Comparison

Step's Aurora Guide vs Aurora Compass

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

Head to head
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/

About

Aurora Compass

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
Read full description

Aurora Compass is a free aurora and space weather forecast app with no ads or paywalls. With it, you'll get all the data you need to catch the northern or southern lights in a layout that’s simple for beginners, yet detailed for experienced aurora chasers. The main features include: • Aurora alert notifications with cloudiness filter • Near real-time geomagnetic activity from over 110 magnetometers • Aurora forecast map with observation sharing tool • Current and forecasted aurora probability in your location • Solar image animation with x-ray chart and solar regions • WSA-Enlil solar wind forecast animation • Darkness tool to see when it'll be dark • Moon rise, set and phase information • Cloudiness forecast • Solar wind charts • Kp forecasts • Color theme for people with red-green colorblindness

Screenshots

Step's Aurora Guide4 screens
Aurora Compass4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aurora Compass at 80% against Step's Aurora Guide's 14%. Aurora Compass also leads on monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Step's Aurora Guide's advantage is ratings volume (107 vs 8) and chart position (#106 vs unranked). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Step's Aurora Guide sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and Aurora Compass sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aurora Compass holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Step's Aurora Guide has 107 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's written reviews are positive against 80% of Aurora Compass's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Step's Aurora Guide ships an update fortnightly, Aurora Compass monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Step's Aurora Guide versus Aurora Compass: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStep's Aurora GuideAurora Compass
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (107 ratings)4.8 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews80.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings107 — better8
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#106 — better
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteps Aurora GuideOtto Ranta-Ojala

Customer experience

Step's Aurora Guide

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

Aurora Compass

All ratings8 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral12.5%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Step's Aurora Guide

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

Aurora Compass

One-time8
  • Pastel Color Palette$1.99
  • Black and White Palette$1.99
  • Pink Color Palette$1.99
Show 5 more
  • Purple Color Palette$1.99
  • IBM Color Palette$1.99
  • Mint Color Palette$4.99
  • Gold Color Palette$9.99
  • Diamond Color Palette$29.99

Questions

Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aurora Compass free?
Aurora Compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Step's Aurora Guide or Aurora Compass?
Aurora Compass is rated higher. Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while Aurora Compass averages 4.8 from 8 ratings.
Do Step's Aurora Guide or Aurora Compass have ads?
Neither Step's Aurora Guide nor Aurora Compass shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Step's Aurora Guide or Aurora Compass?
Step's Aurora Guide ships an update fortnightly, and Aurora Compass monthly. Most recently, Step's Aurora Guide was updated on September 15, 2026 and Aurora Compass on September 10, 2026.

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