# Starmap vs Classic Sky Map 2

The clearest difference is rating: Classic Sky Map 2 at 4.7 against Starmap's 4.0. Classic Sky Map 2 also leads on ratings volume (9.8K vs 4). Starmap's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 16 months) and monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, review sentiment, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Starmap sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Classic Sky Map 2 sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Classic Sky Map 2 holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Classic Sky Map 2 has 9.8K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 77% and 76% positive.

Starmap ships an update every 2 weeks, Classic Sky Map 2 every 16 months. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Starmap | Classic Sky Map 2 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starmap/id284408099/reviews) | **[4.7 (9.8K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-sky-map-2/id1137455038/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 4 | **9.8K** |
| Positive reviews | **76.6% of reviews** | 75.9% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 weeks** | Every 16 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 110 MB | 69 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **17.6** |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fredd](https://appshunter.io/developer/283006534) | [X04 Studios Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/510671181) |

## What reviewers say

### Starmap

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/starmap/id284408099)

Explore the night sky with a comprehensive star atlas. Identify celestial objects, track comets and asteroids, and access detailed information on stars, constellations, and lunar features. Includes live solar physics data and a red night-vision mode for stargazing.

**Highlights:** Extensive star and object catalogues, Live solar physics data, Detailed lunar features, Real-time comet and asteroid tracking, Telescope and eyepiece simulation, Red night-vision mode

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What Happens when Galaxies Collide? | $0.99 | one-time |
| Wandering the Summer Sky | $0.99 | one-time |
| Exploring the Crab Nebula | $0.99 | one-time |
| 10h8'22", 11°58'2" | $0.99 | one-time |
| The Star That Should Not Exist | $0.99 | one-time |
| Un océan d'étoiles | $0.99 | one-time |
| Esculape | $0.99 | one-time |
| Sur le dos du cheval ailé | $0.99 | one-time |
| L'étoile qui ne devrait pas exister | $0.99 | one-time |
| Vieillesse prématurée à Galaxie-Ville | $0.99 | one-time |


### Classic Sky Map 2

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/classic-sky-map-2/id1137455038)

Explore the cosmos with an intuitive and beautiful sky map.  Easily identify stars, planets, and constellations by simply pointing your device at the sky.  Track celestial events and understand astronomical movements with time-lapse features.

**Highlights:** Live sky tracking, Interactive earth map, Time-lapse sky simulation, Beautiful constellation art, Celestial object search, Night vision mode

**Features:** Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Full Version | $2.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use
- 🚀 Straightforward and not cluttered with ads
- 🌟 Excellent for stargazing and learning about the night sky
- 🌍 Helpful ground references for locating celestial objects
- 🎓 Great educational tool for young astronomers

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional calibration and alignment issues
- 🔍 Limited information on stars beyond just names
- 🌌 Can't see below the horizon
- 🗺️ Clumsy and unintuitive navigation at times
- 🔍 Small viewing area that makes it hard to see all the stars

**Reported bugs**

- Compass bearing is inaccurate
- Active tracking no longer works
- App becomes unusable after certain updates

**Requested features**

- Add information on comets, meteor showers, and other space events
- Provide an option to only show visible stars
- Improve search functionality to find planets, moons, and other objects not currently in the sky
- Offer a live tracking mode that updates in real-time


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Starmap free?

Starmap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Classic Sky Map 2 free?

Classic Sky Map 2 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Starmap or Classic Sky Map 2?

Classic Sky Map 2 is rated higher. Starmap averages 4.0 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while Classic Sky Map 2 averages 4.7 from 9.8K ratings.

### Do Starmap or Classic Sky Map 2 have ads?

Neither Starmap nor Classic Sky Map 2 shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Starmap or Classic Sky Map 2?

Starmap ships an update every 2 weeks, and Classic Sky Map 2 every 16 months. Most recently, Starmap was updated on October 22, 2026 and Classic Sky Map 2 on October 21, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*