# Aurora Forecast vs Step's Aurora Guide

The clearest difference is ads: Step's Aurora Guide at none against Aurora Forecast's shown. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on chart position (#150 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 18.0). Aurora Forecast's advantage is review sentiment (27% vs 14%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aurora Forecast sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days and Step's Aurora Guide sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Aurora Forecast ships an update every 10 days, Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aurora Forecast | Step's Aurora Guide |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (117 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **117** |
| Positive reviews | **27.3% of reviews** | 14.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#150** |
| Size | 101 MB | 37 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aitor Salvador](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532321513) | [Steps Aurora Guide](https://appshunter.io/developer/1896765831) |

## What reviewers say

### Aurora Forecast

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aurora-forecast-tonight/id1532321511)

This app helps you track Northern Lights conditions for your location, providing alerts and forecasts. It combines space-weather data with local context like cloud cover and daylight to help you decide when to go out and see the aurora.

**Highlights:** Latitude-aware aurora alerts, Live solar wind data, 3-day and 10-day planning tools, Cloud cover and daylight context, Saved locations worldwide, Hunter-focused charts

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

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Traveler Plan | $1.49 | per 7 days |
| Northern Lights Monthly Plan | $4.99 | per month |
| Northern Lights Yearly Plan | $48.99 | per year |
| Aurora Pro Lifetime | $69.99 | one-time |


### Step's Aurora Guide

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/steps-aurora-guide/id1670143757)

**Currently charting:** #150 Top Grossing · Weather, #193 Top Free · Weather (US App Store)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alerts, Forecast & Guide | $4.99 | per 7 days |
| Alerts, Forecast & Guide | $6.99 | per month |
| Alerts, Forecast & Guide | $29.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Aurora Forecast free?

Aurora Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Step's Aurora Guide free?

Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Aurora Forecast or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?

Aurora Forecast shows ads; Step's Aurora Guide does not.

### Which is updated more often, Aurora Forecast or Step's Aurora Guide?

Aurora Forecast ships an update every 10 days, and Step's Aurora Guide every 3 weeks. Most recently, Aurora Forecast was updated on November 7, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on November 3, 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.*