# Light Pollution Map vs MagVar

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MagVar at 100% against Light Pollution Map's 57%. MagVar also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.1) and price ($0.99 vs $4.99). Light Pollution Map's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 23 months) and ratings volume (46 vs 1). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and chart position there is nothing between them.

Light Pollution Map costs $4.99 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 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Light Pollution Map has 46 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 57% of Light Pollution Map's written reviews are positive against 100% of MagVar's.

Light Pollution Map ships an update every 3 months, MagVar every 23 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 19, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Light Pollution Map | MagVar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | **$0.99** |
| Rating | [4.1 (46 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-pollution-map/id1530464858/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/magvar/id1670958717/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **46** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 23 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | **#104** | #163 |
| Size | 20 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 17.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Jurij Stare](https://appshunter.io/developer/1530464860) | [Robert Walker](https://appshunter.io/developer/299475042) |

## What reviewers say

### Light Pollution Map

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/light-pollution-map/id1530464858)

**Currently charting:** #104 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

Visualize sky brightness data, including VIIRS and SQM measurements, to understand light pollution levels. Explore various overlays like cloud coverage, aurora forecasts, and observatory locations. Offers offline access to essential maps.

**Highlights:** VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas, Cloud, Aurora layers, Color blind friendly color options, Cloud animation, SQM/SQC readings submission, International dark sky parks overlay, Offline mode

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### MagVar

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

**Currently charting:** #163 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 Light Pollution Map free?

Light Pollution Map costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is MagVar free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Light Pollution Map or MagVar?

MagVar is rated higher. Light Pollution Map averages 4.1 out of 5 from 46 ratings, while MagVar averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Light Pollution Map or MagVar have ads?

Neither Light Pollution Map nor MagVar shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Light Pollution Map or MagVar?

Light Pollution Map ships an update every 3 months, and MagVar every 23 months. Most recently, Light Pollution Map was updated on September 23, 2026 and MagVar on September 19, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Light Pollution Map or MagVar?

Light Pollution Map currently peaks at #104 in the App Store charts, and MagVar at #163. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*