iOptron Commander (iOS) vs MLAstro Hub
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iOptron Commander (iOS)
Control your iOptron telescope mount remotely using your iOS device. This utility allows for basic functions like slewing to celestial objects, syncing time and location, and managing compatible mount series.
- Remote telescope mount control
- Slew to stars and deepsky objects
- Sync time and site from iOS
- Supports HEM, HAE, HAZ, CEM, GEM series mounts
- Basic control functions
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This is an application for owner of iOptron telescope mounts to remote control their telescope mounts via iOS devices. This lite version has some basic function such as slew to famous stars, named deepsky objects, solar system, sync time and site from iOS devices, and etc. Compatible product list: All HEM series All HAE series All HAZ.series CEM120 series CEM70 series GEM45 series CEM40 series GEM28 series CEM26 series SkyHunter
MLAstro Hub
Control your OnStep telescope mount wirelessly from your phone. Manage mount status, navigate celestial catalogs, and perform alignment and configuration tasks without a laptop.
- Live mount status monitoring
- Directional control with adjustable slew rates
- One-tap home and park functionality
- Access to celestial object catalogs for Go-To slewing
- Guided alignment workflow
- Flexible Wi-Fi network setup
- Configuration and tuning options
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MLAstro is the wireless remote control companion for OnStep-based telescope mounts connected through SmartWebServer. Whether you're in your backyard or at a dark-sky site, MLAstro gives you everything you need right from your phone — no laptop, no cables, no hassle. KEY FEATURES ● Live Mount Status See your mount's current state at a glance: tracking mode, guide rates, slew status, and connection health — all updated in real time. ● Full Directional Control A responsive on-screen directional pad lets you nudge the mount in any direction. Adjust slew rates, start or stop tracking, and send mount utility commands with a tap. ● Home & Park Safely home or park your mount at the end of a session with dedicated one-tap controls. ● Go-To Catalogs Browse built-in catalogs and send your mount directly to any object: - Messier catalog (110 objects) - Caldwell catalog (109 objects) - Bright Stars list - J2000 coordinate entry for any custom target ● Target Detail & Slew View object details before slewing, confirm the target, and watch your mount move — all from one clean screen. ● Alignment Workflow Step through the alignment process guided by the app, so your mount points accurately every time. ● Flexible Network Setup Supports both Access Point and Station (router) Wi-Fi modes. Save your controller's IP address and port so you're always one tap from connecting. ● Configuration & Tuning Adjust meridian flip settings, slew limits, slew rates, tracking mode, time & location, and controller / axis parameters — all without leaving the app. ● Light & Dark Theme Choose light, dark, or follow your system preference. REQUIREMENTS - An OnStep-based telescope mount controller - SmartWebServer (or compatible TCP bridge) running on port 9998 (configurable) - iOS 15 or later - Same local Wi-Fi network as the mount MLAstro is built for amateur astronomers who want a clean, capable mobile controller for their OnStep rig. No account required. No cloud. Just your phone and your mount.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: MLAstro Hub at 5.0 against iOptron Commander (iOS)'s 1.8. MLAstro Hub also leads on update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 6 months) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). iOptron Commander (iOS)'s advantage is ratings volume (15 vs 1). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
MLAstro Hub holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iOptron Commander (iOS) has 15 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.
iOptron Commander (iOS) ships an update every 6 months, MLAstro Hub every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iOptron Commander (iOS) | MLAstro Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (15 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 6.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 41 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 成城 徐 | To Ngoc Khanh |
Customer experience
iOptron Commander (iOS)
MLAstro Hub
In-app purchases
iOptron Commander (iOS)
No in-app purchases
MLAstro Hub
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iOptron Commander (iOS) free?
Is MLAstro Hub free?
Which has better reviews, iOptron Commander (iOS) or MLAstro Hub?
Do iOptron Commander (iOS) or MLAstro Hub have ads?
Which is updated more often, iOptron Commander (iOS) or MLAstro Hub?
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