Comparison

Eclipse Run vs Light Pollution Map

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

Head to head
About

Eclipse Run

Plan your perfect viewing spot for upcoming solar eclipses. Get detailed maps, duration estimates, weather forecasts, and driving directions. Receive real-time alerts as you approach and enter the path of totality.

Highlights
  • Eclipse path mapping
  • Totality duration estimation
  • Weather forecasts
  • Driving directions via Maps
  • Real-time totality zone alerts
  • Plan Ahead bonus eclipse information
Features
Read full description

Eclipse Run lets you pick the best spot for you to experience—live and in person!—Available in two languages (English and Spanish) it covers the eclipse of August 12th 2026 (From Iceland to Spain), and with Plan Ahead you get a bonus eclipse, that of August 2nd 2027. This app shows maps marking the zone where you can see the total eclipse. In the middle of the zone, is the line of maximum totality (over 2 minutes, depending on the location) The app now gives you the approximate duration of the eclipse at all spots within the zone of totality. The maximum totality for the bonus eclipse is over 6 minutes. You just hold your finger on various spots at intersections between this line of maximum totality and a road. A dot appears. Next, by tapping on that dot, you can learn what the weather will be like at your desired location. Plus you’ll get detailed driving instructions via Maps. On your journey, Eclipse Run gives you alerts when you enter the zone of totality, and when you cross the line of maximum totality. It’s easy to understand. It will help you experience this miracle of nature—totally! The Plan Ahead feature, will give you even more information, such as historical average cloud cover and more!

About

Light Pollution Map

Visualize sky brightness data, including VIIRS and SQM measurements, to understand light pollution levels. Explore various overlays like cloud coverage, aurora forecasts, and observatory locations. Offers offline access to essential maps.

Highlights
  • VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas, Cloud, Aurora layers
  • Color blind friendly color options
  • Cloud animation
  • SQM/SQC readings submission
  • International dark sky parks overlay
  • Offline mode
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The map displays VIIRS/World Atlas/Clouds/Aurora/IAU observatories and the user SQM measurements. The primary use is to show VIIRS/DMSP data in a friendly manner, but over time it also included some other interesting overlays that concern light pollution like SQM/SQC, World Atlas 2015 zenith brightness, clouds, aurora and IAU observatories. If you have a permanent SQM reader installed you can add it to the map by sending me an e-mail. Please send comments and requests for new features via email (look under help) Functionalities: - VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas 2015, Cloud coverage and Aurora forecast layers - VIIRS and Sky Brightness layers can be displayed in color blind friendly colors - Road & Satellite base maps - Cloud animation for the last 12 hours - Get detail radiance and SQM values from layers at a click. For Sky brightness/World Atlas 2015, you also get Bortle class estimation. - SQM, SQM-L, SQC, SQM-LE, SQM readings submitted by users - International dark sky parks overlay - Submit your own SQM (L) readings - Observatories layer - Save your favorite locations - Distance measurement tool with azimuth angle report - All-sky view of light pollution with real horizon - Offline mode (Sky brightness map and a base map are saved to your device, so it will be displayed when you are offline)

Screenshots

Eclipse Run4 screens
Light Pollution Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Eclipse Run at Free against Light Pollution Map's $4.99. Light Pollution Map's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and chart position (#35 vs unranked). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Eclipse Run is free to download; Light Pollution Map costs $4.99 up front. Eclipse Run sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Light Pollution Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Light Pollution Map holds the better App Store score, 4.1 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 12 and 46 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 62% of Eclipse Run's written reviews are positive against 57% of Light Pollution Map's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Eclipse Run ships an update every 6 weeks, Light Pollution Map every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 3, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Eclipse Run versus Light Pollution Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEclipse RunLight Pollution Map
PriceFree — better$4.99
Rating3.9 (12 ratings)4.1 (46 ratings) — better
Positive reviews61.5% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1246 — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank—#35 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size12 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMartine HabibJurij Stare

Customer experience

Eclipse Run

All ratings12 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews13 reviews
Positive61.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative38.5%

Light Pollution Map

All ratings46 ratings
Positive76.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative19.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Eclipse Run

One-time1
  • Plan Ahead$1.99
None

Light Pollution Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Eclipse Run free?
Eclipse Run is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Light Pollution Map free?
Light Pollution Map costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Eclipse Run or Light Pollution Map?
Light Pollution Map is rated higher. Eclipse Run averages 3.9 out of 5 from 12 ratings, while Light Pollution Map averages 4.1 from 46 ratings.
Do Eclipse Run or Light Pollution Map have ads?
Neither Eclipse Run nor Light Pollution Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Eclipse Run or Light Pollution Map?
Eclipse Run ships an update every 6 weeks, and Light Pollution Map every 3 months. Most recently, Eclipse Run was updated on September 3, 2026 and Light Pollution Map on September 23, 2026.

Other comparisons