# PicoStar vs QUARCS

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.

Both are free to download. PicoStar sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. QUARCS asks for nothing beyond the download.

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.

## The numbers

| Metric | PicoStar | QUARCS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[3.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quarcs/id6479396546/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **1** |
| Positive reviews | — | 0.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | **Every 6 months** |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Size | 16 MB | 30 MB |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | **14.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Ryan Rudes](https://appshunter.io/developer/1698870132) | [Light Speed Vision(Beijing) Co., Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1511662353) |

## What reviewers say

### PicoStar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/picostar/id6444901007)

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Planetary Expansion Pack | $9.99 | one-time |


### QUARCS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quarcs/id6479396546)

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:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked 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.

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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.*