Comparison

Good To Stargaze vs Step's Aurora Guide

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

Head to head
About

Good To Stargaze

This app provides a comprehensive tool to determine the best times for stargazing. It offers detailed forecasts for weather, seeing conditions, transparency, and light pollution. Ideal for both amateur and professional astronomers using any viewing equipment.

Highlights
  • Weather forecast
  • Seeing conditions
  • Transparency forecast
  • Light pollution data
  • Hourly forecasts
  • Long-term forecasts
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

When will it be good to stargaze? See the weather forecast, seeing, transparency, and light pollution, all in one convenient tool. Perfect for amateur and professional astronomers alike, for naked eye viewing, binoculars, or telescopes. Become a subscriber for 24-hour, 7-day, or 15-day hourly forecast and many other features. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period at the same price you originally paid. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase. Terms: https://www.goodtostargaze.com/terms

About

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.

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
Currently charting
Read full description

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

Good To Stargaze4 screens
Step's Aurora Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: Step's Aurora Guide at free with in-app purchases against Good To Stargaze's subscription. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Good To Stargaze's advantage is review sentiment (29% vs 14%) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, rating, ratings volume 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

Both are free to download. Good To Stargaze sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per 7 days 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Step's Aurora Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 226 and 117 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 29% of Good To Stargaze'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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Good To Stargaze ships an update every 2 months, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Good To Stargaze versus Step's Aurora Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGood To StargazeStep's Aurora Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (226 ratings)4.5 (117 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.9% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings226 — better117
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#178#150 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size72 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMatthew LLOYDSteps Aurora Guide

Customer experience

Good To Stargaze

All ratings217 ratings
Positive83.4%
Neutral5.5%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive28.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative60.0%

Step's Aurora Guide

All ratings113 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

Bugs and requests

Good To Stargaze

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App is a buggy site wrapper
  • App not working for current location
  • App shows previous 24 hours, not upcoming
  • App shows rain when it's clear
  • App doesn't work or is SUPER slow to load after Apple update
Show 1 more
  • Light pollution map not up to date

Requested features

9 requests
  • Grandfathering in initial users
  • Unique payment option instead of subscription
  • More precise geolocation feature
  • Map key for chart colors
  • Include light pollution map
Show 4 more
  • Update light pollution map data
  • Widget for the app
  • Fix app for Apple update
  • Add moon phases back to condition page

Step's Aurora Guide

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Good To Stargaze

Subscriptions10
  • Value Subscription - Weekly$0.497 Days
  • Value Subscription - Monthly7 Days trial$0.991 Month
  • Hobbyist Subscription - Weekly$1.997 Days
Show 7 more
  • Professional - Weekly$3.497 Days
  • Hobbyist - Monthly7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • Professional - Monthly7 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Value Subscription - Annual7 Days trial$6.991 Year
  • Elite Subscription - Monthly$13.991 Month
  • Hobbyist Subscription - Annual7 Days trial$25.991 Year
  • Professional - Annual7 Days trial$49.991 Year
3 purchases

Step's Aurora Guide

Subscriptions3
  • 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 Good To Stargaze free?
Good To Stargaze 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, Good To Stargaze or Step's Aurora Guide?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Good To Stargaze averages 4.4 out of 5 from 226 ratings, while Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.5 from 117 ratings.
Do Good To Stargaze or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?
Neither Good To Stargaze nor Step's Aurora Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Good To Stargaze or Step's Aurora Guide?
Good To Stargaze ships an update every 2 months, and Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Most recently, Good To Stargaze was updated on November 11, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on November 12, 2026.
Which is more popular, Good To Stargaze or Step's Aurora Guide?
Good To Stargaze currently peaks at #178 in the App Store charts, and Step's Aurora Guide at #150. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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