Satellite Tracker vs iFTx
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Satellite Tracker
Track satellites, the Sun, and the Moon with rise/set times and visibility calculations. Visualize Earth with 3D globe or 2D map views and customize tracking options. Offers free basic functionality with optional subscriptions for expanded satellite access.
- Satellite, Sun, and Moon tracking
- Rise/set times and visibility calculations
- 3D globe and 2D map Earth views
- Customizable tracking options
- Free basic functionality
- Optional satellite subscription plans
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Satellite Tracker is the follow on to our award winning HamSat series of applications. Satellite Tracker merges all the features of the iPhone and iPad versions providing you a single application that seamlessly optimizes the screen to the device you’re running it on (check out the various iPhone and iPad screen shots). The application will calculate the rise/set times and associated azimuth and elevation for the selected satellite, Sun or Moon given either the user entered or network retrieved location. There are two modes for satellite rise/set calculations. The first is for those folks wanting to know all overflights for a given location (like Ham radio operators) while the second mode computes only those passes where the satellite would be visible to a ground observer. In the ground observer mode, the calculations not only take into account that the ground is dark but also that the satellite is in sunlight (it even takes into account if the satellite becomes lit or unlit during the pass) In addition, you can see the Earth rendered either as a 3D globe or a 2D map using photo realistic texture maps for the Earth model. The orientation of the map is easily changed by a simple rotation of the device from portrait (3D) to landscape (2D). In either orientation you can zoom in and out as well as pan using the touch screen. There are more than a dozen controls provided to allow you to customize how the application works to meet your specific needs (type of Earth texture used, location, type of overflight calculated…) Finally, the application is now free to download and provides full functionality for tracking, viewing and communicating with the International Space Station (what was the capability of the ISS family of paid apps). The following subscriptions are available for tracking and communicating with a larger set of satellites: -HamSat (Annual and Monthly): Provides access to the NORAD and AMSAT two line element sets which cover all amateur related satellites. -ProSat (Annual and Monthly): Provides access to thousands of satellites grouped into the following categories (from www.celestrak.com): -100 (or so) Brightest -Last 30 Day’s Launches (or so) -Amateur Ham Radio Satellites -CubeSats -Disaster Monitoring -Earth Resources -Education -Engineering -Geodetic -Geostationary -GOES -GPS Operational -Intelsat -Iridium -Molniya -NOAA -Orbcomm -Search & Rescue (SARSAT) -Space & Earth Science -Space Station -Weather To get a feel for the apps, please checkout the iPad quickstart video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tiHCGxV0WM8) and associated user’s guide (http://www.vosworx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SatSeriesHD.pdf) or the iPhone quickstart video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuPccQI9oSg) and it’s user’s guide (http://www.vosworx.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/SatSeries.pdf). Please note that InApp payments will be charged to your AppleID account at the confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renews unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscription by going to your account settings on the App Store after purchase. For more information, please visit our Terms of Service at http://www.vosworx.com/terms-of-service-for-app and our Privacy Policy at http://www.vosworx.com/privacy-policy-for-apps. Thanks to everyone who has sent in their questions/requests and keep them coming! -Craig (support@vosworx.com)
iFTx
This app enables seamless communication using FT8 and FT4 digital modes directly from your iOS device. Enjoy portable digital connections, effortless operation with a user-friendly interface, and reliable performance for global contact.
- FT8 and FT4 digital modes
- Portable digital communication
- Global operator connections
- User-friendly interface
- Integrated QSO logging
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Introducing iFTx: The Essential iOS App for FT8 and FT4 Digital Modes! - Seamlessly Engage: iFTx brings FT8 and FT4 digital modes to your iOS device, enabling convenient and portable digital communication. - Anytime, Anywhere: Enjoy the flexibility to connect with operators globally from the comfort of your iOS device. - Effortless Operation: Navigate the user-friendly interface for quick setup and real-time messaging. - Reliable Performance: Experience clear signals and adapt to changing propagation conditions with ease. - Log Your Success: Keep track of your contacts effortlessly with integrated QSO logging.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Satellite Tracker at Free against iFTx's $1.99. Satellite Tracker also leads on update cadence (every 3 months vs every 6 months). iFTx's advantage is rating (4.2 vs 3.4) and in-app purchases (none vs 4). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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
Satellite Tracker is free to download; iFTx costs $1.99 up front. Satellite Tracker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. iFTx asks for nothing beyond the download.
iFTx holds the better App Store score, 4.2 against 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFTx has 70 ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 44% of Satellite Tracker's written reviews are positive against 72% of iFTx's.
Satellite Tracker ships an update every 3 months, iFTx every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 3, 2026 and October 12, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Satellite Tracker | iFTx |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $1.99 |
| Rating | 3.4 (13 ratings) | 4.2 (70 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 44.4% of reviews | 71.8% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 13 | 70 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 6 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 23 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Craig Vosburgh | Christoph Nadig |
Customer experience
Satellite Tracker
iFTx
In-app purchases
Satellite Tracker
- Amateur Satellites Monthly$1.491 Month
- All Satellites Monthly$1.991 Month
- Amateur Satellites Annual$8.991 Year
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- All Satellites Annual$11.991 Year
iFTx
No in-app purchases









