Light Pollution Map vs SafeWatch Choice
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Light Pollution Map
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.
- 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
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The map displays VIIRS/World Atlas/Clouds/Aurora/IAU observatories and the user SQM measurements. The primary use is to show VIIRS/DMSP data in a friendly manner, but over time it also included some other interesting overlays that concern light pollution like SQM/SQC, World Atlas 2015 zenith brightness, clouds, aurora and IAU observatories. If you have a permanent SQM reader installed you can add it to the map by sending me an e-mail. Please send comments and requests for new features via email (look under help) Functionalities: - VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas 2015, Cloud coverage and Aurora forecast layers - VIIRS and Sky Brightness layers can be displayed in color blind friendly colors - Road & Satellite base maps - Cloud animation for the last 12 hours - Get detail radiance and SQM values from layers at a click. For Sky brightness/World Atlas 2015, you also get Bortle class estimation. - SQM, SQM-L, SQC, SQM-LE, SQM readings submitted by users - International dark sky parks overlay - Submit your own SQM (L) readings - Observatories layer - Save your favorite locations - Distance measurement tool with azimuth angle report - All-sky view of light pollution with real horizon - Offline mode (Sky brightness map and a base map are saved to your device, so it will be displayed when you are offline)
SafeWatch Choice
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The SafeWatch Choice app gives you access to your GPS Tracker on the go. You can view and track your GPS device's location, event reports, breadcrumb trail, geofence/perimeter, set PUSH/email alerts and more.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SafeWatch Choice at Free against Light Pollution Map's $4.99. Light Pollution Map's advantage is update cadence (every 3 months vs every 38 months) and chart position (#38 vs unranked). On in-app purchases and iOS requirement 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
SafeWatch Choice is free to download; Light Pollution Map costs $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Light Pollution Map ships an update every 3 months, SafeWatch Choice every 38 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Light Pollution Map | SafeWatch Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $4.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.1 (47 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 57.1% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 47 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months — better | Every 38 months |
| Ads | No | — |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #38 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | — |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 16.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 20 MB | 161 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jurij Stare | SafeWatch Solutions, LLC |
In-app purchases
Light Pollution Map
No in-app purchases
SafeWatch Choice
No in-app purchases
