Comparison

Northern Lights Forecast vs Step's Aurora Guide

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

Head to head
About

Northern Lights Forecast

This app provides real-time alerts and forecasts for the Northern Lights. It uses your location to notify you when the aurora is visible and offers live webcam feeds and a detailed aurora map for optimal viewing. Plan your aurora trips with multi-day forecasts.

Highlights
  • Real-time aurora alerts
  • Customizable notification settings
  • Live Northern Lights webcams
  • Aurora map with viewing locations
  • KP index forecast (3-day and 27-day)
  • Sort webcams by distance and aurora pixels
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Northern Lights Forecast - a powerful app for catching Aurora! It will determine your location and, based on magnetic latitude, set the necessary notification settings. And as a result, in an efficient way, you will get alerts exactly at the right moment, when northern lights filled the sky! Alerts and Push Notifications: Receive real-time alerts when the aurora is visible at your location or Kp index reaches chosen value. You can customize alert level. Live Northern Lights Webcams: Watch live Aurora webcams from around the world. This is a great tool to see if the northern lights are visible near you. In the app, you can sort these webcams by distance from you or "aurora pixels", this is unique feature that detects the northern lights on webcams! Live Aurora Map: See where the best viewing of the northern lights now on the live aurora map. KP Index Forecast: Forecasts for next 3 days and next 27 days helps you to plan your aurora trip. Good luck in hunting Northern Lights and never miss it again!

About

Step's Aurora Guide

This app provides aurora forecasts, alerts, and expert photography advice. It helps users plan and capture stunning aurora images with real-time data, geomagnetic forecasts, and personalized guidance.

Highlights
  • 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast
  • Moon phase and darkness alignment
  • Real-time aurora probability
  • Hour-by-hour weather updates
  • Expert photography advice
  • Custom location comparison
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

Created by an aurora photographer, the app is your perfect companion for aurora adventures. Make informed decisions, get timely alerts, and improve your chances of seeing and capturing the northern lights and aurora australis. Discover the features that make this app indispensable: Timely Alerts Don't miss the aurora. Receive notifications about elevated Kp-index levels in the coming days and when your chances of witnessing the aurora within the next hour are becoming high. Get the notice you need to be ready. Real-time Aurora Forecast Witness the aurora probability in real-time with the SWPC Ovation aurora forecast. Instantly see current aurora probabilities, monitor unfolding trends, and pinpoint the anticipated peak times — all tailored for your location. These insights pair perfectly with aurora alerts. Additionally, solar wind parameters offer a deeper understanding of current aurora activity. Precise Decision-making Make informed choices for tonight and beyond. Access hour-by-hour updates on geomagnetic activity, cloud coverage, temperature, and wind forecast. Compare conditions for your current location and up to 5 custom spots. Advanced Planning Stay one step ahead with our 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast. Seamlessly align your photography sessions with the optimal moon phase and ensure darkness prevails in your selected locations. Track the aurora season from the start. Expert Text Guide Receive tailored advice based on aurora and weather forecasts, moon positioning, and your location. Discover whether the aurora will grace the horizon or dance overhead. Optimise your shots with tips on capturing reflections and shooting under moonlight. Benefit from forecast-based recommendations and camera settings guidance. Additional Features and Beyond Experience a range of other useful features, with more updates on the horizon. Global Applicability The app is designed for global use in all regions where auroras can be visible, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and more. Aurora looks the same — the landscape makes the difference. Subscription Options The app is available with a weekly, monthly, or yearly auto-renewable subscription, each with a 3-day free trial and full access to all app features, including High Kp-index and Aurora alerts. Download the app and start your 3-day free trial today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Northern Lights Forecast4 screens
Step's Aurora Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Step's Aurora Guide at Free against Northern Lights Forecast's $4.99. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on rating (4.6 vs 2.5) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). Northern Lights Forecast's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and device support (3 vs 1). On review sentiment, ads and chart position 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

Step's Aurora Guide is free to download; Northern Lights Forecast costs $4.99 up front. Step's Aurora Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Northern Lights Forecast asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Step's Aurora Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Step's Aurora Guide has 116 ratings behind it against 14, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 16% of Northern Lights Forecast's written reviews are positive against 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Northern Lights Forecast ships an update every 2 months, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 27, 2026.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
Northern Lights Forecast versus Step's Aurora Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNorthern Lights ForecastStep's Aurora Guide
Price$4.99Free — better
Rating2.5 (14 ratings)4.6 (116 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.0% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings14116 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank#118 — better#161
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS11.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size33 MB37 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLetovaltsev MaximSteps Aurora Guide

Customer experience

Northern Lights Forecast

All ratings14 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral7.1%
Negative64.3%
Written reviews25 reviews
Positive16.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative72.0%

Step's Aurora Guide

All ratings113 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

In-app purchases

None

Northern Lights Forecast

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Step's Aurora Guide

Subscriptions3
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Northern Lights Forecast free?
Northern Lights Forecast costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Northern Lights Forecast or Step's Aurora Guide?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Northern Lights Forecast averages 2.5 out of 5 from 14 ratings, while Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 from 116 ratings.
Do Northern Lights Forecast or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?
Neither Northern Lights Forecast nor Step's Aurora Guide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Northern Lights Forecast or Step's Aurora Guide?
Northern Lights Forecast ships an update every 2 months, and Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Most recently, Northern Lights Forecast was updated on October 27, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on October 27, 2026.
Which is more popular, Northern Lights Forecast or Step's Aurora Guide?
Northern Lights Forecast currently peaks at #118 in the App Store charts, and Step's Aurora Guide at #161. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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