# AstroAid vs ISS Detector

The clearest difference is price: ISS Detector at Free against AstroAid's $2.99. ISS Detector also leads on rating (4.6 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (729 vs 44). AstroAid's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On device support there is nothing between them.

ISS Detector is free to download; AstroAid costs $2.99 up front. ISS Detector sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. AstroAid asks for nothing beyond the download.

ISS Detector holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ISS Detector has 729 ratings behind it against 44, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 71% of AstroAid's written reviews are positive against 55% of ISS Detector's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

AstroAid ships an update fortnightly, ISS Detector monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | AstroAid | ISS Detector |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $2.99 | **Free** |
| Rating | [4.3 (44 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astroaid/id541448395/reviews) | **[4.6 (729 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iss-detector/id1198597805/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 44 | **729** |
| Positive reviews | **71.1% of reviews** | 55.4% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Fortnightly** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 125 MB | 33 MB |
| Requires iOS | **10.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iLanga, Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/541448398) | [Derk Vrijdag](https://appshunter.io/developer/1198597804) |

## What reviewers say

### AstroAid

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astroaid/id541448395)

Visualize what you'll see through your telescope with different eyepieces and optical aids. Plan your astrophotography by pairing cameras with telescopes to see what fits in the frame. Includes astronomical catalogs and equipment lists.

**Highlights:** Telescope/eyepiece/imager field of view simulation, Magnification and visual magnitude limit calculation, Built-in astronomical object catalogs (Messier, NGC, IC), Searchable object catalogs with downloadable images, Extensive equipment lists with custom entry support, iCloud synchronization for custom equipment

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent for planning and framing
- 👍 Useful for calculating image scale
- 👍 Good for visual and astrophotography planning
- 👍 Accurate and easy to use
- 👍 Great value for money

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App doesn't open/crashes
- 👎 Outdated equipment database
- 👎 Small image previews
- 👎 Images are often cropped
- 👎 Lacks planetary data

**Reported bugs**

- App doesn't open
- App crashes on opening (iOS 14.2)
- App crashes after update (12.1)
- Crashes when adding new scope
- Keeps quitting when making custom eyepieces

**Requested features**

- Update equipment database (cameras, scopes, sensors)
- Include planets in object database
- Allow image rotation
- Provide un-cropped images (optional)
- Add solar system images (Sun, Moon, planets)


### ISS Detector

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/iss-detector/id1198597805)

Easily track the International Space Station and other satellites. Receive timely alarms before passes and get weather condition checks for optimal viewing. Enhance functionality with optional in-app purchases to discover more celestial objects.

**Highlights:** ISS tracking and alerts, Weather condition checks, Alarm notifications, Track Starlink trains, Track Hubble telescope, Track amateur radio satellites

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Access | $0.99 | per month |
| Donation | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Access | $1.99 | per month |
| Premium Access | $2.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $5.99 | per year |
| Donation | $5.99 | per year |
| Premium Access | $11.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is AstroAid free?

AstroAid costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ISS Detector free?

ISS Detector is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, AstroAid or ISS Detector?

ISS Detector is rated higher. AstroAid averages 4.3 out of 5 from 44 ratings, while ISS Detector averages 4.6 from 729 ratings.

### Do AstroAid or ISS Detector have ads?

ISS Detector shows ads; AstroAid does not.

### Which is updated more often, AstroAid or ISS Detector?

AstroAid ships an update fortnightly, and ISS Detector monthly. Most recently, AstroAid was updated on November 1, 2026 and ISS Detector on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*