SkyORB ∞ Astronomy vs Deep Sky Scanner
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SkyORB ∞ Astronomy
Explore the universe with an interactive 3D star map, real-time celestial positions, and a 14-day schedule of astronomical events. Identify stars and planets using augmented reality and access detailed information about celestial bodies.
- Interactive 3D star map
- Real-time celestial positions
- Augmented Reality (AR) identification
- 14-day astronomical event schedule
- Detailed planet and celestial body information
- Time shift feature for celestial events
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SkyORB ∞ — The Premium Version of SkyORB Classic SkyORB ∞ is the premium edition of SkyORB Classic, created for users who want the most complete and refined SkyORB experience. It features better sky maps, more advanced 2D and 3D charts, richer astronomy information, improved navigation, and a modern interface for exploring the night sky. Built on more than 20 years of astronomy app development, SkyORB ∞ brings together interactive 2D and 3D sky maps, real-time planet and star positions, Augmented Reality sky identification, detailed Moon and Sun information, astronomy events, Apple Watch support, and a refined interface optimized for the latest Apple devices. SkyORB ∞ is a one-time purchase with no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases. Every feature is included. ### Why choose SkyORB ∞? SkyORB Classic makes astronomy accessible to everyone. SkyORB ∞ goes further with clearer and more detailed sky maps, improved stereographic and orbit charts, a cleaner interface, deeper sky information, and premium features designed for iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. ### Main Features Explore an interactive 3D sky map with stars, planets, constellations, comets, satellites, and deep-sky objects. Navigate redesigned 2D sky and orbit charts with curved labels, clearer constellation names, smart overlap reduction, panning, automatic framing, and detailed satellite and comet trails. Use Augmented Reality to identify stars, planets, and constellations by pointing your device at the sky. Follow the Sun and Moon with rise and set times, moon phases, and daily sky information for your location. Travel through time to see the sky in the past or future and prepare for upcoming celestial events. Check a 14-day astronomy calendar with Moon phases, planetary events, meteor showers, and other sky highlights. Discover detailed information about planets, the Moon, Messier objects, and famous astronomers. Stay connected with Apple Watch support, including quick access to useful astronomy information from your wrist. Enjoy a modern, refined interface designed for recent iPhone and iPad models. ### Premium, Simple, Yours SkyORB ∞ is made for users who want the best version of SkyORB: more complete, more precise, more comfortable to use, and entirely free from ads, subscriptions, and in-app purchases. Whether you are a casual stargazer, an astronomy enthusiast, or a long-time SkyORB user, SkyORB ∞ gives you a powerful and beautiful way to explore the universe. Upgrade from SkyORB Classic to SkyORB ∞ and enjoy the premium way to discover the night sky.
Deep Sky Scanner
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Point your phone at the sky and know instantly what’s worth imaging. Deep Sky Scanner turns your device into an aiming tool for the Seestar S50, scanning your field of view and ranking every galaxy, cluster, and nebula by altitude, brightness, and how well it’ll actually fit your frame. No more guessing what’s up, no star-hopping, no wasted setup time on a target that’s too big or too faint for tonight’s sky. FEATURES • Live sky scan — see every object in view as you move your phone, tracked with full 3D orientation for steady accuracy even near the zenith • Ranked target lists — sorted by altitude trajectory, brightness, or best overall fit for your Seestar S50 • Frame-fit scoring — know before you start whether an object will actually fit the frame, not spill past the edges • Ascending/descending badges — see whether a target is climbing toward better altitude or already past its peak • Planning mode — drag the time slider to preview the sky at any hour and plan your session in advance • Per-object imaging notes — integration-time guidance by magnitude, edge-on galaxy detection, and nearby-companion flags • Full OpenNGC catalog with offline fallback — works even without a signal • Additional catalogs are available and can be optionally selected on the settings page • Supports the Seestar family of telescopes Built by a Seestar owner, for Seestar owners.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Deep Sky Scanner at Free against SkyORB ∞ Astronomy's $2.99. Deep Sky Scanner also leads on update cadence (every 3 days vs every 2 months). SkyORB ∞ Astronomy's advantage is device support (5 vs 3). On ads, 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
Deep Sky Scanner is free to download; SkyORB ∞ Astronomy costs $2.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SkyORB ∞ Astronomy ships an update every 2 months, Deep Sky Scanner every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SkyORB ∞ Astronomy | Deep Sky Scanner |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Positive reviews | 0.0% of reviews | — |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 3 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple TV, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 303 MB | 2 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Stephane Denis | Chris Eddy |
In-app purchases
SkyORB ∞ Astronomy
No in-app purchases
Deep Sky Scanner
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SkyORB ∞ Astronomy free?
Is Deep Sky Scanner free?
Do SkyORB ∞ Astronomy or Deep Sky Scanner have ads?
Which is updated more often, SkyORB ∞ Astronomy or Deep Sky Scanner?
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