SatFinder vs DishPointer (Satellite Finder)
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SatFinder
Easily align your satellite dish in four simple steps. Select your antenna type, choose a satellite, check for obstacles, and adjust your dish for optimal reception.
- Choose from four antenna designs
- Automatic satellite search
- Obstacle detection with visual indicators
- Step-by-step antenna adjustment guidance
- Camera and LiDAR for antenna measurement
- Channel information for selected satellites
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With SatFinder you can adjust your satellite antenna in a few seconds and with 4 simple steps: STEP 1 - CHOOSE YOUR ANTENNA Choose one of the four different antenna designs: - Offset antennas (the most common, is slightly oval, the LNB is not in the center). - Special design (e.g. Oblong shaped Offset antenna, Multifeed antenna) - Parabolic antenna (LNB is located in the center of the reflector, usually larger than 100cm) - Flat or planar antenna (small, camping antennas) If you have an offset antenna, enter the height and width of the antenna. If your antenna has a special shape, enter the offset angle and the size of the satellite antenna. You can find the offset angle in the manual of your satellite antenna. For parabolic antennas it is sufficient to enter the antenna diameter. With a flat antenna you do not have to set anything. If you know the exact antenna name, check if your antenna is already in the database. Tip: Press the wizard button to measure the size of the satellite antenna using the iPhone camera and LiDAR scanner. STEP 2 - CHOOSE YOUR SATELLITE To quickly and easily select a suitable satellite, simply press the "AUTO" button. The SatFinder will now automatically search for satellites that are in your reception area and that offer TV or radio stations in your language (the language setting of your iPhone will be selected). The stars (1-10) shown in the table result from the number of radio and TV channels offered and the reception strength at your location. If you want to receive a special satellite, switch off "AUTO": Now you can simply scroll through the table and select the satellite. Faster is the search function - just enter the name of the satellite, the channel or the orbit position. You can also reduce the number of table entries by hiding satellites that are not available at your location or do not broadcast in your language. With the button "Channel Info" you can check which channels the selected satellite is currently broadcasting - including all channel parameters for your satellite receiver. STEP 3 - CHECK OBSTACLES For a smooth satellite reception, there must not be any obstacles between the satellite and your satellite antenna. You can check this with the "View" function. Simply aim at the satellite and watch the signs (GREEN - no obstacle, RED - caution, free view may not be given). Tip: Press the button for the assistant to activate the voice output. STEP 4 - ADJUST ANTENNA In the menu item "Align" different graphics appear depending on the selected antenna type. If you use an offset antenna, you have to adjust the azimuth and elevation separately. With planar or parabolic antennas the adjustment of the angles is done together. Before you press the "Start" button, a video clip shows how to position your iPhone at the antenna. Tip: Press the button for the assistant to activate the voice output. STEP 5 - FINE TUNING If necessary, you can optimize the reception of your satellite system. The SatFinder provides you with the function "FineTuning". To use this function, you need a second iOS device. One device serves as a camera; the second device as a monitor. Simply place an iPhone in front of your reception screen and observe changes in picture quality while slightly rotating or tilting your satellite antenna. With the FineTuning feature, you'll have visual contact with your TV even when you're out of sight. THAT'S IT. YOU SHOULD NOW BE ABLE TO ENJOY INTERFERENCE-FREE SATELLITE RECEPTION... Note: Satellite antenna tuning is only available on iOS devices with LiDAR sensor (e.g. iPhone 12 Pro).
DishPointer (Satellite Finder)
This app simplifies satellite dish alignment using augmented reality and smartphone sensors. It guides users through a step-by-step process to precisely orient dishes for optimal signal reception, even compensating for gyroscope absence and magnetic declination.
- Augmented reality satellite view
- Step-by-step installation guide
- GPS location mapping
- Compass and beep guidance
- LNB polarization calculation
- Elevation adjustment
- Obstacle detection
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DishPointer allows you to align your satellite dish with great precision in a minimum of time thanks to augmented reality. Adjusting a dish has always been complicated. but thanks to DishPointer this task becomes child's play. By following the 9 steps of the application, you will successfully install your dish in few minutes. No more need for a gyroscope to use augmented reality. We have combined the accelerometer and magnetometer data to compensate for the possible absence of the gyroscope. This allows the majority of smartphones to benefit from augmented reality. In DishPointer we have also integrated a module to calculate the magnetic declination and compensate the error between magnetic north and geographic north because we have noticed that the majority of smartphones do not integrate this declination. This help to display the right direction DishPointer is an application that lets you orient your dish or antenna to any satellite. Thanks to the sensors of your smartphone (Compass, accelerometer) this application displays the target satellite in space in order to better choose the location of your dish or antenna and to ensure the absence of any obstacle (wall, tree…). DishPointer also uses GPS to display your location on a map and then display the direction of the target satellite from your location. The compass accompanied by a beep allows you to orient your antenna or satellite dish by following the acceleration of the beeps and the arrow of the compass. The accelerometer is used to check that the support of your antenna or dish is vertical. The steps for adjusting the antenna or the dish: 1- choose your language 2- retrieving your GPS position automatically using GPS or manually by entering your latitude and longitude. 3- choose your target satellite to calculate the orientation parameters of the antenna or the satellite dish. 4- check that the support of your antenna or dish is vertical. 5- calculate the polarization and adjust the rotation of the LNB (the head of your antenna or satellite dish) 6- adjust the elevation 7- display of a line which indicates the orientation of the target satellite from your position on a Google Maps. 8- using the compass of your smartphone accompanied by a beep to help you find the right direction of the satellite (available in Pro version). 9- display the satellite in augmented reality thanks to your camera and make sure that there is no obstacle. This is used to validate the location of your antenna or dish (available in the Pro version). 10- refine the settings. For the app to work properly, DishPointer will need the compass and the accelerometer from your smartphone. Tips: - if your smartphone does not have a GPS, you can manually enter your latitude and longitude (you can get them on Google Maps). - the compass is only essential for the Pro version. - do not hesitate to recalibrate the compass and avoid approaching it too close to the arm of the parabola because it is sensitive to metallic elements. Try to place your smartphone where there is the least magnetic interference. The free version of DishPointer is enough for you to install your dish. It will calculate the orientation parameters and display the precise direction of the satellite on a Maps map. The Pro version offers you the use of augmented reality to see the exact position of satellites in space. It also provides you with an assistant based on the phone compass to display the exact direction of the target satellite. Contact: infosoftycontactfree@gmail.com
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: DishPointer (Satellite Finder) at Free against SatFinder's $5.99. DishPointer (Satellite Finder) also leads on review sentiment (76% vs 54%) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 14.0). SatFinder's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, ratings volume 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
DishPointer (Satellite Finder) is free to download; SatFinder costs $5.99 up front. DishPointer (Satellite Finder) sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. SatFinder asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.6 for SatFinder against 4.7 for DishPointer (Satellite Finder). Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 345 and 235 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 54% of SatFinder's written reviews are positive against 76% of DishPointer (Satellite Finder)'s.
SatFinder ships an update every 2 months, DishPointer (Satellite Finder) every 13 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SatFinder | DishPointer (Satellite Finder) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $5.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (345 ratings) | 4.7 (235 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 53.6% of reviews | 76.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 345 — better | 235 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 13 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 57 MB | 68 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Ralf Andrae | Souria HAKKAR |
Customer experience
SatFinder
DishPointer (Satellite Finder)
Bugs and requests
SatFinder
Reported bugs
3 issues- Crashes on launch
- Compass issues when near dish
- Incorrect satellite positioning information
Requested features
4 requests- Add support for more satellite providers
- Improve compass accuracy and reduce interference
- Provide option to disable startup video
- Add LNB skew adjustment
DishPointer (Satellite Finder)
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SatFinder
No in-app purchases
DishPointer (Satellite Finder)
- Unlock all features & hide ads$2.99
Questions
Is SatFinder free?
Is DishPointer (Satellite Finder) free?
Which has better reviews, SatFinder or DishPointer (Satellite Finder)?
Do SatFinder or DishPointer (Satellite Finder) have ads?
Which is updated more often, SatFinder or DishPointer (Satellite Finder)?
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