Comparison

Amazing Aurora vs Step's Aurora Guide

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

Head to head
About

Amazing Aurora

This app helps you find the best times and locations to see the aurora borealis. It provides solar wind and sun/moon data, forecasts, and allows users to report sightings. Enhanced features are available with a subscription.

Highlights
  • Solar wind and sun/moon data
  • Aurora borealis forecasts
  • User aurora sighting reports
  • Kp index and Hemispheric Power notifications
  • OVATION forecast
  • Subscription for advanced features
Features
Read full description

The Amazing Aurora app is designed to assist those who want to witness the beauty of the aurora borealis or, the northern lights. The app includes solar wind and sun/moon data to aid in recommending the best times to try seeing the northern lights. Additionally, the app takes the experience one step further and allows users to actively engage in the chase by reporting whether or not they are witnessing aurora activity. Amazing Aurora attempts to take all of the scientific data and put it in a form that is easy to understand and help its users determine when the best time is, within an hour, to try seeing Lady Aurora in all of her beauty! When you download the app, you will get: - Solar wind data for the next hour - Current and next hour Kp - Kp forecast for the next three days - Current solar wind data charts - Current OVATION forecast - Current aurora reports - Notification options for Kp, Hemispheric Power, Favorable Condition, and Summer Silence With a subscription, you will receive the following added features: - 2-hour OVATION forecast (last hour to next hour) - Solar wind data charts for the past three days - Ability to view reports for the past three days - Notification options already included plus the ability to set your minimum Kp and HPI notification values - Get alerted when solar storms are forecast and sub-storms are detected - Get alerts when other users in your area are seeing aurora activity - Set your location to anywhere in the world so you can be alerted of activity or to conceal your actual location Subscriptions are available for 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. You can choose whatever length you want to unlock all of the information Amazing Aurora offers!

About

Step's Aurora Guide

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
Read full description

Created by an aurora photographer, the app is your perfect companion for aurora adventures. Make informed decisions, get timely alerts, and improve your chances of seeing and capturing the northern lights and aurora australis. Discover the features that make this app indispensable: Timely Alerts Don't miss the aurora. Receive notifications about elevated Kp-index levels in the coming days and when your chances of witnessing the aurora within the next hour are becoming high. Get the notice you need to be ready. Real-time Aurora Forecast Witness the aurora probability in real-time with the SWPC Ovation aurora forecast. Instantly see current aurora probabilities, monitor unfolding trends, and pinpoint the anticipated peak times — all tailored for your location. These insights pair perfectly with aurora alerts. Additionally, solar wind parameters offer a deeper understanding of current aurora activity. Precise Decision-making Make informed choices for tonight and beyond. Access hour-by-hour updates on geomagnetic activity, cloud coverage, temperature, and wind forecast. Compare conditions for your current location and up to 5 custom spots. Advanced Planning Stay one step ahead with our 27-day geomagnetic activity forecast. Seamlessly align your photography sessions with the optimal moon phase and ensure darkness prevails in your selected locations. Track the aurora season from the start. Expert Text Guide Receive tailored advice based on aurora and weather forecasts, moon positioning, and your location. Discover whether the aurora will grace the horizon or dance overhead. Optimise your shots with tips on capturing reflections and shooting under moonlight. Benefit from forecast-based recommendations and camera settings guidance. Additional Features and Beyond Experience a range of other useful features, with more updates on the horizon. Global Applicability The app is designed for global use in all regions where auroras can be visible, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Russia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Denmark, and more. Aurora looks the same — the landscape makes the difference. Subscription Options The app is available with a weekly, monthly, or yearly auto-renewable subscription, each with a 3-day free trial and full access to all app features, including High Kp-index and Aurora alerts. Download the app and start your 3-day free trial today. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Amazing Aurora4 screens
Step's Aurora Guide4 screens

Verdict

The call

Amazing Aurora and Step's Aurora Guide both sit at 4.4 stars, but that hides the real split: 50% of Amazing Aurora's written reviews are positive against 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's. Amazing Aurora also leads on device support (3 vs 1) and iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Step's Aurora Guide's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On price, rating, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Amazing Aurora sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month and Step's Aurora Guide sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Step's Aurora Guide holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 25 and 107 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 50% of Amazing Aurora's written reviews are positive against 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Amazing Aurora ships an update every 2 months, Step's Aurora Guide fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Amazing Aurora versus Step's Aurora Guide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAmazing AuroraStep's Aurora Guide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.4 (25 ratings)4.6 (107 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better14.3% of reviews
Number of ratings25107 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#109 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 — better16.0
Further details — not scored
Size61 MB31 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSharp Rock Ventures LLCSteps Aurora Guide

Customer experience

Amazing Aurora

All ratings25 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral12.0%
Negative8.0%
Written reviews12 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral16.7%
Negative33.3%

Step's Aurora Guide

All ratings107 ratings
Positive89.7%
Neutral3.7%
Negative6.5%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Amazing Aurora

Subscriptions3
  • 1-Month Subscription$2.991 Month
  • 6-Month Subscription$9.996 Months
  • 1-Year Subscription$14.991 Year
2 purchases

Step's Aurora Guide

Subscriptions2
  • All Forecasts & Guide3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • All Forecasts & Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Amazing Aurora free?
Amazing Aurora 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.
Which has better reviews, Amazing Aurora or Step's Aurora Guide?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Amazing Aurora averages 4.4 out of 5 from 25 ratings, while Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 from 107 ratings.
Do Amazing Aurora or Step's Aurora Guide have ads?
Amazing Aurora shows ads; Step's Aurora Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, Amazing Aurora or Step's Aurora Guide?
Amazing Aurora ships an update every 2 months, and Step's Aurora Guide fortnightly. Most recently, Amazing Aurora was updated on September 13, 2026 and Step's Aurora Guide on September 15, 2026.

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