# KA vs Staslink

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: KA at none against Staslink's 8. KA also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 15.6). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Staslink sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. KA asks for nothing beyond the download.

KA ships an update every 5 weeks, Staslink every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 12, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | KA | Staslink |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.4 (20K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staslink-satellites-tracker/id1515415038/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **20K** |
| Positive reviews | — | 56.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 13 MB | 98 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Viasat Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/859724763) | [SMART WIDGET LABS COMPANY LIMITED](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561934122) |

## What reviewers say

### KA

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ka-sat-pointer-fma/id1318170392)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Staslink

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/staslink-satellites-tracker/id1515415038)

Track the International Space Station and Starlink satellites with real-time live maps and HD video feeds from NASA. Get personalized reminders for optimal viewing times and explore the universe from an astronaut's perspective.

**Highlights:** Live ISS & Starlink camera feed from NASA, Real-time global tracking with Live Map, Reminders for upcoming satellite visits, Visibility predictions and statistics, HD video of Earth from ISS, Smart Tracking Engine

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Weekly Premium Tracking | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Freetrial | $3.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Freetrial | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Monthly Premium | $12.99 | per month |
| Lifetime Premium | $24.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $29.99 | one-time |
| Lifetime | $34.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy setup
- 🚀 Fast internet speeds
- 💡 Useful satellite tracking
- 🔍 Informative app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent performance
- 🤔 Unclear instructions
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🚫 Limited free features

**Reported bugs**

- App freezing and crashing
- Incorrect satellite pass times
- Location detection issues
- Incompatibility with older devices

**Requested features**

- Ability to track specific satellites
- Improved location selection and storage
- Satellite pass notifications
- 3D sky view for better satellite visualization


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KA free?

KA is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Staslink free?

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

### Do KA or Staslink have ads?

Staslink shows ads; KA does not.

### Which is updated more often, KA or Staslink?

KA ships an update every 5 weeks, and Staslink every 2 months. Most recently, KA was updated on November 11, 2026 and Staslink on November 12, 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.*