Comparison

Aurora Forecast vs Aurora Compass

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

Head to head
About

Aurora Forecast

This app provides real-time aurora forecasting with detailed solar-wind data, magnetic conditions, and cloud cover. It offers location-based visibility predictions and long-term forecasts to help users decide the best times to view the Northern Lights.

Highlights
  • Live minute-by-minute visibility forecast
  • DSCOVR Earth-Arrival solar-wind data
  • Smart likelihood by latitude
  • 3-Day & 10-Day geomagnetic forecasts
  • Cloud cover context
  • Location-based visibility
Features
Read full description

Know whether tonight is worth going outside. Auroras Forecast & Alerts helps you track Northern Lights conditions for your location, compare viewing windows, and get ready before the sky turns active. Built for aurora watchers, travelers, photographers, and serious chasers, the app combines live space-weather signals with practical location context so you can make faster field decisions. WHY USE AURORAS FORECAST & ALERTS - Latitude-aware aurora alerts: Get notified when conditions look promising for your latitude band, not just when a generic global index rises. - Live solar wind context: Follow Bz, solar wind speed, Bt, and density with DSCOVR data shifted toward Earth-arrival timing, so you can focus on what matters now. - 3-day and 10-day planning tools: Check upcoming geomagnetic activity, compare likely viewing windows, and plan your next Northern Lights chase with more confidence. - Cloud and location context: Combine aurora probability with cloud cover, daylight, saved places, and local viewing details before you head out. - Saved places worldwide: Monitor favorite locations, compare conditions, and keep your best aurora spots close at hand. - Hunter-focused charts: Read clear thresholds, practical likelihood states, and fast-updating data built for real decisions in the field. Whether you are hoping to see the Northern Lights for the first time or planning around every stronger storm, Auroras Forecast & Alerts helps you decide when to step outside and look up. Privacy Policy: https://aurorasforecast.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/privacy_policy.htm Terms of use: https://aurorasforecast.s3.eu-west-3.amazonaws.com/terms_of_use.htm

About

Aurora Compass

This app provides aurora forecasts and alerts, helping users find the best conditions to see the northern or southern lights. It offers detailed space weather data, real-time geomagnetic activity, and a cloudiness filter for accurate predictions.

Highlights
  • Aurora alert notifications
  • Geomagnetic activity tracking
  • Aurora forecast map
  • Real-time aurora probability
  • Solar image animation
  • Cloudiness forecast
  • Darkness tool
Features
Read full description

Aurora Compass is a free aurora and space weather forecast app with no ads or paywalls. With it, you'll get all the data you need to catch the northern or southern lights in a layout that’s simple for beginners, yet detailed for experienced aurora chasers. The main features include: • Aurora alert notifications with cloudiness filter • Near real-time geomagnetic activity from over 110 magnetometers • Aurora forecast map with observation sharing tool • Current and forecasted aurora probability in your location • Solar image animation with x-ray chart and solar regions • WSA-Enlil solar wind forecast animation • Darkness tool to see when it'll be dark • Moon rise, set and phase information • Cloudiness forecast • Solar wind charts • Kp forecasts • Color theme for people with red-green colorblindness

Screenshots

Aurora Forecast4 screens
Aurora Compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aurora Compass at 86% against Aurora Forecast's 27%. Aurora Compass also leads on ads (none vs shown) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). Aurora Forecast's advantage is update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases and device support 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

Both are free to download. Aurora Forecast sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per 7 days and Aurora Compass sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aurora Forecast ships an update every 10 days, Aurora Compass every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 7, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Aurora Forecast versus Aurora Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAurora ForecastAurora Compass
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews27.3% of reviews85.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings—9 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 5 weeks
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.016.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size101 MB67 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAitor SalvadorOtto Ranta-Ojala

Customer experience

Aurora Forecast

Written reviews11 reviews
Positive27.3%
Neutral9.1%
Negative63.6%

Aurora Compass

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive85.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative14.3%

In-app purchases

4 purchases

Aurora Forecast

Subscriptions3
  • Traveler Plan$1.497 Days
  • Northern Lights Monthly Plan$4.991 Month
  • Northern Lights Yearly Plan$48.991 Year
One-time1
  • Aurora Pro Lifetime$69.99
8 purchases

Aurora Compass

One-time8
  • Pastel Color Palette$1.99
  • Black and White Palette$1.99
  • Pink Color Palette$1.99
Show 5 more
  • Purple Color Palette$1.99
  • IBM Color Palette$1.99
  • Mint Color Palette$4.99
  • Gold Color Palette$9.99
  • Diamond Color Palette$29.99

Questions

Is Aurora Forecast free?
Aurora Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aurora Compass free?
Aurora Compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Aurora Forecast or Aurora Compass have ads?
Aurora Forecast shows ads; Aurora Compass does not.
Which is updated more often, Aurora Forecast or Aurora Compass?
Aurora Forecast ships an update every 10 days, and Aurora Compass every 5 weeks. Most recently, Aurora Forecast was updated on November 7, 2026 and Aurora Compass on November 3, 2026.

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