# Dark Sky Meter vs Astro Locator

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.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | Dark Sky Meter | Astro Locator |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **$1.99** | $3.99 |
| Rating | [3.8 (6 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark-sky-meter/id602989060/reviews) | **[4.8 (68 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-locator/id927483920/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 6 | **68** |
| Positive reviews | 40.4% of reviews | **77.3% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 4 MB | 6 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.6** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [DDQ](https://appshunter.io/developer/418328467) | [Progress Concepts Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/788761727) |

## What reviewers say

### Dark Sky Meter

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dark-sky-meter/id602989060)

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.

**Highlights:** Measures sky brightness, Uses device camera, Optional data sharing, Contributes to scientific research

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Astro Locator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/astro-locator/id927483920)

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.

**Highlights:** Quick polar alignment, Locate Polaris/Sigma Octantis, Display elevation, latitude, longitude, Show moon phase, Sunrise/sunset times, Astro twilight times, Today Extension widget

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Dark Sky Meter free?

Dark Sky Meter costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Astro Locator free?

Astro Locator costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Dark Sky Meter or Astro Locator?

Astro Locator is rated higher. Dark Sky Meter averages 3.8 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Astro Locator averages 4.8 from 68 ratings.

### Do Dark Sky Meter or Astro Locator have ads?

Neither Dark Sky Meter nor Astro Locator shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Dark Sky Meter or Astro Locator?

Dark Sky Meter ships an update every 3 months, and Astro Locator every 3 months. Most recently, Dark Sky Meter was updated on October 26, 2026 and Astro Locator on October 26, 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.*