Luminos vs Luminos Pro
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Luminos
This astronomy companion app, after 12 years of updates, is being retired. A more advanced version, Luminos Pro, is available with new features and ongoing support. This version remains accessible for existing users.
- Astronomy software
- 12 years of updates
- Retired version
- Advanced version available (Luminos Pro)
- Continued support for existing customers
Read full descriptionHide full description
Thank you for being a part of my journey with Luminos! As I strive to bring you the best in astronomical software, I want to let you know that, after 12 years of updates, this version of Luminos will be retired in 2023. But there's exciting news: I've developed Luminos Pro, an advanced version that offers even more amazing features and updates. To continue providing support and updates to my existing customers, this version will stay available in the App Store for now. I invite you to explore my latest features and designs in Luminos Pro and join me on this continuing adventure. See you in the stars! Clear skies, - John
Luminos Pro
Explore the cosmos with an all-in-one astronomy companion. Discover stars, planets, galaxies, and celestial events with extensive databases and interactive 3D models. Enhance your stargazing with augmented reality, virtual reality, and personalized viewing recommendations.
- Star gazing and 3D galaxy exploration
- Extensive databases of celestial objects
- On-device and custom recommendations
- Motion tracking with AR and VR modes
- 3D flight to satellites and spacecraft
- Weather forecasts for stargazing
- Telescope control and observation lists
Read full descriptionHide full description
Discover the Universe in High Definition Luminos Pro is a massive, all-in-one astronomy suite that brings the entire cosmos to your mobile device. Built around the largest offline databases available in any mobile astronomy app, Luminos Pro combines professional-grade data with stunning 3D graphics to deliver a fully customized stargazing experience—no internet connection required. Whether you are pointing your device at the sky using real-time AR motion tracking or flying across the galaxy in 3D, Luminos Pro makes the mysteries of the universe accessible to newcomers and seasoned astronomers alike. EXPLORE FOR FREE: * Massive Base Catalog: Over 5 million stars, deep-sky Messier objects, constellations, and meteor showers. * Our Solar System: Track all planets, moons, active comets, and bright satellites. * Time Travel: Explore 5,000 years of solar and lunar eclipses. * Immersive AR/VR: Seamless motion-tracking modes to identify objects overhead instantly. * Ecosystem Support: Includes an Apple Watch companion app and iOS Desktop Widgets. UNLOCK THE COSMOS (Subscription or All-Access Pass): Go beyond the backyard with deep-space navigation, professional catalogs, and advanced hardware integration. * 3D Space Flight: Leave Earth behind. Ride along with spacecraft, orbit exoplanets, or fly directly to distant stars and star clusters. * Professional Space Catalogs: Access over 250 million Gaia DR3 stars, the Washington Double Star Catalog, the GCVS, and every asteroid tracked by the Minor Planet Center. * Equipment & Telescope Control: Seamlessly connect to and control your telescope rig directly from the app. * Advanced Planning Tools: Get hyper-local weather forecasts, custom observation lists, and comprehensive nightly viewing recommendations on-demand. From casual stargazing to advanced astrophotography planning, Luminos Pro combines unmatched data depth with a beautiful, intuitive design. Unlock the universe today! End User License Agreement: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Luminos Pro at Free against Luminos's $19.99. Luminos's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (91% vs 70%). On rating, update cadence, 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
Luminos Pro is free to download; Luminos costs $19.99 up front. Luminos Pro sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Luminos asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for Luminos against 4.7 for Luminos Pro. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 1.1K and 251 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Luminos's written reviews are positive against 70% of Luminos Pro's.
Luminos ships an update every 2 weeks, Luminos Pro every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Luminos | Luminos Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.8 (1.1K ratings) — better | 4.7 (251 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 90.6% of reviews — better | 69.8% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1.1K — better | 251 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks — better | Every 4 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 930 MB | 1.8 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Wobbleworks LLC | Wobbleworks LLC |
Customer experience
Luminos
Luminos Pro
User reviews
Luminos
From 1.1K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🌟 Excellent astronomy app
- 🔭 Comprehensive features and information
- 🌌 Beautiful and intuitive interface
- 🔍 Helpful for both beginners and advanced users
- 🌍 Accurate tracking of celestial objects and satellites
Room to improve
- 🐛 Occasional crashes or freezes
- 🔧 Difficulty configuring for use with telescopes
- 🔒 Concerns about subscription model changes
- 🔍 Steep learning curve for some features
- 🔍 Lack of instructions or user guide
Luminos Pro
From 251 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- ✨ Comprehensive features
- 🌟 Beautifully implemented
- 🚀 Smooth and detailed map
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- ⭐ Excellent customer service
Room to improve
- 💸 Features locked behind subscription
- 📉 App devolving over time
- 🔒 Lifetime memberships feel like a trap
- 🔄 Satellite updates not working
- 💸 Paid features now subscription only
Bugs and requests
Luminos
Reported bugs
4 issues- Motion tracking and compass not working properly
- Saved telescope settings erased after updates
- Slow response times and location detection issues
- Inconsistent behavior when tapping on objects
Requested features
8 requests- Add historical constellations
- Integrate national borders when searching
- Include exoplanets information
- Improve motion tracking and orientation
- Add observation forecast based on weather conditions
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Provide automatic sky rotation to match the real-time view
- Enhance moon surface details and shadows
- Add ability to center on objects while in orbit mode
Luminos Pro
Reported bugs
5 issues- Satellite updates don't work
- Deep sky objects not showing
- App crashes when adding notes
- Old notes disappeared after update
- App keeps going black during exploration
Requested features
5 requests- Discount for lifetime license
- Ability to transfer FOV and camera rotation to NINA
- Ability to add pictures of viewed places and store them
- Store and recall settings
- Update for iOS 16 compatibility
In-app purchases
Luminos
No in-app purchases
Luminos Pro
- Monthly subscription1 Month trial$1.991 Month
- Quarterly subscription1 Month trial$3.993 Months
- Yearly subscription1 Month trial$12.991 Year
- Lifetime pass$24.99
- Lifetime pass$39.99
