Comparison

Magic Hour vs SunApp Augmented Reality

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

Head to head
About

Magic Hour

This app helps photographers and cinematographers find the optimal times for shooting around sunrise and sunset. It provides precise calculations for 'magic hour' based on your location and offers moon phase information. Optional in-app purchases unlock advanced features like location selection and calendar integration.

Highlights
  • Magic hour time calculation
  • Sunrise and sunset times
  • Moonrise and full moon alerts
  • Weather forecast integration
  • Customizable notifications
  • Location-based planning
Features
Read full description

Magic Hour (also called golden hour) is the time of day around sunrise and sunset when the light is great for photography and cinematography. It is typically when the sun is between 6 degrees below the horizon to 6 degrees above. This sunlight is evenly dispersed and helps you create great pictures. Magic Hour makes it easy for you to know when magic hour is coming and how much time you have left once it begins. The app takes your location along with the current day and calculates when magic hour will occur. If the weather forecast is available we give that to you as well. What other light is cool to photograph in? The moon, of course. And you want a full moon for that. Our Moon Watch section lets you know the next moonrise and when the next full moon will appear. In addition to this, you can set up notifications on and before magic hour begins. And with our in-app purchase you can select locations other than your current one, view future magic hour times, and create calendar events for them. Data that is used with the Magic Hour App (e.g. locations, notifications, calendar events, etc.) remain local to your device and are not transmitted nor remotely stored.

About

SunApp Augmented Reality

Visualize the sun's path and position throughout the year using augmented reality and 2D maps. Plan for optimal sunlight exposure for various activities and projects.

Highlights
  • Augmented Reality Live View
  • 2D Map View with address search
  • Sun path for any date
  • Sunrise and sunset times
  • Sunlight exposure calculation
  • Obstruction masking
  • Save AR view as picture/video
Features
Read full description

SunApp, shows the sun position at any time through Augmented Reality Live View and on 2D map view. "Facts that give you more hours in the sun." SunApp standard functions and key features - shows today's sun path in the sky - shows the sun path on the shortest day (Dec.21'th) and longest day (Jun. 21'th) of the year - shows the sunrise and sunset for today - choose language - get acces to PREMIUM functionality via In App Purchase Via in app purchase you can get access to valuable PREMIUM functionality in SunApp. PREMIUM FUNCTIONALITY INCLUDES: - shows the sun path on the sky on any date throughout the year - shows the sunrise and sunset for any day Augmented Reality view: - point at the screen and SunApp will show the date and time, the sun will be in that position - shows how much sun light, in hours or sun energy (kWh/m2), you can get in your position during the year - mask out obstructions to the sun and find out how many sun hours or sun energy (kWh/m2) that will be hidden behind the obstruction during the year - Save AR view as picture or video recording for later use. - Analemma, shows the sun's path at a certain time of day all year round 2D map view: - Search by address or place to view the sun's position at any time SunApp is perfect for - Real Estate Buyers – for finding the sun exposure of properties you are considering - Gardeners – designing gardens and for finding optimal planting locations for current and seasonal solar exposure - Architects – for getting a feel for the spatial variability of the solar angle throughout the year - Photographers – planning for optimal light conditions - Campers – to find shadowed areas, even when sun is hidden by clouds or walls - Sun lovers – find the perfect sunbed location - Solar Industry (PV) Professionals – optimizing solar panel installation - Awning lit installation - Solar site surveys Subscription terms: SunApp offers an auto-renewing monthly subscription or an auto-renewing yearly subscription to provide you with unlimited access to the SunApp Premium features while you maintain an active subscription. Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase. The subscription automatically renews unless it is cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. Notes * The compass accuracy depends on having an undistorted magnetic field around your device. If you use it close to metallic objects or electrical equipment, directional accuracy may be impaired. This can happen if you keep your device in a metallic casing. It can however be recalibrated quite easily.

Screenshots

Magic Hour4 screens
SunApp Augmented Reality4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Magic Hour at 77% against SunApp Augmented Reality's 0%. Magic Hour also leads on rating (4.8 vs 3.0) and ratings volume (5.2K vs 4). SunApp Augmented Reality's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and iOS requirement (12.1 vs 14.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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. Magic Hour sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and SunApp Augmented Reality sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.49 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Magic Hour holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Magic Hour has 5.2K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 77% of Magic Hour's written reviews are positive against 0% of SunApp Augmented Reality's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Magic Hour ships an update every 2 months, SunApp Augmented Reality every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Magic Hour versus SunApp Augmented Reality: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMagic HourSunApp Augmented Reality
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (5.2K ratings) — better3.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews76.8% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings5.2K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.012.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLinda ByrketCasafox Development

Customer experience

Magic Hour

All ratings5,115 ratings
Positive97.0%
Neutral1.3%
Negative1.7%
Written reviews164 reviews
Positive76.8%
Neutral5.5%
Negative17.7%

SunApp Augmented Reality

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

Bugs and requests

Magic Hour

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • 🐛 Time way off
  • 🐛 Can't change location
  • 🐛 Crashes all the time
  • 🐛 Can't see future dates anymore
  • 🐛 Widget doesn't update
Show 3 more
  • 🐛 Keeps crashing
  • 🐛 Can't determine magic hour at another location
  • 🐛 App crashes

Requested features

7 requests
  • 💡 Moonrise notification
  • 💡 Notification when magic hour ends
  • 💡 Blue hour option
  • 💡 Allow users to set their own background photo
  • 💡 Ability to plan shoots in different locations
Show 2 more
  • 💡 Companion app for planning sunsets weeks in advance
  • 💡 Custom alert tones

SunApp Augmented Reality

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

1 purchases

Magic Hour

One-time1
  • Add Locations Ability$0.99
3 purchases

SunApp Augmented Reality

Subscriptions2
  • SunApp Premium (monthly)$2.491 Month
  • SunApp Premium (Yearly)$10.491 Year
One-time1
  • SunApp Premium (Lifetime)$23.99

Questions

Is Magic Hour free?
Magic Hour is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is SunApp Augmented Reality free?
SunApp Augmented Reality is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Magic Hour or SunApp Augmented Reality?
Magic Hour is rated higher. Magic Hour averages 4.8 out of 5 from 5.2K ratings, while SunApp Augmented Reality averages 3.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Magic Hour or SunApp Augmented Reality have ads?
Neither Magic Hour nor SunApp Augmented Reality shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Magic Hour or SunApp Augmented Reality?
Magic Hour ships an update every 2 months, and SunApp Augmented Reality every 3 weeks. Most recently, Magic Hour was updated on September 23, 2026 and SunApp Augmented Reality on June 1, 2026.

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