Comparison

Step's Aurora Guide vs Solar Activity

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

Solar Activity

Track real-time solar activity, monitor sunspots, and detect coronal mass ejections. Get forecasts and view stunning solar animations to stay informed about space weather events.

Highlights
  • Solar Animations
  • Active Regions Tracking
  • CME Detection
  • Solar Wind Data
  • Space Weather Forecasts
Features
Read full description

Solar Activity - Space Weather is the perfect app for space weather enthusiasts and a great companion for aurora chasers. Stay up to date with the latest solar activity and track key space weather events in real time. Features: * Solar Animations – Watch stunning time-lapse animations of the sun in different wavelengths. * Active Regions Tracking – Monitor sunspots and active solar regions with detailed insights. * CME Detection – Stay informed with real-time updates from SDO and LASCO imagery. * Solar Wind Data – Check current solar wind speed, density, and other key metrics. * Forecasts – Get the latest space weather forecasts and stay prepared. We hope you find the app useful and don't hesitate to reach out if you have suggestions how to improve the app! Terms of use: https://vnilapps.com/solar-activity/terms-conditions

Screenshots

Step's Aurora Guide4 screens
Solar Activity4 screens

Verdict

The call

Step's Aurora Guide and Solar Activity both sit at 4.6 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Solar Activity's written reviews are positive against 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's. Step's Aurora Guide's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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 Solar Activity sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for Step's Aurora Guide against 4.7 for Solar Activity. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 116 and 59 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's written reviews are positive against 100% of Solar Activity's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, Solar Activity every 2 months. Both last shipped on October 30, 2026.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Step's Aurora Guide versus Solar Activity: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStep's Aurora GuideSolar Activity
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (116 ratings)4.7 (59 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings116 — better59
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS16.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB74 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteps Aurora GuideVNIL AB

Customer experience

Step's Aurora Guide

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

Solar Activity

All ratings52 ratings
Positive96.2%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews2 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
2 purchases

Solar Activity

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Pro7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Yearly Pro7 Days trial$7.991 Year

Questions

Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Solar Activity free?
Solar Activity is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Step's Aurora Guide or Solar Activity?
Solar Activity is rated higher. Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 116 ratings, while Solar Activity averages 4.7 from 59 ratings.
Do Step's Aurora Guide or Solar Activity have ads?
Solar Activity shows ads; Step's Aurora Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, Step's Aurora Guide or Solar Activity?
Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, and Solar Activity every 2 months. Most recently, Step's Aurora Guide was updated on October 30, 2026 and Solar Activity on October 30, 2026.

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