Aurora Compass vs Aurora Buddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Aurora alert notifications
- Geomagnetic activity tracking
- Aurora forecast map
- Real-time aurora probability
- Solar image animation
- Cloudiness forecast
- Darkness tool
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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
Aurora Buddy
This app provides hyper-local aurora borealis predictions and alerts based on solar wind data and local weather. It helps users find the best viewing conditions with cloud cover and light pollution maps, and offers long-range forecasts for planning.
- Hyper-local aurora probability
- Flight aurora viewing planner
- Smart background location alerts
- Interactive cloud cover maps
- Light pollution data overlay
- 5-day long-range forecasts
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Predicting the Aurora Borealis is a complex dance of solar winds, magnetic fields, and local weather. Aurora Buddy simplifies the science into a single, beautiful dashboard that tells you exactly when to head outside. Whether you are a seasoned chaser or a first-time dreamer, Aurora Buddy provides the precision you need to never miss the northern lights. Key Features: Hyper-Local Accuracy: We don't just give you a generic Kp-index. We analyze real-time solar wind speed, density, and Bz orientation to give you a probability for your exact location. Flight Planner: Put in the details for your next flight and see if you'll see the aurora from your flight! Smart Background Alerts: Traveling? Aurora Buddy tracks your location in the background to update your forecast. If the lights start dancing near your new location, you'll be the first to know. Cloud Maps: An aurora is no good behind a thick layer of clouds. Our interactive maps overlay live cloud cover and light pollution data so you can find the clearest "dark sky" window nearby. Solar Cycle Insights: Stay ahead of the curve with 5-day long-range forecasts, perfect for planning your next trip to the Arctic (or your own backyard).
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Aurora Buddy at none against Aurora Compass's 8. Aurora Buddy also leads on update cadence (every 10 days vs every 5 weeks) and review sentiment (100% vs 83%). On price, ratings volume, ads 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
Both are free to download. Aurora Compass sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Aurora Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.
Aurora Buddy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 8 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of Aurora Compass's written reviews are positive against 100% of Aurora Buddy's.
Aurora Compass ships an update every 5 weeks, Aurora Buddy every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 3, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Aurora Compass | Aurora Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (9 ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.6 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 67 MB | 68 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Otto Ranta-Ojala | Harsh Patel |
Customer experience
Aurora Compass
Aurora Buddy
In-app purchases
Aurora Compass
- Pastel Color Palette$1.99
- Black and White Palette$1.99
- Pink Color Palette$1.99
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- 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
Aurora Buddy
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Aurora Compass free?
Is Aurora Buddy free?
Which has better reviews, Aurora Compass or Aurora Buddy?
Do Aurora Compass or Aurora Buddy have ads?
Which is updated more often, Aurora Compass or Aurora Buddy?
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