Comparison

Step's Aurora Guide vs AuroraTonight!

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

AuroraTonight!

Features
Read full description

AuroraTonight! is based on an advanced machine learning model that can predict magnetic perturbations around the world up to two hours in advance with unprecedented accuracy. The strongest magnetic perturbations are caused by the aurora, so we can forecast the aurora for any location an hour earlier than the other models. The app provides global notifications up to three days ahead based on NOAA forecast and local alerts up to two hours ahead. The local alerts take into account darkness and clear sky conditions.

Screenshots

Step's Aurora Guide4 screens
AuroraTonight!3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AuroraTonight! at none against Step's Aurora Guide's 3. AuroraTonight! also leads on device support (3 vs 1). Step's Aurora Guide's advantage is chart position (#128 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads 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. AuroraTonight! asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Step's Aurora Guide ships an update fortnightly, AuroraTonight! monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 27, 2026 and September 16, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 8 level
Step's Aurora Guide versus AuroraTonight!: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStep's Aurora GuideAuroraTonight!
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (107 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews14.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings107 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
Best chart rank#128 — better—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSteps Aurora GuideThe University of Michigan

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

AuroraTonight!

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 AuroraTonight! free?
AuroraTonight! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Step's Aurora Guide or AuroraTonight! have ads?
Neither Step's Aurora Guide nor AuroraTonight! shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Step's Aurora Guide or AuroraTonight!?
Step's Aurora Guide ships an update fortnightly, and AuroraTonight! monthly. Most recently, Step's Aurora Guide was updated on September 27, 2026 and AuroraTonight! on September 16, 2026.

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