Comparison

Solar Watch vs Luminos Pro

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

Head to head
About

Solar Watch

Visualize the sun and moon's path in augmented reality and on a 2D/3D map. Access detailed data on daylight, eclipses, and lunar phases. Simulate shadows with an interactive 3D tool.

Highlights
  • Augmented Reality sun/moon path
  • Multifunctional 2D/3D map
  • Shadow simulator
  • Detailed data tables
  • Eclipse and solstice tracking
  • Lunar phase calendar
Features
Read full description

Solar Watch is an essential digital tool for e.g. photographers, architects, prospective house buyers, garden enthusiasts and installers of solar panels. The intuitive, sleek interface provides access to a comprehensive range of professional functionalities. SOLAR and LUNAR PATH IN AR Augmented Reality projection of the position of the sun and moon at your current location. MULTIFUNCTIONAL MAP PRESENTATION Extensive 2D and 3D visualization of the solar and lunar path, compass mode and shadow simulator. You can see at a glance which side of a building gets the most hours of sunlight per day. DATA TABLES A comprehensive overview of sun positions, day and night lengths, sunrise and sunset times, golden hour and dusk (astronomical, nautical and civil). All solar eclipses, winter and summer solstices and equinoxes. All lunar eclipses, supermoon calendar, moon positions and visibility. Lunar phases, moonrise and moonset times. INTERACTIVE 3D SHADOW SIMULATOR Position a customizable 3D object on the map to have the app simulate its shadow at any time of year. No ads! The free version of the app shows all information about solar and lunar positions for your current time and location only. The paid Premium version of the app grants you access to global information for any time of year. Subscription: • Title: Full Version Subscription • Length of subscription: 6 months • Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal • Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase • Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Terms and conditions: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy policy: https://apps.redwoods.eu/privacy

About

Luminos Pro

Explore the cosmos with an all-in-one astronomy companion. Discover stars, planets, galaxies, and celestial events with extensive databases and interactive 3D models. Enhance your stargazing with augmented reality, virtual reality, and personalized viewing recommendations.

Highlights
  • Star gazing and 3D galaxy exploration
  • Extensive databases of celestial objects
  • On-device and custom recommendations
  • Motion tracking with AR and VR modes
  • 3D flight to satellites and spacecraft
  • Weather forecasts for stargazing
  • Telescope control and observation lists
Features
Read full description

Discover the Universe in High Definition Luminos Pro is a massive, all-in-one astronomy suite that brings the entire cosmos to your mobile device. Built around the largest offline databases available in any mobile astronomy app, Luminos Pro combines professional-grade data with stunning 3D graphics to deliver a fully customized stargazing experience—no internet connection required. Whether you are pointing your device at the sky using real-time AR motion tracking or flying across the galaxy in 3D, Luminos Pro makes the mysteries of the universe accessible to newcomers and seasoned astronomers alike. EXPLORE FOR FREE: * Massive Base Catalog: Over 5 million stars, deep-sky Messier objects, constellations, and meteor showers. * Our Solar System: Track all planets, moons, active comets, and bright satellites. * Time Travel: Explore 5,000 years of solar and lunar eclipses. * Immersive AR/VR: Seamless motion-tracking modes to identify objects overhead instantly. * Ecosystem Support: Includes an Apple Watch companion app and iOS Desktop Widgets. UNLOCK THE COSMOS (Subscription or All-Access Pass): Go beyond the backyard with deep-space navigation, professional catalogs, and advanced hardware integration. * 3D Space Flight: Leave Earth behind. Ride along with spacecraft, orbit exoplanets, or fly directly to distant stars and star clusters. * Professional Space Catalogs: Access over 250 million Gaia DR3 stars, the Washington Double Star Catalog, the GCVS, and every asteroid tracked by the Minor Planet Center. * Equipment & Telescope Control: Seamlessly connect to and control your telescope rig directly from the app. * Advanced Planning Tools: Get hyper-local weather forecasts, custom observation lists, and comprehensive nightly viewing recommendations on-demand. From casual stargazing to advanced astrophotography planning, Luminos Pro combines unmatched data depth with a beautiful, intuitive design. Unlock the universe today! End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Solar Watch4 screens
Luminos Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Luminos Pro at every 4 weeks against Solar Watch's every 2 months. On price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume 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. Solar Watch sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 6 months and Luminos Pro sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Solar Watch against 4.7 for Luminos Pro. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 117 and 254 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 77% of Solar Watch's written reviews are positive against 71% of Luminos Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Solar Watch ships an update every 2 months, Luminos Pro every 4 weeks. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Solar Watch versus Luminos Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSolar WatchLuminos Pro
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (117 ratings) — better4.7 (254 ratings)
Positive reviews76.9% of reviews — better70.9% of reviews
Number of ratings117254 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 4 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size39 MB1.8 GB
Age rating4++4
DeveloperZuzana EskinasiWobbleworks LLC

Customer experience

Solar Watch

All ratings117 ratings
Positive98.3%
Neutral0.9%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews39 reviews
Positive76.9%
Neutral7.7%
Negative15.4%

Luminos Pro

All ratings253 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral1.6%
Negative5.5%
Written reviews55 reviews
Positive70.9%
Neutral1.8%
Negative27.3%

Bugs and requests

Solar Watch

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Luminos Pro

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Satellite updates don't work
  • Deep sky objects not showing
  • App crashes when adding notes
  • Old notes disappeared after update
  • App keeps going black during exploration

Requested features

5 requests
  • Discount for lifetime license
  • Ability to transfer FOV and camera rotation to NINA
  • Ability to add pictures of viewed places and store them
  • Store and recall settings
  • Update for iOS 16 compatibility

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Solar Watch

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Version$5.996 Months
One-time1
  • Premium Version$11.99
5 purchases

Luminos Pro

Subscriptions3
  • Monthly subscription1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • Quarterly subscription1 Month trial$3.993 Months
  • Yearly subscription1 Month trial$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • Lifetime pass$24.99
  • Lifetime pass$39.99

Questions

Is Solar Watch free?
Solar Watch is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Luminos Pro free?
Luminos Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Solar Watch or Luminos Pro?
Solar Watch is rated higher. Solar Watch averages 4.8 out of 5 from 117 ratings, while Luminos Pro averages 4.7 from 254 ratings.
Do Solar Watch or Luminos Pro have ads?
Neither Solar Watch nor Luminos Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Solar Watch or Luminos Pro?
Solar Watch ships an update every 2 months, and Luminos Pro every 4 weeks. Most recently, Solar Watch was updated on November 6, 2026 and Luminos Pro on November 6, 2026.

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