AuroraCast vs Step's Aurora Guide
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AuroraCast
This app provides detailed aurora forecasts, including KP index, magnetic field data, and cloud cover maps. It also features live webcams, light pollution maps, and customizable alerts to help you find and view the Northern and Southern Lights.
- KP & Magnetic Field Info
- Aurora Forecast Graphs
- Live Aurora Maps
- Light Pollution Map
- Cloud Cover Map
- Live Webcams
- Aurora Alerts
- Widgets
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AuroraCast is the highest rated aurora forecast, northern lights, and southern lights app available for mobile devices. AuroraCast is an accurate and powerful aurora borealis forecast app, but there's many more features found inside that you won't find in any other aurora forecast app! Some features include KP + Magnetic field info, Light Pollution Map, Cloud Cover Map, Northern Lights Webcams, Weather Forecast, Aurora Alerts, Live Aurora Map, Sun & Moon Information, Widgets, and more! Scroll down to see a detailed summary of the most important features in AuroraCast. ••• Live KP & Magnetic Field Info ••• Only the best information and data for the hardcore aurora borealis hunter. Get a fast-loading and accurate KP value indicator to know when the aurora borealis will be active. AuroraCast also has live magnetic field info such as Bz, Density, and Speed! ••• Aurora Forecast ••• Unleash the power of easy to read graphs to see a forecast of realistic and potential KP values over the next few hours. Always know when the best days and times will be to see the Northern Lights & Southern Lights. Leverage the power of 27-day KP forecasts. ••• Live Aurora Maps ••• See where the best viewing of the aurora borealis currently is on our live aurora map. Our aurora map supports both Northern Lights and Southern Lights! You can also use an intuitive aurora location map to see the aurora visibility chance at locations around the world! ••• Light Pollution Map & Cloud Cover Map ••• The integrated Light Pollution Map helps you find the darkest places near you for the best viewing of the aurora borealis, and the night sky. Our light pollution map has global coverage and is the most detailed and accurate light pollution map available. Or before you even step outside, you will know if the aurora will even be visible at all and not obscured by heavy cloud coverage with the cloud cover map! ••• Live Northern Lights Webcams ••• Watch live northern lights webcams from around the world, in one quick and convenient location. ••• SWPC Advisories ••• See warnings, advisories, and alerts from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center. ••• Widgets ••• Prefer using today widgets to get quick information? With a quick glance to your iOS home screen, you will know if it's a good time to go outside and see the aurora borealis! ••• Aurora Tours ••• Find information on booking aurora sightseeing tours!! ••• Weather ••• Cloud coverage, temperature, precipitation, humidity, fog, and more! ••• Alerts ••• Configure the app to send you alerts for when the aurora is visible at your location, and/or when global geomagnetic activity is high! Never miss the aurora again! ••• Sun & Moon Info ••• Get Sunrise, Sunset, Moonrise, Moonset times; as well as the Moon's phase! ••• Solar & Heliospheric Sun Images ••• See live images of the Sun in different spectrums and wavelengths from NASA's SOHO! ••• Automatic Data Saving ••• AuroraCast remembers the last aurora forecast data you retrieved, in case you travel to an aurora viewing location that does not have internet connection or data access. ••• In-App Help & Support ••• Get help, when you need it. ••• And a lot more! ••• Some features above are not available in the free version and may require an additional in-app purchase to AuroraCast Pro. AuroraCast Pro is a one time purchase of $5.99 USD and helps us to keep this great app running. The northern lights are beautiful and fantastic to witness. APIs Used: Dark Sky Auroraslive.IO Northern Lights Aurora Forecast
Step's Aurora Guide
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.
- 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
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Created by an aurora photographer, the app is your perfect companion for aurora adventures. Make informed decisions, get timely alerts, and improve your chances of seeing and capturing the northern lights and aurora australis. Discover the features that make this app indispensable: Timely Alerts Don't miss the aurora. Receive notifications about elevated Kp-index levels in the coming days and when your chances of witnessing the aurora within the next hour are becoming high. Get the notice you need to be ready. Real-time Aurora Forecast Witness the aurora probability in real-time with the SWPC Ovation aurora forecast. Instantly see current aurora probabilities, monitor unfolding trends, and pinpoint the anticipated peak times — all tailored for your location. These insights pair perfectly with aurora alerts. Additionally, solar wind parameters offer a deeper understanding of current aurora activity. Precise Decision-making Make informed choices for tonight and beyond. Access hour-by-hour updates on geomagnetic activity, cloud coverage, temperature, and wind forecast. Compare conditions for your current location and up to 5 custom spots. Advanced Planning Stay one step ahead with our 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast. Seamlessly align your photography sessions with the optimal moon phase and ensure darkness prevails in your selected locations. Track the aurora season from the start. Expert Text Guide Receive tailored advice based on aurora and weather forecasts, moon positioning, and your location. Discover whether the aurora will grace the horizon or dance overhead. Optimise your shots with tips on capturing reflections and shooting under moonlight. Benefit from forecast-based recommendations and camera settings guidance. Additional Features and Beyond Experience a range of other useful features, with more updates on the horizon. Global Applicability The app is designed for global use in all regions where auroras can be visible, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and more. Aurora looks the same — the landscape makes the difference. Subscription Options The app is available with a weekly, monthly, or yearly auto-renewable subscription, each with a 3-day free trial and full access to all app features, including High Kp-index and Aurora alerts. Download the app and start your 3-day free trial today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Step's Aurora Guide at 4.6 against AuroraCast's 2.3. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on ratings volume (116 vs 3) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). AuroraCast's advantage is device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (10.0 vs 16.0). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases 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. AuroraCast sells 2 one-off in-app purchases 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 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Step's Aurora Guide has 116 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 17% of AuroraCast'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.
AuroraCast ships an update every 2 months, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AuroraCast | Step's Aurora Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 2.3 (3 ratings) | 4.6 (116 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 16.7% of reviews — better | 14.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 3 | 116 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | #191 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone |
| Requires iOS | 10.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 112 MB | 37 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Dunbar Technology, LLC | Steps Aurora Guide |
Customer experience
AuroraCast
Step's Aurora Guide
In-app purchases
AuroraCast
- AuroraCast Pro Discounted$3.99
- AuroraCast Pro$5.99
Step's Aurora Guide
- Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$4.997 Days
- Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$6.991 Month
- Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Questions
Is AuroraCast free?
Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Which has better reviews, AuroraCast or Step's Aurora Guide?
Do AuroraCast or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?
Which is updated more often, AuroraCast or Step's Aurora Guide?
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