Astro Tools vs StarLoc
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Astro Tools
Read full descriptionHide full description
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/
StarLoc
This app provides precise GPS coordinates, altitude, and time data in a night-friendly interface for astronomers. It offers essential information for telescope alignment and observation, with a focus on preserving night vision.
- Night-friendly dark theme
- Accurate latitude and longitude (DMS)
- Decimal coordinate support
- Real-time GPS updates
- Local, UTC, and offset time
- Elevation in meters and feet
- Horizontal and vertical accuracy
Read full descriptionHide full description
StarLoc is a clean, distraction-free GPS tool designed specifically for stargazing. Get accurate latitude, longitude, altitude, and time in formats ready for telescope alignment all in a night-friendly interface. Built for the Night Sky • Unlike standard GPS apps, StarLoc uses a dark theme with red and green text to help preserve your night vision during astronomy sessions. Accurate Location Data • Latitude & Longitude (DMS format) • Decimal coordinates for quick entry • Real-time GPS updates • High-accuracy positioning data Time & Alignment Ready • Local time (12-hour & 24-hour) • UTC time and offset • Date display for precise telescope setup Altitude & Accuracy • Elevation in meters and feet • Horizontal and vertical accuracy readings Simple, focused and reliable. StarLoc provides the essential data you need to align your telescope and start observing. Perfect for backyard astronomers and dark-sky explorers alike.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: StarLoc at none against Astro Tools's 3. Astro Tools's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 2 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price and ads 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
Both are free to download. Astro Tools sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. StarLoc asks for nothing beyond the download.
Astro Tools ships an update every 10 days, StarLoc every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 16, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Astro Tools | StarLoc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 5.0 (3 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 3 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 2 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Paid |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 15 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 33 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dimitrios Kechagias | Daniel Schaich |
In-app purchases
Astro Tools
- 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
StarLoc
No in-app purchases









