Astroweather vs Solar Activity
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Astroweather
This app provides specialized weather forecasts for astronomical observation. It includes astronomical event predictions, light pollution maps, and satellite imagery. Users can also track rise and set times for celestial bodies.
- Astronomical weather forecasts
- Sunset/sunrise and moonrise/moonset display
- Astronomical event forecast
- Light pollution map
- Satellite images
- Rise and set times for celestial bodies
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Astroweather is weather forecast dedicated to weather for astronomical observation Astroweather is derived from product from 7timer.org, incorporated astronomical weather forecast and sunset/sunrise, moonrise/moonset display Web-based metrological forecast products, mainly derived from the NOAA/NCEP-based numeric weather model, the Global Forecast System (GFS). 7Timer! was firstly established in July 2005 as an exploration product under supported of the National Astronomical Observatories of China and had been largely renovated in 2008 and 2011. Currently it is supported by the Shanghai Astronomical Observatory of Chinese Academy of Sciences. It was firstly designed as a weather forecast tool for astronomical purpose, as the author himself is a long-term star gazer and was always annoyed by fluky weather conditions. Astroweather also provide services including: 1. Astronomical event forecast 2. Light pollution map, satellite images 3. Rise and set times for stars, planets, moons and satellites
Solar Activity
Track solar activity with a forecast for magnetic storms up to 27 days in advance. View the latest images and videos of the sun, and monitor key metrics like the Kp index and sunspots.
- Magnetic storm forecast
- Kp index forecast (3-27 days)
- Aurora borealis predictions
- Sunspot tracking
- Solar wind monitoring
- Latest SOHO/SDO images & videos
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Monitor solar activity. Get a solar storm forecast for the next 3-27 days and view the latest images and videos from SOHO/SDO. Also includes: - magnetic storm forecast - Kp index forecast for 3/27 days - aurora borealis - sunspots - solar wind
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Astroweather at 75% against Solar Activity's 25%. Astroweather also leads on rating (3.3 vs 1.0) and update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months). Solar Activity's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Astroweather sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Solar Activity asks for nothing beyond the download.
Astroweather holds the better App Store score, 3.3 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Astroweather has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Astroweather's written reviews are positive against 25% of Solar Activity's.
Astroweather ships an update monthly, Solar Activity every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Astroweather | Solar Activity |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.3 (9 ratings) — better | 1.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 25.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Ad-supported — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 46 MB | 33 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 林峰 李 | Pavel Koyushev |
Customer experience
Astroweather
Solar Activity
In-app purchases
Astroweather
- Astroweather PRO$1.99
Solar Activity
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Astroweather free?
Is Solar Activity free?
Which has better reviews, Astroweather or Solar Activity?
Do Astroweather or Solar Activity have ads?
Which is updated more often, Astroweather or Solar Activity?
Other comparisons
