Comparison

Aurora Compass vs Aurora Watch Global

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

Head to head
About

Aurora Compass

This app provides aurora forecasts and alerts, helping users find the best conditions to see the northern or southern lights. It offers detailed space weather data, real-time geomagnetic activity, and a cloudiness filter for accurate predictions.

Highlights
  • Aurora alert notifications
  • Geomagnetic activity tracking
  • Aurora forecast map
  • Real-time aurora probability
  • Solar image animation
  • Cloudiness forecast
  • Darkness tool
Features
Read full description

Aurora Compass is a free aurora and space weather forecast app with no ads or paywalls. With it, you'll get all the data you need to catch the northern or southern lights in a layout that’s simple for beginners, yet detailed for experienced aurora chasers. The main features include: • Aurora alert notifications with cloudiness filter • Near real-time geomagnetic activity from over 110 magnetometers • Aurora forecast map with observation sharing tool • Current and forecasted aurora probability in your location • Solar image animation with x-ray chart and solar regions • WSA-Enlil solar wind forecast animation • Darkness tool to see when it'll be dark • Moon rise, set and phase information • Cloudiness forecast • Solar wind charts • Kp forecasts • Color theme for people with red-green colorblindness

About

Aurora Watch Global

Track auroras worldwide with forecasts, real-time space weather, and local conditions. Plan your viewing or learn about celestial events with interactive maps and detailed data.

Highlights
  • Global aurora forecasts and interactive maps
  • Real-time KP index and space weather data
  • Solar imagery and flare probabilities
  • Local weather conditions and forecasts
  • Offline dashboard with cached data
  • Educational guides on auroras and space weather
Features
Read full description

Track the Northern and Southern Lights in real time - wherever you are. AuroraWatch is a free, ad-free app that brings together NOAA's OVATION aurora model, real-time KP index readings, live solar wind data from NOAA SWPC, and your local cloud cover into one clear view. No clutter, no ads, no guesswork - just the data you need to know when the sky might put on a show. WHY AURORAWATCH Most aurora apps only cover the Northern Hemisphere. AuroraWatch tracks both the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis, so whether you're chasing lights in Norway, Alaska, Tasmania, or New Zealand, you get the same real-time data. FREE FOR EVERYONE • Interactive aurora activity map using NOAA's OVATION model • Real-time KP index • Live solar wind data from NOAA SWPC (density, speed, Bz) • Local cloud cover and moon illumination, so you know if you'll actually see anything • Substorm Monitor (Beta) - live USGS magnetometer readings for aurora burst timing • Solar flare probabilities • Live SDO solar imagery • Ask Siri about tonight's aurora chances • Customizable push notifications GO PRO Upgrade for deeper data and always-on visibility: • AI summaries on the KP and Solar Wind screens - written privately on your iPhone with Apple Intelligence where available • Live Activity on the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island - KP, solar wind, Bz, and cloud cover at a glance • Home Screen widgets for KP, cloud cover, solar wind, and a short forecast • Apple Watch dashboard with KP, weather, upcoming changes, and solar wind • Aurora Now alerts when aurora may be visible in your area • Minute-resolution KP charts, a 45-day Ap outlook, GOES X-ray history, and a full solar event log • 48-hour solar wind history with interactive charts and date scrubbing • Three premium themes - Northern Lights, Eclipse, and Storm Pro is available as a weekly, monthly, or annual auto-renewing subscription. Cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. BUILT ON REAL DATA AuroraWatch pulls directly from NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center, NASA's Solar Dynamics Observatory, and USGS magnetometers - the same sources space weather scientists use - and refreshes automatically so you're always looking at current conditions, not stale forecasts. Download AuroraWatch and never miss a night the sky lights up. SUBSCRIPTION DETAILS - AuroraWatch Pro Pricing: AuroraWatch Pro (Weekly): $2.99/week (or your local price) AuroraWatch Pro (Monthly) $4.99/month (or your local price) AuroraWatch Pro (Yearly) $29.99/year (or your local price) Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to Settings > [your name] > Subscriptions. Privacy Policy: https://aurorawatch.app/privacy Terms of Use (Apple): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms of Use: (AuroraWatch): https://aurorawatch.app/terms/

Screenshots

Aurora Compass4 screens
Aurora Watch Global4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Aurora Watch Global at 5.0 against Aurora Compass's 4.8. Aurora Compass's advantage is ratings volume (9 vs 1). On price, update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Aurora Compass sells 8 one-off in-app purchases and Aurora Watch Global sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Aurora Watch Global holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aurora Compass has 9 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aurora Compass ships an update every 5 weeks, Aurora Watch Global every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Aurora Compass versus Aurora Watch Global: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAurora CompassAurora Watch Global
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (9 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS16.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size67 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOtto Ranta-OjalaGILBY SHEPHERD

Customer experience

Aurora Compass

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral11.1%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

Aurora Watch Global

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

Aurora Compass

One-time8
  • Pastel Color Palette$1.99
  • Black and White Palette$1.99
  • Pink Color Palette$1.99
Show 5 more
  • Purple Color Palette$1.99
  • IBM Color Palette$1.99
  • Mint Color Palette$4.99
  • Gold Color Palette$9.99
  • Diamond Color Palette$29.99
3 purchases

Aurora Watch Global

Subscriptions3
  • Pro Weekly$2.997 Days
  • Pro Monthly$4.991 Month
  • Pro Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is Aurora Compass free?
Aurora Compass is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aurora Watch Global free?
Aurora Watch Global is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aurora Compass or Aurora Watch Global?
Aurora Watch Global is rated higher. Aurora Compass averages 4.8 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Aurora Watch Global averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Aurora Compass or Aurora Watch Global have ads?
Neither Aurora Compass nor Aurora Watch Global shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aurora Compass or Aurora Watch Global?
Aurora Compass ships an update every 5 weeks, and Aurora Watch Global every 6 weeks. Most recently, Aurora Compass was updated on October 15, 2026 and Aurora Watch Global on October 14, 2026.

Other comparisons