# Lightning Tracker vs LightningMaps

The clearest difference is rating: LightningMaps at 5.0 against Lightning Tracker's 4.3. LightningMaps also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). Lightning Tracker's advantage is ratings volume (574 vs 1) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 8 months). On price and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lightning Tracker sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. LightningMaps asks for nothing beyond the download.

LightningMaps holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightning Tracker has 574 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Lightning Tracker ships an update every 4 months, LightningMaps every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lightning Tracker | LightningMaps |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (574 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-tracker/id1473753714/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightningmaps/id6463732506/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **574** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 74.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 8 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 127 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.4 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Elecont LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/401533969) | [Andrii Rudenko](https://appshunter.io/developer/1701313432) |

## What reviewers say

### Lightning Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-tracker/id1473753714)

Visualize real-time lightning strikes across North and South America on a dynamic map. Receive predictive alerts for strike patterns and intensity, with estimated arrival times for your location. Monitor current and historical lightning activity to stay informed and protected.

**Highlights:** Live lightning map, Real-time strike visualization, Predictive lightning alerts, Estimated time of arrival (ETA) for strikes, Monitor saved locations, 6-hour strike history

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Remove Ads & Limits | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate and real-time lightning tracking
- 👍 Helpful for safety and planning outdoor activities
- 💡 Useful for weather monitoring and storm tracking
- ⭐ Excellent app overall

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional bugs and glitches
- 🔋 High battery consumption
- 📢 Intrusive ads in free version
- 🚫 Lack of important features like distance, alerts, and history

**Reported bugs**

- App not detecting lightning strikes even when visible
- Frequent crashes and freezes
- Issues with app updates and functionality changes

**Requested features**

- Add distance/radius information for lightning strikes
- Implement push notifications/alerts for lightning within a certain radius
- Provide historical data and the ability to view past lightning activity
- Improve overall app stability and performance


### LightningMaps

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightningmaps/id6463732506)

Pinpoint the exact location and distance of real-life lightning strikes using your phone's sensors. Simply tap when you see a flash and again when you hear thunder to instantly reveal the strike's coordinates. It's like having a personal lightning detector in your pocket.

**Highlights:** Pinpoint lightning strike locations, Measure distance to strikes, Intuitive tap-based interface, Real-time tracking, Safety guidelines included

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lightning Tracker free?

Lightning Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is LightningMaps free?

LightningMaps is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Lightning Tracker or LightningMaps?

LightningMaps is rated higher. Lightning Tracker averages 4.3 out of 5 from 574 ratings, while LightningMaps averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Lightning Tracker or LightningMaps have ads?

Lightning Tracker shows ads; LightningMaps does not.

### Which is updated more often, Lightning Tracker or LightningMaps?

Lightning Tracker ships an update every 4 months, and LightningMaps every 8 months. Most recently, Lightning Tracker was updated on October 12, 2026 and LightningMaps on October 8, 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.*