Comparison

Step's Aurora Guide vs Aurora Alerts & Forecast

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
Currently charting
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 Alerts & Forecast

This app provides real-time aurora forecasts and alerts, using your location to offer local visibility ratings. It analyzes weather data and aurora scores to predict the best times and places to see the Northern Lights.

Highlights
  • Real-time KP index and aurora likelihood
  • Best viewing locations list
  • Global aurora strength map
  • Local aurora visibility ratings
  • Cloud cover and visibility analysis
Features
Read full description

Aurora Alerts and Forecast is the most accurate aurora app. To give accurate local times and aurora forecasts, it must first utilize your location to determine the nation and timezone you are in. This is an aurora tracking, forecasting, and warning tool that provides local aurora visibility ratings for cities worldwide. We use weather parameters such as cloud cover, visibility, time of day, and aurora score to create a score that can help you determine the aurora visibility times for a specific city. Features includes : - The current KP index and likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights. - See a list of the greatest places to view from right now. - Based on the SWPC ovation aurora forecast, this map depicts the strength of the auroras over the world. Aurora Alerts & Forecast offers you 3 unique plans. Subscribe to have unlimited access to premium version of the app. 1 Week - $6.99 1 Month - $14.99 1 Year - $44.99 100 Credits - $9.99 * Subscription payments will be charged to your iTunes account at confirmation of your purchase and upon commencement of each renewal term. Subscription with a free trial period will automatically renew to a paid subscription. You can cancel your subscription or free trial in the iTunes settings at least 24-hours before the end of the free trial period. The cancellation will take effect the day after the last day of the current subscription period and you will be downgraded to the free service. * Please note: any unused portion of a free trial period (if offered) will be forfeited when you purchase a premium subscription during the free trial period. For more information : Privacy Policy : https://appzibraininfotech.blogspot.com/2024/03/privacy-policy.html Terms of Use : https://appzibraininfotech.blogspot.com/2024/03/terms-of-use.html

Screenshots

Step's Aurora Guide4 screens
Aurora Alerts & Forecast4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Step's Aurora Guide at 4.6 against Aurora Alerts & Forecast's 3.6. Step's Aurora Guide also leads on ads (none vs shown) and review sentiment (14% vs 0%). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases 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 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Aurora Alerts & Forecast sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. 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 3.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116 and 120 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's written reviews are positive against 0% of Aurora Alerts & Forecast's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, Aurora Alerts & Forecast every 9 days. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
Step's Aurora Guide versus Aurora Alerts & Forecast: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStep's Aurora GuideAurora Alerts & Forecast
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (116 ratings) — better3.6 (120 ratings)
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings116120 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#191 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteps Aurora GuideAppziBrain Infotech LLP

Customer experience

Step's Aurora Guide

All ratings113 ratings
Positive90.3%
Neutral3.5%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews7 reviews
Positive14.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative85.7%

Aurora Alerts & Forecast

All ratings120 ratings
Positive63.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative32.5%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative95.0%

Bugs and requests

Step's Aurora Guide

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Aurora Alerts & Forecast

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App gets stuck after showing ads
  • App closes without paying
  • No alerts despite premium subscription
  • Location tracking is inaccurate

Requested features

5 requests
  • Provide a free trial
  • Offer more accessible free content
  • Improve alert functionality
  • Explain subscription benefits clearly
  • Show content without subscription

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Step's Aurora Guide

Subscriptions3
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$6.991 Month
  • Alerts, Forecast & Guide3 Days trial$29.991 Year
6 purchases

Aurora Alerts & Forecast

Subscriptions4
  • Aurora Forecast One Week$3.997 Days
  • Aurora Forecast One Month$5.991 Month
  • Aurora Forecast Three Month$7.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Aurora Forecast One Year$19.991 Year
One-time2
  • Aurora Video 100 Credits$9.99
  • Aurora Forecast Lifetime$44.99

Questions

Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aurora Alerts & Forecast free?
Aurora Alerts & Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Step's Aurora Guide or Aurora Alerts & Forecast?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 116 ratings, while Aurora Alerts & Forecast averages 3.6 from 120 ratings.
Do Step's Aurora Guide or Aurora Alerts & Forecast have ads?
Aurora Alerts & Forecast shows ads; Step's Aurora Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, Step's Aurora Guide or Aurora Alerts & Forecast?
Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aurora Alerts & Forecast every 9 days. Most recently, Step's Aurora Guide was updated on October 30, 2026 and Aurora Alerts & Forecast on October 30, 2026.

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