Comparison

SatFinder vs Staslink

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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).

About

Staslink

Track the International Space Station and Starlink satellites with real-time live maps and HD video feeds from NASA. Get personalized reminders for optimal viewing times and explore the universe from an astronaut's perspective.

Highlights
  • Live ISS & Starlink camera feed from NASA
  • Real-time global tracking with Live Map
  • Reminders for upcoming satellite visits
  • Visibility predictions and statistics
  • HD video of Earth from ISS
  • Smart Tracking Engine
Features
Read full description

Satellites ISS & Star Tracker helps you identify the best time to catch a glimpse of International Space Station & Starlink satellites on your night sky. Input your location and tap through to find the best times to observe them near your area. Reminders can be set for upcoming launches and/or high visibility sightings around your location. The satellites & ISS routes in low Earth orbit can be discovered through the 'Live Map'. Track the Starlink Satellites & International Space Station in real-time with HD Live Map and Smart Tracking Engine. Explore the universe and outer space life under the astronaut perspective with Livestream videos directly from NASA. You can also have the chances to stargaze when tracking the orbits through live videos. Plan ahead your plan to catch the glimpse of ISS and SpaceX satellites on the night sky in your area with provided statistics & reminders. Satellites ISS & Star Tracker gives you access to the 24/7 Live HD video of the Earth & Starlink launch recorded directly by NASA. As the ISS station orbits with an average altitude of 250 miles (400 kilometers), you can follow its camera & explore all the Earth's surface within roughly 93 minutes. Launched 60 at a time, the Starlink is described as a "train" of lights as they gracefully move through our skies. With Google Maps integrated into the app, users can easily track the ISS and Starlink around the globe and monitor its movement. Satellites ISS & Star Tracker features: + Live camera feed of ISS & Starlink directly from NASA. + Track the ISS & Starlink around the globe with a Live Map. + Reminders for upcoming Starlink visits with visibility predictions. + Check the ISS & Starlink's live statistics to locate it more easily on the night sky. + Predicted ISS & Starlink location for users for better monitoring and planning at the night sky. Note: When the International Space Station is on the night side of Earth, the video image is black - this is normal. Please do not worry! Sometimes, the live video is not available due to transmission issues or because the crew is changing cameras. In such cases, you will usually have a blue or blank screen. In a few minutes the transmission should return back to normal, so just relax for a moment. This is not a problem with the app. Disclaimer: This app is not affiliated with neither NASA nor ISS nor Starlink or any space related platforms. All the videos are rights reserved by NASA, we do not own any of these videos. Terms of Use: http://vulcanlabs.co/terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: http://vulcanlabs.co/privacy-policy/ Any questions? Contact us: support@vulcanlabs.com

Screenshots

SatFinder4 screens
Staslink4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Staslink at Free against SatFinder's $5.99. Staslink also leads on ratings volume (20K vs 344). SatFinder's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8) and ads (none vs shown). On rating, review sentiment, update cadence 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

Staslink is free to download; SatFinder costs $5.99 up front. Staslink sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. SatFinder asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SatFinder holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Staslink has 20K ratings behind it against 344, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 54% of SatFinder's written reviews are positive against 57% of Staslink's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SatFinder versus Staslink: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSatFinderStaslink
Price$5.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (344 ratings) — better4.4 (20K ratings)
Positive reviews53.6% of reviews56.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34420K — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 2 months
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size57 MB98 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRalf AndraeSMART WIDGET LABS COMPANY LIMITED

Customer experience

SatFinder

All ratings345 ratings
Positive90.4%
Neutral2.0%
Negative7.5%
Written reviews384 reviews
Positive53.6%
Neutral5.5%
Negative40.9%

Staslink

All ratings19,452 ratings
Positive84.8%
Neutral4.7%
Negative10.5%
Written reviews505 reviews
Positive56.6%
Neutral4.8%
Negative38.6%

User reviews

SatFinder

From 344 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy to use
  • 🚀 Accurate satellite detection
  • 💡 Helpful for RV and caravanning
  • 👍 Works well on iPhone 4/5

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Compass interference from dish
  • 🐛 Inaccurate azimuth readings
  • 🐛 Crashes and freezes
  • 🐛 Missing support for some satellite providers

Staslink

From 20K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Easy setup
  • 🚀 Fast internet speeds
  • 💡 Useful satellite tracking
  • 🔍 Informative app

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Inconsistent performance
  • 🤔 Unclear instructions
  • 💰 Expensive subscription
  • 🚫 Limited free features

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

Staslink

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • App freezing and crashing
  • Incorrect satellite pass times
  • Location detection issues
  • Incompatibility with older devices

Requested features

4 requests
  • Ability to track specific satellites
  • Improved location selection and storage
  • Satellite pass notifications
  • 3D sky view for better satellite visualization

In-app purchases

None

SatFinder

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

Staslink

Subscriptions5
  • Weekly Premium Tracking3 Days trial$2.997 Days
  • Weekly Freetrial3 Days trial$3.997 Days
  • Weekly Freetrial3 Days trial$4.997 Days
Show 2 more
  • Weekly3 Days trial$5.997 Days
  • Monthly Premium$12.991 Month
One-time3
  • Lifetime Premium$24.99
  • Lifetime$29.99
  • Lifetime$34.99

Questions

Is SatFinder free?
SatFinder costs $5.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Staslink free?
Staslink is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SatFinder or Staslink?
SatFinder is rated higher. SatFinder averages 4.6 out of 5 from 344 ratings, while Staslink averages 4.4 from 20K ratings.
Do SatFinder or Staslink have ads?
Staslink shows ads; SatFinder does not.
Which is updated more often, SatFinder or Staslink?
SatFinder ships an update every 2 months, and Staslink every 2 months. Most recently, SatFinder was updated on October 29, 2026 and Staslink on October 31, 2026.

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