar Eclipse Timer or piXPost XP have ads?
piXPost XP shows ads; Solar Eclipse Timer does not.
Which is updated more often, Solar Eclipse Timer or piXPost XP?
Solar Eclipse Timer ships an update monthly, and piXPost XP fortnightly. Most recently, Solar Eclipse Timer was updated on October 7, 2026 and piXPost XP on September 28, 2026.

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