# Aurora Forecast vs Aurora Compass

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.

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aurora Forecast | Aurora Compass |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.8 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aurora-compass/id6446504259/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **9** |
| Positive reviews | 27.3% of reviews | **85.7% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 10 days** | Every 5 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 101 MB | 67 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Aitor Salvador](https://appshunter.io/developer/1532321513) | [Otto Ranta-Ojala](https://appshunter.io/developer/1678149884) |

## What reviewers say

### Aurora Forecast

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

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:** 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 |


### Aurora Compass

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aurora-compass/id6446504259)

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:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (8)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pastel Color Palette | $1.99 | one-time |
| Black and White Palette | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pink Color Palette | $1.99 | one-time |
| Purple Color Palette | $1.99 | one-time |
| IBM Color Palette | $1.99 | one-time |
| Mint Color Palette | $4.99 | one-time |
| Gold Color Palette | $9.99 | one-time |
| Diamond Color Palette | $29.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked 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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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*