Comparison

The Sky Pro by Redshift vs The Sky by Redshift

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

Head to head
About

The Sky Pro by Redshift

Explore the cosmos with a comprehensive planetarium and knowledge base. Discover celestial objects, track their movements, and plan your observations. Features include augmented reality, 3D models, and educational content.

Highlights
  • Award-winning planetarium with 100,000+ stars
  • Accurate simulation of celestial phenomena
  • Real-time satellite tracking
  • Augmented reality sky view
  • 3D models of celestial objects
  • Telescope control (with subscription)
Features
Read full description

The Sky Pro by Redshift is your tool and your knowledge base when it comes to cosmic objects. Planets and moons, asteroids and comets, stars and deep-sky objects - explore the night sky and enjoy astronomy with The Sky Pro. Discover fascinating celestial objects and learn more about them. See what is happening in the sky tonight or travel through time to observe the objects on their orbits and to see how the constellations in the sky change. Features: • Award-winning planetarium with over 100,000 stars, 10,000 spectacular deep-sky objects and thousands of other celestial objects • Explore the night sky with unique brilliance and precision • Determine rising and setting times and plan your observations • Travel through time • Accurate simulation of planetary orbits, solar and lunar eclipses, conjunctions and many other celestial phenomena • Real-time tracking of satellites and space missions • Free update service to get the latest orbital data for satellites, comets and asteroids • Augmented reality to merge the sky in Redshift and the surrounding environment • Fascinating 3D models of the planets, moons, asteroids and many deep-sky objects • Land on the planets and moons to observe the sky from there • Breathtaking space flights to planets, moons and stars as well as distant galaxies and colorful nebulae • Comprehensive scientific data on celestial objects and their position, transit and visibility • Wide range of functions, yet easy to use • Numerous sky view settings, including a "Night View" option • "Today's Night Sky" and "My Favorites" show you what's going on in the sky tonight • Calendar for planning observation of solar and lunar eclipses • 25 interesting and educational chapters of "Discover Astronomy" • Share your most spectacular Redshift experiences via iMessage • Apple Watch connectivity helps you observe the sky Would you like to use this app as a professional tool for controlling your telescope? Extend the app with the professional subscription The Sky Ultimate and get one of the most powerful planetariums in the world. Configure your own sky views, find your perfect observation targets among millions of celestial objects, control your telescope, make fascinating journeys into space and experience the heavenly bodies up close. Features of The Sky Ultimate: • Your daily assistant for successful sky observation • Huge database with more than 2,500,000 stars and 70,000 deep-sky objects • Online access to more than one billion stars from the USNO-B1.0 and GAIA DR3 catalogues • Powerful sky calendar and precise location and visibility data for all objects • Telescope control for Meade or Celestron telescopes (except Celestron NexStar Evolution series) • Notifications so you never miss a celestial event • Ability to save an unlimited number of sky views with the option to send them to friends or reopen them in Redshift • Professional solar eclipse map showing the exact path of the Moon's shadow across the Earth's surface • Simulation of brightness variations of new stars and supernovae • Database of stars with exoplanets • Calculation of the trajectories of asteroids and comets with the unique numerical integration • Ability to select the exact landing site on a planet or moon • Tracking of the exact trajectory of satellites above the Earth ***** Questions or suggestions for improvements: Mail to support@redshiftsky.com We are looking forward to your feedback! For more information on news and updates: redshiftsky.com www.redshiftsky.com/en/terms-of-use/ *****

About

The Sky by Redshift

This app is a powerful yet easy-to-use planetarium that acts as your daily astronomy companion. Simply point your device at the sky to identify planets, stars, and constellations, and explore celestial objects with detailed views and informative explanations.

Highlights
  • Identify stars, planets, and constellations
  • Track celestial object paths
  • Simulate astronomical events
  • Explore deep-space objects
  • Learn about astronomical phenomena
  • Eclipse timetable and simulation
Features
Read full description

Developed in collaboration with THAMES & KOSMOS: The Sky – Astronomy, a powerful and easy-to-use planetarium – your daily companion for observing the sky! Which star is this? Where do I find Mars? Is it the ISS up there? Hold your smartphone or tablet up to the sky and see which planets, stars, or constellations are above you. Where is Jupiter and how can I find my zodiac in the sky? The Sky shows you the position of celestial objects in the sky with just a few taps. Get close-up views not only of near-Earth planets and moons, but also experience deep-space objects in stunning detail. What do the Saturnian moons look like? The Sky takes you on a breath-taking journey into the infinite realms of outer space. Fly to planets, stars, and other celestial bodies and let the app tell you about our Universe. What is a solar eclipse and what does an opposition of Mars mean? The Sky answers your questions with stunning animations and insightful explanations. Thus, even beginners will be able to understand the mechanics and to visually imagine the most important celestial events. No matter if you are a beginner or amateur astronomer, child or adult - with the intuitive app The Sky, everyone will immediately understand the sky - without much prior knowledge and long training. Shine with your knowledge of the sky, around the campfire or on night walks: with The Sky, astronomy will always be a pleasure! Discover the joy of watching the skies and the age-old fascination with space that has inspired mankind for millennia – and become part of the worldwide Redshift community. The app contains more than 9,000 stars, 88 constellations, hundreds of moons, asteroids and comets, as well as 200 spectacular deep-sky objects - all with accurate position calculation and motion tracking in real time. At a glance: • Recognize the stars and constellations of the night sky • Identify planets, moons, comets, and satellites and track their paths • Take breath-taking flights through space to distant stars and colorful nebulae • See what’s going on in the sky tonight with a direct simulation of the events • Learn to understand astronomical phenomena and events New in version 2.0: • Eclipse Timetable • Orbits of celestial objects • Expanded database with 6500 cities worldwide, including 2500 cities in the United States Were you able to witness the total solar eclipse in North America on April 8, 2024? This app contains everything you need know about this magical event: • Detailed description of the path of the eclipse in Mexico, the USA and Canada • Information on how to safely observe a solar eclipse • Eclipse timetable with the exact times for your location or best viewing position • Direct simulation of the eclipse in exciting animations • Sky map with the planets and stars that could be seen during the totality phase • Illustrated explanations of how a solar eclipse occurs • Everything about solar eclipses: Explanations and facts, illustrated with pictures and videos • Location selection via map, location search or GPS or selection of the "best position" for observation Your thirst for knowledge is not yet satisfied? With the premium subscription, you can activate many additional spaceflights and orbits as well as additional knowledge sections of "Discover astronomy". Here you can find more spectacular images and videos of the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024. There is also an eclipse calendar with all solar and lunar eclipses between 1900 and 2100 and a guided tour of the U.S. MARS 2020 mission. This tour includes images and animations of the landing on Mars, as well as of the environment at the landing site of the Mars rover Perseverance. ***** Questions or suggestions for improvements: Mail to support@redshiftsky.com We are looking forward to your feedback! For more information on news and updates: redshiftsky.com www.redshiftsky.com/terms-of-use-the-sky/ *****

Screenshots

The Sky Pro by Redshift4 screens
The Sky by Redshift4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: The Sky by Redshift at Free against The Sky Pro by Redshift's $6.99. On rating, review sentiment, ratings volume and update cadence 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

The Sky by Redshift is free to download; The Sky Pro by Redshift costs $6.99 up front. The Sky Pro by Redshift sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and The Sky by Redshift sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for The Sky Pro by Redshift against 4.7 for The Sky by Redshift. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 337 and 817 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 64% and 65% positive.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 29, 2026.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
The Sky Pro by Redshift versus The Sky by Redshift: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThe Sky Pro by RedshiftThe Sky by Redshift
Price$6.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (337 ratings) — better4.7 (817 ratings)
Positive reviews64.3% of reviews65.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings337817 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.6
Further details — not scored
Size1.1 GB472 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperUnited Soft Media Verlag GmbHUnited Soft Media Verlag GmbH

Customer experience

The Sky Pro by Redshift

All ratings337 ratings
Positive96.1%
Neutral1.5%
Negative2.4%
Written reviews56 reviews
Positive64.3%
Neutral7.1%
Negative28.6%

The Sky by Redshift

All ratings816 ratings
Positive94.5%
Neutral2.8%
Negative2.7%
Written reviews40 reviews
Positive65.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative25.0%

User reviews

The Sky Pro by Redshift

From 337 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ✨ Nice fresh look
  • 👍 User-friendly interface
  • 🚀 Fast and responsive
  • 🔭 Detailed astronomical data
  • 🌌 Immersive 3D flights

Room to improve

  • 💸 Expensive subscription model
  • 💰 Double charging for purchases
  • 🤔 Vague upgrade details
  • 📉 Old version removed
  • 😕 Limited free trial

The Sky by Redshift

From 817 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Expertly done
  • 👍 Works well
  • 👍 Beautiful and accurate
  • 👍 Fun to use

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Too many ads
  • 🔍 Intrusive advertising
  • 🔍 Information banner not useful

Bugs and requests

The Sky Pro by Redshift

Reported bugs

31 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • App crashes on iPad
  • Compass calibration issues (20° off)
  • Settings reset to default sporadically
  • Ultimate trial expired before fix
Show 26 more
  • No reply from developer
  • Ultimate trial cannot be used again
  • Ultimate trial didn't add features
  • Ultimate version not unlocking
  • App frozen on launch screen
  • Login issues
  • Information inaccurate (sun rise, moon phase)
  • Follow sky error message
  • App not working
  • Cannot see anything on display
  • Sky scan not possible
  • Time option limited to 1600 AD
  • Telescope control lost on reinstallation
  • Extended time frames lost on reinstallation
  • App not opening
  • Himmelscan not correct
  • App not activating after review
  • Constellation lines delay
  • Comet Atlas C/2019 Y4 not appearing
  • Famous comets only in subscription
  • Does not retain preference settings
  • Crashes when search icon is hit
  • Spacecraft section disappeared
  • Conjunction and meteor shower info missing
  • Rocket button placement issue
  • App freezes on launch screen with spinning loader

Requested features

19 requests
  • More details on Ultimate upgrade
  • Ability to fly to other galaxies
  • More distant stars accessible
  • Add JWST
  • More range to view universe
Show 14 more
  • Rotate universe from greater distance
  • Add nearby galaxies (LMC, SMC, Andromeda)
  • Always show constellation images
  • Add conjunction and meteor shower info
  • More flexible subscription options
  • Show planets visible and when, moon rise/set, best deep sky objects in 'Today's Sky'
  • Add more satellites
  • Add Telrad view finder
  • More observable comets
  • Add spacecraft section
  • More detailed information on celestial objects
  • Add Jupiter, Uranus, Neptune rings
  • Add constellations outside Milky Way
  • Update cosmological data

The Sky by Redshift

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Unauthorized access to private systems

Requested features

3 requests
  • Red light option to preserve night vision
  • Smaller, less obtrusive pointer
  • More features and accurate information

In-app purchases

3 purchases

The Sky Pro by Redshift

Subscriptions2
  • The Sky Ultimate 1 Month$1.991 Month
  • The Sky Ultimate 1 Year$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • The Sky Ultimate$22.99
2 purchases

The Sky by Redshift

Subscriptions2
  • The Sky Premium 1 Month$0.991 Month
  • The Sky Premium 1 Year$3.991 Year

Questions

Is The Sky Pro by Redshift free?
The Sky Pro by Redshift costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is The Sky by Redshift free?
The Sky by Redshift is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, The Sky Pro by Redshift or The Sky by Redshift?
The Sky Pro by Redshift is rated higher. The Sky Pro by Redshift averages 4.8 out of 5 from 337 ratings, while The Sky by Redshift averages 4.7 from 817 ratings.
Do The Sky Pro by Redshift or The Sky by Redshift have ads?
Neither The Sky Pro by Redshift nor The Sky by Redshift shows ads.
Which is updated more often, The Sky Pro by Redshift or The Sky by Redshift?
The Sky Pro by Redshift ships an update every 2 months, and The Sky by Redshift every 2 months. Most recently, The Sky Pro by Redshift was updated on October 29, 2026 and The Sky by Redshift on October 29, 2026.

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