Comparison

PicoStar vs QUARCS

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

Head to head

PicoStar

A Simple Collimation Tool

★ 3.01 ratingsView app →

About

PicoStar

Read full description

Calibrate any telescope using true-to-scale planetary images.

About

QUARCS

This open-source software kit enables remote astrophotography capture via Wi-Fi and computer. It offers comprehensive control over telescope mounts, cameras, autoguiding, and electric focusers, integrating with Stellarium for sky mapping.

Highlights

Remote capture via Wi-Fi
Computer remote capture via LAN
Mount control
Camera control
Autoguiding
Electric focuser control
Stellarium skymap integration

Features

Read full description

Q.U.A.R.C.S (QHYCCD Universal Astrophotographic Remote Capture System) is an open-source software kit that supports the full function of mobile remote capture via WIFI and computer remote capture via LAN. It includes the mount control, camera control, autoguiding, electric focuser control, and Stellarium skymap function.

Screenshots

PicoStar3 screens

QUARCS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: QUARCS at none against PicoStar's 1. QUARCS also leads on iOS requirement (14.0 vs 16.0). On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. PicoStar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. QUARCS asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PicoStar ships an update every 7 months, QUARCS every 6 months. The most recent releases landed on October 2, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level

PicoStar versus QUARCS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameter	PicoStar	QUARCS
Price	Free	Free
Rating	—	3.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews	—	0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings	—	1 — better
Update frequency	Every 7 months	Every 6 months — better
Ads	No	No
In-app purchases	Yes	No — better
Monetization	—	Free
Devices	iPhone, iPad	iPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS	16.0	14.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size	16 MB	30 MB
Age rating	4+	4+
Developer	Ryan Rudes	Light Speed Vision(Beijing) Co., Ltd

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PicoStar

One-time1

Planetary Expansion Pack$9.99

None

QUARCS

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is PicoStar free?

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

Is QUARCS free?

QUARCS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

Do PicoStar or QUARCS have ads?

Neither PicoStar nor QUARCS shows ads.

Which is updated more often, PicoStar or QUARCS?

PicoStar ships an update every 7 months, and QUARCS every 6 months. Most recently, PicoStar was updated on October 2, 2026 and QUARCS on October 6, 2026.