Dark Sky Meter vs SkyAtlas
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Dark Sky Meter
This application utilizes your device's camera to measure the brightness of the night sky. The collected data can be optionally shared with scientific researchers worldwide.
- Measures sky brightness
- Uses device camera
- Optional data sharing
- Contributes to scientific research
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The Dark Sky Meter app measures the sky brightness using the camera and shares it (optionally) with scientists around the globe.
SkyAtlas
Explore the night sky with a digital atlas and control your telescope mount. Plan astrophotography compositions with simulated camera fields of view and track celestial objects in real-time. Features one-click GoTo and mode switching for an enhanced stargazing experience.
- Digital sky atlas exploration
- Telescope mount control (ZWO ASI)
- Simulated camera field of view
- Real-time telescope pointing display
- One-click GoTo functionality
- Object tracking
- EQ and AltAz mode switching
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SkyAtlas is the control app for ZWO AM series mounts, with Bluetooth support for ZWO EAF. Use your phone to control the mount and focuser with ease. The built-in star map includes thousands of stars and deep-sky objects. "Best Tonight" recommends the best targets in your current sky. Tap GoTo, and the mount automatically tracks your chosen object. Preview your telescope's aim and frame shots right on your screen—what you see is where it points. Switch between equatorial and alt-az modes with one tap. SkyAtlas, explore the night sky, simplified.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SkyAtlas at Free against Dark Sky Meter's $1.99. SkyAtlas also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 15.6). Dark Sky Meter's advantage is rating (3.8 vs 2.4). On review sentiment, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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
SkyAtlas is free to download; Dark Sky Meter costs $1.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Dark Sky Meter holds the better App Store score, 3.8 against 2.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 17 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 40% and 40% positive.
Dark Sky Meter ships an update every 3 months, SkyAtlas monthly. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Dark Sky Meter | SkyAtlas |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.8 (6 ratings) — better | 2.4 (17 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 40.4% of reviews — better | 40.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 17 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 11.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 911 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | DDQ | SuZhou ZWO Co., Ltd |
Customer experience
Dark Sky Meter
SkyAtlas
In-app purchases
Dark Sky Meter
No in-app purchases
SkyAtlas
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Dark Sky Meter free?
Is SkyAtlas free?
Which has better reviews, Dark Sky Meter or SkyAtlas?
Do Dark Sky Meter or SkyAtlas have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dark Sky Meter or SkyAtlas?
Other comparisons
