# Fotocast vs Step's Aurora Guide

The clearest difference is rating: Step's Aurora Guide at 4.6 against Fotocast's 3.8. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on chart position (#142 vs unranked). Fotocast's advantage is review sentiment (30% vs 14%) and device support (4 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Fotocast sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and Step's Aurora Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Step's Aurora Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 88 and 113 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 30% of Fotocast's written reviews are positive against 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Fotocast ships an update fortnightly, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Fotocast | Step's Aurora Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.8 (88 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fotocast/id1270587588/reviews) | **[4.6 (113 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 88 | **113** |
| Positive reviews | **30.0% of reviews** | 14.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#142** |
| Size | 188 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dunbar Technology, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1200379778) | [Steps Aurora Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896765831) |

## What reviewers say

### Fotocast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fotocast/id1270587588)

This app provides hyperlocal weather forecasts specifically tailored for outdoor photographers. It offers unique tools like a "Fotoscore" for optimal conditions, sunrise/sunset quality predictions, and minute-by-minute precipitation alerts. Plan your photo sessions with confidence, get gear-based suggestions, and access historical weather data.

**Highlights:** Hyperlocal weather forecasts, Fotoscore™ for photography conditions, Sunrise & Sunset quality prediction, Minutely precipitation alerts, Daylight phases (blue hour, golden hour), Photo suggestions based on weather & gear, Photo session manager, Animated radar & weather maps

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Fotocast Premium Monthly | $4.99 | per month |
| Fotocast Premium Annual | $29.99 | per year |
| Fotocast Premium - One Time | $19.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Great idea for photographers
- 👍 Useful for planning photography
- 💡 Concise and useful information
- 💡 Replaces multiple apps
- 👍 Active and responsive developer (historically)

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes frequently
- 🐛 App doesn't load location
- 🐛 No data available
- 🐛 Subscription issues
- 🐛 Abandoned app

**Reported bugs**

- Nothing working
- No data available
- Never updated to my location
- App is abandoned
- Nothing loads in any category

**Requested features**

- Pull apps down if abandoned
- Remove payment options from abandoned apps
- Fix app updates
- One-time payment option instead of subscription
- Fix app to work


### Step's Aurora Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757)

**Currently charting:** #142 Top Grossing · Weather, #155 Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

This app provides aurora forecasts, alerts, and expert photography advice. It helps users plan and capture stunning aurora images with real-time data, geomagnetic forecasts, and personalized guidance.

**Highlights:** 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast, Moon phase and darkness alignment, Real-time aurora probability, Hour-by-hour weather updates, Expert photography advice, Custom location comparison

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alerts, Forecast & Guide | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Alerts, Forecast & Guide | $6.99 | per month |
| Alerts, Forecast & Guide | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Fotocast free?

Fotocast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Step's Aurora Guide free?

Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Fotocast or Step's Aurora Guide?

Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Fotocast averages 3.8 out of 5 from 88 ratings, while Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 from 113 ratings.

### Do Fotocast or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?

Neither Fotocast nor Step's Aurora Guide shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Fotocast or Step's Aurora Guide?

Fotocast ships an update fortnightly, and Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Most recently, Fotocast was updated on October 13, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on October 15, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*