# Celestial Navigation vs MagVar

The clearest difference is rating: MagVar at 5.0 against Celestial Navigation's 4.2. MagVar also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 77%) and chart position (#129 vs unranked). Celestial Navigation's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (15 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Celestial Navigation costs $1.99 and MagVar $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

MagVar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Celestial Navigation has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Celestial Navigation's written reviews are positive against 100% of MagVar's.

Celestial Navigation ships an update every 5 days, MagVar every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Celestial Navigation | MagVar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $1.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.2 (15 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestial-navigation/id1458513224/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magvar/id1670958717/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **15** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 77.3% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 5 days** | Every 23 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#129** |
| Size | 51 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **11.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dr. Harald Merkel](https://appshunter.io/developer/404381431) | [Robert Walker](https://appshunter.io/developer/299475042) |

## What reviewers say

### Celestial Navigation

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/celestial-navigation/id1458513224)

This application assists with celestial navigation by performing sextant sight reduction calculations. It displays intermediate numbers for verification and can draw lines of position on a map. Features include a perpetual nautical almanac and a star finder to identify celestial bodies.

**Highlights:** Sextant sight reduction calculations, Perpetual nautical almanac, Line of position calculation and plotting, Star Finder for celestial identification, Save and manage sextant readings, Display intermediate calculation numbers

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### MagVar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magvar/id1670958717)

**Currently charting:** #129 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

This navigation tool calculates magnetic variation, the difference between true and magnetic north, essential for plotting courses on maps. It's designed for pilots, sailors, cartographers, and anyone using maps and a compass.

**Highlights:** Magnetic variation calculation, True vs. magnetic north difference, Map overlay display, Accurate for 2025-2029, Declination and inclination calculation

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Celestial Navigation free?

Celestial Navigation costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MagVar free?

MagVar costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Celestial Navigation or MagVar?

MagVar is rated higher. Celestial Navigation averages 4.2 out of 5 from 15 ratings, while MagVar averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Celestial Navigation or MagVar have ads?

Neither Celestial Navigation nor MagVar shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Celestial Navigation or MagVar?

Celestial Navigation ships an update every 5 days, and MagVar every 23 months. Most recently, Celestial Navigation was updated on September 24, 2026 and MagVar on September 19, 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.*