Comparison

Step's Aurora Guide vs Aurorapulse

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

Aurorapulse

Share your aurora photos and memories with a community of enthusiasts. Discover past sightings on an interactive map and connect with others who love the aurora borealis.

Highlights
  • Share aurora photos and memories
  • Track aurora sightings on a map
  • Community for aurora enthusiasts
  • Discover past sightings
Features
Read full description

Aurorapulse is a community for anyone interested in the aurora. You can upload all your memories and photos of the aurora and share them with others, and track on the map where your favorite aurora sightings have happened.

Screenshots

Step's Aurora Guide4 screens
Aurorapulse4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Aurorapulse at 100% against Step's Aurora Guide's 14%. Aurorapulse also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 3) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Step's Aurora Guide's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (113 vs 5). On price, update cadence, device support and iOS requirement 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. Aurorapulse asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aurorapulse holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. 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 point the same way: 14% of Step's Aurora Guide's written reviews are positive against 100% of Aurorapulse's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, Aurorapulse every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Step's Aurora Guide versus Aurorapulse: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStep's Aurora GuideAurorapulse
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (113 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings113 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 10 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesAd-supported — better
Best chart rank#140 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB49 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteps Aurora GuideMishMash Technologies Limited Liability Company

Customer experience

Step's Aurora Guide

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

Aurorapulse

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 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
None

Aurorapulse

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Step's Aurora Guide free?
Step's Aurora Guide is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aurorapulse free?
Aurorapulse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Step's Aurora Guide or Aurorapulse?
Aurorapulse is rated higher. Step's Aurora Guide averages 4.6 out of 5 from 113 ratings, while Aurorapulse averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Step's Aurora Guide or Aurorapulse have ads?
Aurorapulse shows ads; Step's Aurora Guide does not.
Which is updated more often, Step's Aurora Guide or Aurorapulse?
Step's Aurora Guide ships an update every 3 weeks, and Aurorapulse every 10 days. Most recently, Step's Aurora Guide was updated on October 15, 2026 and Aurorapulse on October 1, 2026.

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