Dark Sky Meter vs Astro Locator
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.
Astro Locator
This app assists astronomers in quickly and easily achieving polar alignment for their telescopes. It helps locate key stars like Polaris or Sigma Octantis, displaying essential astronomical data for setup and viewing. Ideal for mobile astronomers who frequently set up and pack down their equipment.
- Quick polar alignment
- Locate Polaris/Sigma Octantis
- Display elevation, latitude, longitude
- Show moon phase
- Sunrise/sunset times
- Astro twilight times
- Today Extension widget
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Spend less time setting up and more time observing. Astro Locator helps you quickly and accurately polar align your equatorial mount by showing the precise position of Polaris or Sigma Octantis. Designed for both visual astronomy and astrophotography, it makes polar alignment fast, simple and reliable wherever you observe. Whether you’re setting up in your garden or under dark skies, Astro Locator provides all the information you need on a single, easy-to-read screen. Features include: • Accurate Polaris and Sigma Octantis positioning • Compass direction and correct elevation for your location • Latitude, longitude and altitude • UTC and local time • Sunrise and sunset times • Astronomical twilight start and end times • Current moon phase • Clean, uncluttered interface designed for fast setup Astro Locator is ideal for astronomers who assemble and pack away their equipment for each observing session, helping you spend less time setting up and more time enjoying the night sky. Trusted by amateur astronomers since 2014.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: Astro Locator at 4.8 against Dark Sky Meter's 3.8. Astro Locator also leads on review sentiment (77% vs 40%) and ratings volume (68 vs 6). Dark Sky Meter's advantage is price ($1.99 vs $3.99) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.0). On update cadence, 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
Dark Sky Meter costs $1.99 and Astro Locator $3.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Astro Locator holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 3.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Astro Locator has 68 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 40% of Dark Sky Meter's written reviews are positive against 77% of Astro Locator's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.
| Parameter | Dark Sky Meter | Astro Locator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 — better | $3.99 |
| Rating | 3.8 (6 ratings) | 4.8 (68 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 40.4% of reviews | 77.3% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 | 68 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 6 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | DDQ | Progress Concepts Limited |
Customer experience
Dark Sky Meter
Astro Locator
In-app purchases
Dark Sky Meter
No in-app purchases
Astro Locator
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Dark Sky Meter free?
Is Astro Locator free?
Which has better reviews, Dark Sky Meter or Astro Locator?
Do Dark Sky Meter or Astro Locator have ads?
Which is updated more often, Dark Sky Meter or Astro Locator?
Other comparisons
