Comparison

Sputnik! vs ISS Tracker

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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 *

About

ISS Tracker

Monitor the International Space Station's live position and vital telemetry data in real-time. Track its orbit, altitude, velocity, and internal environmental systems. Ideal for space enthusiasts and students interested in space exploration.

Highlights
  • Real-time ISS position tracking
  • Interactive world map
  • Altitude and velocity data
  • Comprehensive telemetry monitoring
  • Environmental and power system data
  • Dark mode support
Features
Read full description

ISS Tracker: Real-Time Space Station Monitor Experience the International Space Station like never before with our comprehensive real-time tracking and telemetry monitoring app. Perfect for space enthusiasts, students, and anyone fascinated by space exploration. KEY FEATURES: LIVE TRACKING & ORBIT • Real-time ISS position tracking on an interactive world map • Current altitude, velocity, and orbital period • Precise latitude and longitude coordinates • Customizable map views (Standard & Satellite) COMPREHENSIVE TELEMETRY • Position & Attitude: Real-time altitude, velocity, yaw, pitch, and roll • Environmental Systems: O₂ levels, CO₂ levels, cabin pressure, and temperature • Power Systems: CMG momentum and status • Thermal Control: Loop A/B temperature and flow rates • Water Management: Clean water, waste water, and urine tank levels • Cooling Systems: Avionics and air cooling temperatures • Oxygen Supply: O₂ and N₂ tank pressure readings • Node Systems: Avionics temperature monitoring • EVA Systems: EMU voltage and current readings • Communications: Ku-Band status and video channels SMART FEATURES • Dark mode support for comfortable viewing • Intuitive interface designed for space enthusiasts • Real-time data updates • Professional-grade accuracy EDUCATIONAL VALUE: Perfect for: • STEM students learning about space technology • Space enthusiasts tracking ISS operations • Teachers demonstrating orbital mechanics • Anyone interested in space station operations Stay connected with humanity's outpost in space. Download ISS Tracker now and monitor the International Space Station's vital signs in real-time. Note: This app uses official telemetry data to provide accurate information about the International Space Station's systems and position.

Screenshots

Sputnik!4 screens
ISS Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ISS Tracker at none against Sputnik!'s 1. ISS Tracker also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 5 months) and rating (5.0 vs 4.7). Sputnik!'s advantage is ratings volume (731 vs 5). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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. Sputnik! sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. ISS Tracker asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ISS Tracker holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sputnik! has 731 ratings behind it against 5, 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 100% of ISS Tracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sputnik! ships an update every 5 months, ISS Tracker weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Sputnik! versus ISS Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSputnik!ISS Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (731 ratings)5.0 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews92.2% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings731 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.1
Further details — not scored
Size35 MB32 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperApplicate LtdLucent Enterprises Ltd.

Customer experience

Sputnik!

All ratings731 ratings
Positive94.8%
Neutral2.6%
Negative2.6%
Written reviews243 reviews
Positive92.2%
Neutral1.2%
Negative6.6%

ISS Tracker

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

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

ISS Tracker

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Sputnik!

One-time1
  • Go ad-free$0.99
None

ISS Tracker

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Sputnik! free?
Sputnik! is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ISS Tracker free?
ISS Tracker is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Sputnik! or ISS Tracker?
ISS Tracker is rated higher. Sputnik! averages 4.7 out of 5 from 731 ratings, while ISS Tracker averages 5.0 from 5 ratings.
Do Sputnik! or ISS Tracker have ads?
Neither Sputnik! nor ISS Tracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sputnik! or ISS Tracker?
Sputnik! ships an update every 5 months, and ISS Tracker weekly. Most recently, Sputnik! was updated on October 15, 2026 and ISS Tracker on September 30, 2026.

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