Comparison

lustar vs Sky Planner

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

Head to head
About

lustar

This app provides hourly stargazing forecasts by combining local weather predictions with light pollution data. It features a searchable global map to help users find optimal viewing locations.

Highlights
  • Hourly stargazing forecasts
  • Light pollution data integration
  • Searchable world map
  • Local weather forecasts
  • Optimal viewing location finder
Features
Read full description

The two biggest factors keeping you from finding that perfect star gazing location are light pollution and weather. Using local weather forecasts and light pollution data, Lustar gives you a searchable map of the world with hourly stargazing forecasts for every location. Check out the Dark Site locations if you're not sure where to start.

About

Sky Planner

Plan your astrophotography sessions with real-time sky quality forecasts and astronomy signals. Compare observing spots and find the best windows for capturing the night sky.

Highlights
  • Sky quality tracking
  • Observing spot comparison
  • Best observing window identification
  • Milky Way visibility and direction
  • Offline forecast fallback
  • Home screen widget
Features
Read full description

Is tonight worth heading out under the stars? Make your plan before you pack. DarkScout brings cloud cover, Moon conditions, darkness and observing targets into one place. Every feature is included, with no trial or subscription required. KNOW WHEN TO GO Check your Tonight recommendation, Astro Score and best observing window. Open Score Lens to understand which conditions help your night and which get in the way. PLAN YOUR NEXT SESSION Choose a target, date and location. Plan up to 14 nights ahead, compare observing locations and explore the full astronomical object catalog. BUILD YOUR OBSERVING HABIT Explore 14 observing challenges with practical steps, local progress and direct links to the planning tools you need. CHECK BEFORE YOU DRIVE Review the 72-hour cloud-cover map, save unlimited observing spots and use horizon profiles to plan around your view. Set location alerts and your own thresholds. ENJOY THE NIGHT TOGETHER Browse astrophotos, share original-quality images, or join and host observing sessions with participant chat and weather backup plans. For stargazing with your eyes, binoculars or a telescope, and for planning astrophotography. Forecasts can change; recheck conditions before leaving. Requires iOS 26 or later. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

lustar3 screens
Sky Planner4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: lustar at none against Sky Planner's 2. lustar also leads on iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). Sky Planner's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 96 months) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). On price, ratings volume, ads and device support 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. Sky Planner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. lustar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Sky Planner holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of lustar's written reviews are positive against 100% of Sky Planner's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

lustar ships an update every 96 months, Sky Planner every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
lustar versus Sky Planner: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterlustarSky Planner
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (9 ratings)4.8 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 96 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size191 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTHIRSTY FISH LLCSebastian Mraz

Customer experience

lustar

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral20.0%
Negative0.0%

Sky Planner

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

lustar

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Sky Planner

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly PRO$2.491 Month
  • Yearly PRO$14.991 Year

Questions

Is lustar free?
lustar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Sky Planner free?
Sky Planner is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, lustar or Sky Planner?
Sky Planner is rated higher. lustar averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Sky Planner averages 4.8 from 4 ratings.
Do lustar or Sky Planner have ads?
Neither lustar nor Sky Planner shows ads.
Which is updated more often, lustar or Sky Planner?
lustar ships an update every 96 months, and Sky Planner every 2 weeks. Most recently, lustar was updated on October 12, 2026 and Sky Planner on October 28, 2026.

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