iOptron Commander (iOS) vs AuroraSpy
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
AuroraSpy
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AuroraSpy is the calm aurora guide for travelers in Iceland. Instead of throwing raw Kp numbers and cloud percentages at you, AuroraSpy combines space-weather activity, local cloud cover and how dark the sky actually is right now into one clear decision: go out tonight, wait an hour, or skip and try tomorrow. The app is built around how a real night unfolds. As dusk turns into true night and the hours march toward dawn, the screen changes with you — showing the right card for "is it dark yet?", "is anything happening?", "is it worth driving somewhere clearer?", and "did I miss it?". One screen. Eight faces. No dashboards. For travelers • A single trustworthy answer when you have one cold night to spend • Honest about clouds — it will tell you when it's not worth going • Bilingual: English and Icelandic out of the box • Off-season friendly: explains why summer isn't aurora season and when the dark hours come back What it uses • Real-time geomagnetic activity (Kp, Bz, solar wind speed) • Local cloud cover from public weather services • Sun altitude + astronomical twilight at your coordinates • Optional: your location, only when you ask for a viewing call Privacy first • No account required • Sighting reports are anonymous — no device or user ID is stored • You can erase your waitlist email from inside the app in two taps • Full policy: https://auroraspy.com/privacy.html Built in Iceland. Made for the long winter nights.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: AuroraSpy at every 2 days against iOptron Commander (iOS)'s every 6 months. AuroraSpy also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 18.6). On price, ads, 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
iOptron Commander (iOS) ships an update every 6 months, AuroraSpy every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 25, 2026 and October 28, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iOptron Commander (iOS) | AuroraSpy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 1.8 (15 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 6.3% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 15 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 6 months | Every 2 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 24 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 成城 徐 | Brynjar Bjornsson |
In-app purchases
iOptron Commander (iOS)
No in-app purchases
AuroraSpy
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is iOptron Commander (iOS) free?
Is AuroraSpy free?
Do iOptron Commander (iOS) or AuroraSpy have ads?
Which is updated more often, iOptron Commander (iOS) or AuroraSpy?
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