Comparison

Astro Tools vs Z80CPM

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

Head to head
About

Astro Tools

Features
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Every astronomy tool, in a single app. Astro Tools brings together the astronomy tools from Polar Scope Align Pro and Xasteria, while adding new tools including an Augmented Reality Sky Planner and a Digital Finderscope. It is a complete toolkit for amateur astronomers: plan the night, find targets, aim a telescope, check the weather, follow satellites, calculate an imaging setup and explore the sky - all from one app. PLAN THE NIGHT SKY Use any date, time and location to plan ahead. Browse Moon phases by month, with Moon and Sun rise, set and altitude graphs plus twilight times. Compare astronomy-focused forecasts for cloud layers, seeing, transparency, wind and precipitation, or use the Multi forecast to combine 7Timer’s astronomy data with MET Norway or Apple Weather forecasts. Check aurora forecasts, light pollution, animated satellite cloud maps, and the visibility of the ISS and other bright satellites. WIDGETS Keep essential observing information on your Home Screen. Widgets provide astronomy weather forecasts, aurora conditions and upcoming satellite passes. FIND AND OBSERVE Explore more than 22,000 deep-sky objects, stars and Solar System targets. Search, filter and create observing lists, then see object details and altitude charts. Turn a manual telescope into a Push-To system: attach your phone, select a target and follow live arrows. Sync on a known star or use star-hopping for improved accuracy. Digital Finderscope provides a live, zoomable sky map that follows your phone and guides you to a selected target. SEE THE SKY IN AUGMENTED REALITY AR Sky Planner overlays a star chart on your live camera view. Move through time to see where targets will be above the horizon or behind landmarks, whether you are planning an observing session or a nightscape photograph. LOCATE OBJECTS IN YOUR ASTROPHOTOS Plate Solver identifies the stars in a photo to find its sky coordinates, field of view and orientation. Overlay constellation lines and object labels on the image. ALIGN, MEASURE AND CONTROL Polar-align a star tracker or equatorial mount without a polar scope, even in daylight. Start with the compass or calibrate using the camera on the Sun, Moon or stars. Use Laser / Hop Align when the pole star is obstructed, measure level and tilt, inspect GPS and sensor data, or control compatible iOptron WiFi mounts. FOR OBSERVERS AND IMAGERS More than 30 calculators cover observing and astrophotography, with shared inputs and remembered values for quick comparisons. Find and simulate solar eclipses for your exact location, and use tools for field of view, magnification, exposure, focal length, image scale and more. Whether you observe with binoculars, a manual telescope, a GoTo mount or an imaging rig, Astro Tools keeps the information and practical tools you need close at hand. Many tools are completely free, for the rest there is a single Pro subscription with a free trial. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Z80CPM

Experience the classic CP/M operating system on your iOS or Mac device with a full Z80 processor emulator. Run authentic CP/M software, including operating systems, word processors, programming languages, and text adventures. Works offline with support for multiple disk images.

Highlights
  • Full Z80 emulation
  • VT100 terminal support
  • Multiple disk image mounting
  • Offline functionality
  • Native Mac support
  • Downloadable CP/M disk images
Features
Read full description

RomWBW CP/M brings the classic CP/M operating system to your iPhone, iPad, and Mac with a full Z80 processor emulator. FEATURES • Full Z80 Emulation - Accurate instruction emulation runs authentic CP/M software • VT100 Terminal - ANSI escape sequence support for text adventures and productivity apps • Multiple Disk Support - Mount up to 4 disk images simultaneously • Download Disk Images - Fetch CP/M disk images directly from the RomWBW project • Works Offline - Downloaded disk images are stored locally • Native Mac Support - Runs natively on macOS via Mac Catalyst CLASSIC SOFTWARE Run the software that defined personal computing: • Operating Systems: CP/M 2.2, CP/M 3, ZSDOS, NZCOM, ZPM3 • Word Processing: WordStar • Programming: Turbo Pascal, Microsoft BASIC • Text Adventures: Zork, Adventure, Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy • Databases: dBASE II • And thousands more CP/M programs GETTING STARTED 1. Open Settings and download a disk image (CP/M 2.2 recommended) 2. Select the disk image for Unit 0 3. Press Play to start the emulator 4. Press 0 at the boot menu to boot from disk BUILT ON ROMWBW This emulator is built on the RomWBW HBIOS platform, the same firmware used by real retro Z80 hardware projects. Disk images are downloaded from the official RomWBW project and include freely distributable CP/M software. TECHNICAL DETAILS • 80x25 character terminal display • hd1k disk format (8MB per slice, 64MB per disk) • Hardware keyboard support • Portrait and landscape orientation Perfect for retrocomputing enthusiasts, computer history education, or anyone who wants to experience the operating system that launched the personal computer revolution.

Screenshots

Astro Tools4 screens
Z80CPM1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Z80CPM at none against Astro Tools's 3. 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. Astro Tools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Z80CPM asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
Astro Tools versus Z80CPM: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstro ToolsZ80CPM
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—2 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 10 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS1515.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDimitrios KechagiasAaron Wohl

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Astro Tools

Subscriptions3
  • Astro Tools Pro Monthly3 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Astro Tools Pro 6 Months3 Days trial$2.996 Months
  • Astro Tools Pro Annual3 Days trial$4.991 Year
None

Z80CPM

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Astro Tools free?
Astro Tools is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Z80CPM free?
Z80CPM is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Astro Tools or Z80CPM have ads?
Neither Astro Tools nor Z80CPM shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Astro Tools or Z80CPM?
Astro Tools ships an update every 10 days, and Z80CPM every 10 days. Most recently, Astro Tools was updated on October 10, 2026 and Z80CPM on October 5, 2026.

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