Sputnik! vs SatCatcher
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sputnik!
Track the International Space Station and bright satellites with precise timing and location data. Get second-by-second countdowns, set reminders, and view satellite paths in the night sky. Supports offline calculations and sharing sightings.
- Accurate satellite and ISS sighting predictions
- Starlink satellite train detection
- Second-by-second countdowns
- Sighting reminders
- Compass direction and elevation display
- Night sky path visualization
- Offline calculations
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Sputnik! is an easy to use tool for predicting when the International Space Station will pass by your location or when a bright satellite will be visible in the skies above. Sputnik! features: - Predictions of satellite and ISS sightings accurate to the second. - Detection of Starlink satellite trains. - Second by second countdown to the satellite sighting. - Set reminders of upcoming satellite sightings. - Displays compass direction and elevation for your device to easily find the part of the sky where the sighting will occur (requires capable device). - Rotate your device to landscape orientation to show exactly where the satellite will pass in the night sky. - Share sightings via Twitter, Facebook, Mail, Messages and others. - Automatic download of up to date satellite orbital data. - Offline calculations, no need to be connected to the internet once orbital data has been downloaded. - Input your location automatically by GPS, select from a map or enter coordinates manually. - Save your favorite places for easy access. - Audio cues for the last seconds before the satellite passes by. Sputnik! on Apple Watch: - Easily find the next and last sighting at your current location. * Sputnik! is ad-supported *
SatCatcher
This app simplifies satellite dish installation and alignment using augmented reality and GPS. It guides you through choosing a satellite, finding its position in space, and adjusting your antenna for optimal signal reception.
- Augmented reality satellite display
- GPS location and satellite direction
- Compass and sound assistant for orientation
- Accelerometer for vertical support check
- LNB polarization calculation
- Elevation adjustment guide
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Dish alignment, pointing and Installation has always been a complicated task, especially if you do not have a clue. That is why I posted this application that will simplify this task and allow you to install and align your antenna without the need to call a specialist. SatCatcher is a satellite finder and dish pointer, it allows you to orient your antenna to any satellite. Using augmented reality, this application displays the target satellite in space to better choose the location of your antenna and ensure the absence of any obstacle (wall, tree ...). SatCatcher also uses your phone GPS to show your location on a map and shows the direction of the satellite from your position. The compass accompanied by a beep lets you orient your antenna following the acceleration of beeps or the arrow of the compass. The accelerometer is used to verify that the holder of your antenna is vertical. The antenna adjustment steps: 1- choose a satellite and authorize geolocation to determine the direction of the antenna orientation. 2- Show satellite in augmented reality with your camera and make sure there are no obstacles and validate the location of your antenna. 3. Check that the support of your antenna is vertical. 4. Calculate the polarization and adjust the rotation of the LNB (the head of your antenna) 5. Set the elevation 6- Search orientation with visual and sound assistant 7- Fine adjustments. For the good functioning of the application, SatCatcher will need the camera, compass, gyroscope, accelerometer and the GPS of your smartphone. tips: - If your smartphone does not have GPS, you can manually move the "marker" on the card until it points your exact location. Use zoom for more detail. - The compass is very important to adjust your dish, but if your smartphone does not have one, you can still use the application. In this case, it will help you to find clues and marks on the map from your location. It also allows you to calculate the orientation. Than you can use a manual compass to get a good orientation. - Do not hesitate to recalibrate the compass and avoid too close to the antenna arm, because it is sensitive to metallic elements. Try to place your smartphone where there is less magnetic interference. SatCatcher Free is the lite version of SatCatcher. Augmented reality and compass orientation are only available in the full version here: https://appsto.re/fr/Gb6Hbb.i Contact : infosoftycontactfree@gmail.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Sputnik! at 92% against SatCatcher's 53%. Sputnik! also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). SatCatcher's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). 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
Both are free to download. Sputnik! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SatCatcher asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sputnik! holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sputnik! has 731 ratings behind it against 80, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of Sputnik!'s written reviews are positive against 53% of SatCatcher's.
Sputnik! ships an update every 5 months, SatCatcher every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sputnik! | SatCatcher |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.7 (731 ratings) — better | 4.3 (80 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 92.2% of reviews — better | 52.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 731 — better | 80 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Ad-supported — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 35 MB | 72 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Applicate Ltd | Souria HAKKAR |
Customer experience
Sputnik!
SatCatcher
Bugs and requests
Sputnik!
Reported bugs
3 issues- App reporting 'No Sightings' for all categories
- Null check errors when selecting satellite sightings
- Issues with location settings and data updates
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for more satellite types
- Improve sky chart visualization and orientation
- Provide filtering options (e.g. by elevation, magnitude)
- Implement automatic data updates
SatCatcher
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sputnik!
- Go ad-free$0.99
SatCatcher
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Sputnik! free?
Is SatCatcher free?
Which has better reviews, Sputnik! or SatCatcher?
Do Sputnik! or SatCatcher have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sputnik! or SatCatcher?
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