Comparison

Step's Aurora Guide vs See

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

See

Share and discover cloud photos with a community of enthusiasts, educators, and scientists. Engage in discussions about cloud formation and atmospheric phenomena, fostering environmental awareness and scientific interest.

Highlights
  • Share cloud photos
  • Describe cloud formations
  • Identify cloud types
  • Comment on photos
  • Repost photos
  • Learn about atmospheric optics
  • Educational tool for weather awareness
Features
Read full description

See My Clouds provides a platform where students, teachers, scientists, science enthusiasts, and cloud lovers can share their cloud photos and enjoy the photos of others. They can provide a description of the clouds or ask followers to identify the clouds photographed. Photos of clouds of all types are welcomed as are photos of atmospheric optical effects due to clouds—like sunsets, rainbows, halos, etc. See My Clouds is designed to encourage first-hand observations of our environment and to excite an interest in it with others. Followers can comment on photos posted, repost them, or simply like them. Discussions about the processes involved in cloud formation and maintenance are encouraged. We highly encourage the participation of cloud voyeurs who want to observe the photos of others and contribute to any discussions. The See My Clouds app may also be used as a learning and teaching tool at high school, and college levels and can serve to heighten public weather awareness and encourage interest in the environment. This app works on a subscription basis, requiring a monthly or yearly plan to get started. https://api.seemyclouds.net/eula https://seemyclouds.net/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

Step's Aurora Guide4 screens
See4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: See at 100% against Step's Aurora Guide's 14%. See also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). Step's Aurora Guide's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 3.4) and monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription). On price, update cadence, ads 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 See sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. 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 3.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Step's Aurora Guide has 113 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's written reviews are positive against 100% of See's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Step's Aurora Guide versus See: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStep's Aurora GuideSee
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (113 ratings) — better3.4 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings113 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#151 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.014.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB87 MB
Age rating4+17+
DeveloperSteps Aurora GuideBruce Albrecht

Customer experience

Step's Aurora Guide

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

See

All ratings5 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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
4 purchases

See

Subscriptions4
  • Monthly1 Month trial$0.991 Month
  • Monthly$1.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • Yearly$12.991 Year

Questions

Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is See free?
See is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Step's Aurora Guide or See?
Step's Aurora Guide is rated higher. Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 113 ratings, while See averages 3.4 from 5 ratings.
Do Step's Aurora Guide or See have ads?
Neither Step's Aurora Guide nor See shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Step's Aurora Guide or See?
Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, and See every 3 weeks. Most recently, Step's Aurora Guide was updated on October 15, 2026 and See on October 3, 2026.

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