Comparison

Smart SF vs DishPointer (Satellite Finder)

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

Head to head
About

Smart SF

This utility app uses your device's GPS and sensors to automatically calculate and graphically display the precise elevation, azimuth, and polarization angles needed for satellite dish alignment. It offers real-time online updates for satellite parameters and firmware.

Highlights
  • Automatic angle calculation (elevation, azimuth, polarization)
  • Real-time satellite parameter updates
  • Graphical display for easy alignment
  • Firmware updates for the device
  • Uses GPS and directional sensors
Features
Read full description

1. Smart satellite finder APP 2. Real time online updating of satellite parameters 3. Synchronous satellite parameters to SSF 4. Update firmware to SSF 5. Automatic calculation of elevation, azimuth and polarization angle from mobile phone / tablet GPS Horizontal sensors and directional sensors 6. Graphics display elevation, azimuth, antenna can be adjusted to the correct Angle in the fastest and simplest way

About

DishPointer (Satellite Finder)

This app simplifies satellite dish alignment using augmented reality and smartphone sensors. It guides users through a step-by-step process to precisely orient dishes for optimal signal reception, even compensating for gyroscope absence and magnetic declination.

Highlights
  • Augmented reality satellite view
  • Step-by-step installation guide
  • GPS location mapping
  • Compass and beep guidance
  • LNB polarization calculation
  • Elevation adjustment
  • Obstacle detection
Features
Read full description

DishPointer allows you to align your satellite dish with great precision in a minimum of time thanks to augmented reality. Adjusting a dish has always been complicated. but thanks to DishPointer this task becomes child's play. By following the 9 steps of the application, you will successfully install your dish in few minutes. No more need for a gyroscope to use augmented reality. We have combined the accelerometer and magnetometer data to compensate for the possible absence of the gyroscope. This allows the majority of smartphones to benefit from augmented reality. In DishPointer we have also integrated a module to calculate the magnetic declination and compensate the error between magnetic north and geographic north because we have noticed that the majority of smartphones do not integrate this declination. This help to display the right direction DishPointer is an application that lets you orient your dish or antenna to any satellite. Thanks to the sensors of your smartphone (Compass, accelerometer) this application displays the target satellite in space in order to better choose the location of your dish or antenna and to ensure the absence of any obstacle (wall, tree…). DishPointer also uses GPS to display your location on a map and then display the direction of the target satellite from your location. The compass accompanied by a beep allows you to orient your antenna or satellite dish by following the acceleration of the beeps and the arrow of the compass. The accelerometer is used to check that the support of your antenna or dish is vertical. The steps for adjusting the antenna or the dish: 1- choose your language 2- retrieving your GPS position automatically using GPS or manually by entering your latitude and longitude. 3- choose your target satellite to calculate the orientation parameters of the antenna or the satellite dish. 4- check that the support of your antenna or dish is vertical. 5- calculate the polarization and adjust the rotation of the LNB (the head of your antenna or satellite dish) 6- adjust the elevation 7- display of a line which indicates the orientation of the target satellite from your position on a Google Maps. 8- using the compass of your smartphone accompanied by a beep to help you find the right direction of the satellite (available in Pro version). 9- display the satellite in augmented reality thanks to your camera and make sure that there is no obstacle. This is used to validate the location of your antenna or dish (available in the Pro version). 10- refine the settings. For the app to work properly, DishPointer will need the compass and the accelerometer from your smartphone. Tips: - if your smartphone does not have a GPS, you can manually enter your latitude and longitude (you can get them on Google Maps). - the compass is only essential for the Pro version. - do not hesitate to recalibrate the compass and avoid approaching it too close to the arm of the parabola because it is sensitive to metallic elements. Try to place your smartphone where there is the least magnetic interference. The free version of DishPointer is enough for you to install your dish. It will calculate the orientation parameters and display the precise direction of the satellite on a Maps map. The Pro version offers you the use of augmented reality to see the exact position of satellites in space. It also provides you with an assistant based on the phone compass to display the exact direction of the target satellite. Contact: infosoftycontactfree@gmail.com

Screenshots

Smart SF3 screens
DishPointer (Satellite Finder)4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Smart SF at none against DishPointer (Satellite Finder)'s 1. Smart SF also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 13 months). DishPointer (Satellite Finder)'s advantage is ratings volume (235 vs 6) and rating (4.7 vs 4.5). On price 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. DishPointer (Satellite Finder) sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Smart SF asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

DishPointer (Satellite Finder) holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: DishPointer (Satellite Finder) has 235 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Smart SF ships an update every 2 months, DishPointer (Satellite Finder) every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Smart SF versus DishPointer (Satellite Finder): the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSmart SFDishPointer (Satellite Finder)
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6 ratings)4.7 (235 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—76.0% of reviews
Number of ratings6235 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 13 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS8.0 — better12.0
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB68 MB
Age rating17+4+
Developer强 张Souria HAKKAR

Customer experience

Smart SF

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%

DishPointer (Satellite Finder)

All ratings235 ratings
Positive92.3%
Neutral3.8%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral4.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Smart SF

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

DishPointer (Satellite Finder)

One-time1
  • Unlock all features & hide ads$2.99

Questions

Is Smart SF free?
Smart SF is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is DishPointer (Satellite Finder) free?
DishPointer (Satellite Finder) is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Smart SF or DishPointer (Satellite Finder)?
DishPointer (Satellite Finder) is rated higher. Smart SF averages 4.5 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while DishPointer (Satellite Finder) averages 4.7 from 235 ratings.
Do Smart SF or DishPointer (Satellite Finder) have ads?
DishPointer (Satellite Finder) shows ads; Smart SF does not.
Which is updated more often, Smart SF or DishPointer (Satellite Finder)?
Smart SF ships an update every 2 months, and DishPointer (Satellite Finder) every 13 months. Most recently, Smart SF was updated on October 7, 2026 and DishPointer (Satellite Finder) on October 10, 2026.

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