Comparison

Aurora Notifier vs Northern Lights Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Aurora Notifier

Receive alerts for potential aurora sightings with configurable thresholds for Kp-index and solar wind parameters. See user-submitted photos and real-time observation locations on a 3D globe. A premium version offers advanced technical data and hidden features.

Highlights
  • Aurora sighting notifications
  • Configurable alert thresholds
  • User-submitted aurora photos
  • Real-time observation map
  • Kp-index and solar wind data
  • Premium version with advanced features
Features
Read full description

Aurora notification app with observation reports. Finally available for iOS. This aurora notification app shows notifications when it may be possible to see the northern lights (aurora borealis / australis)! It provides configurable thresholds for local aurora probability, Kp-index (Hp30), solar wind parameters (Bz/Bt) and Kp-level forecast for the evening. It also allows you to be alerted when other app users nearby have seen the aurora light display. For the alert feature to work, other app users register aurora reports when they are successful hunting and get to see the aurora light display. This has proven to be quite successful. Many of the app users also upload pictures of northern lights when they see them, and in this app you can see these pictures. You can also see dots on a 3d-globe animation showing where people have just observed the light show. There are users in the US, Canada, Europe, Australia and New Zealand who regularly report their observations and upload pictures. Although the chances are greater if you live in Alaska, northern Canada, Norway, Sweden, Finland, the southern tip of New Zealand etc, there are also regular opportunities in places like Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, Montana, Michigan, Chicago, New York, Scotland, Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Baltics etc. The premium version which can be bought within the app itself offers some more technical information and graphs of Kp-index predictions, cloud cover and solar wind parameters - and some hidden features. The app has an associated X account (@aurora_notifier - https://x.com/aurora_notifier) and an Instagram account (@auroranotifierapp - https://www.instagram.com/auroranotifierapp). Consider following those.

About

Northern Lights Tracker

This app provides real-time predictions and forecasts for the aurora borealis using NOAA space weather data. It helps users find the best viewing locations and times, offering smart alerts and interactive maps for an optimal aurora hunting experience.

Highlights
  • Real-time aurora probability
  • NOAA-powered KP index
  • Interactive global aurora maps
  • Best viewing location recommendations
  • Space weather data monitoring
  • Smart aurora alerts
  • Apple Watch integration
Features
Read full description

Never Miss the Northern Lights Again! Northern Lights Tracker is the most advanced and reliable Northern Lights prediction app for travelers, photographers, and aurora enthusiasts. Built with real-time NOAA space weather data, magnetic latitude calculations, and interactive maps, it helps you know exactly when and where the aurora borealis will appear. Whether you are planning a trip to Tromsø in Norway, chasing auroras in Fairbanks Alaska, watching the skies in Iceland, or exploring Rovaniemi Finland and Yellowknife Canada, this app ensures you are always prepared to experience the magic of the northern lights. Unlike basic aurora apps, Northern Lights Tracker combines professional accuracy with an intuitive design. Check aurora probability at your location, see the best viewing spots worldwide, monitor the KP index in real time, and explore global activity maps. You also get solar wind speed, magnetic field strength, and personalized viewing tips. With Apple Watch support and smart notifications, you can chase the aurora without missing the right moment. Key Features • Real-time aurora probability for your exact location • NOAA-powered KP index with scientific accuracy • Interactive maps showing global aurora activity • Best viewing locations like Tromsø, Rovaniemi, Reykjavik, Fairbanks, Yellowknife, and Kiruna • Location-based visibility recommendations • Space weather data including solar wind and magnetic field strength • Smart alerts for high KP index and daily summaries • Apple Watch integration for quick aurora checks • Global coverage with magnetic latitude adjustments Apple Watch Support Stay connected outdoors with seamless Apple Watch integration. Check KP index, view forecasts, and get instant alerts directly on your wrist — perfect for aurora hunters in cold conditions. Intelligent Notifications Northern Lights Tracker only notifies you when conditions are right. Get smart alerts based on real-time KP activity, daylight conditions, and your position. Receive daily summaries, high KP warnings, and viewing alerts that help you catch the aurora at the perfect time. Aurora AI Discover Aurora AI, your smart assistant powered by advanced artificial intelligence. Ask questions, get personalized insights, and receive real-time aurora predictions — all in natural language. Plan your perfect viewing experience with AI precision. Premium Features Upgrade to Northern Lights Tracker Pro and unlock: • Unlimited location searches and map probability checks • Extended list of aurora hot-spots across Iceland, Alaska, Norway, Canada, Finland, and Sweden • Real-time alerts with no limits • Full Apple Watch functionality • Priority customer support Why Choose Northern Lights Tracker? Powered by data from the NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center and other trusted sources, it delivers the most accurate aurora forecasts available. Monitor solar wind, magnetic fields, and geomagnetic storms in real time and plan your next adventure with confidence — from Iceland to Alaska, from Tromsø to Rovaniemi. Perfect For • Photographers chasing the best Northern Lights shots • Travelers planning aurora trips across the Arctic • Astronomy lovers following space weather • Anyone dreaming of seeing the aurora borealis live Northern Lights Tracker combines scientific precision, smart design, and global coverage to make aurora hunting simple and rewarding. From Alaska to Iceland, from Tromsø to Rovaniemi, your perfect aurora moment is just a forecast away. Download Northern Lights Tracker today and experience the most breathtaking light show on Earth. Privacy: https://sites.google.com/view/aurora-forecast-tracker/main Terms: https://sites.google.com/view/aurora-forecast-tracker-terms/main

Screenshots

Aurora Notifier3 screens
Northern Lights Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

Aurora Notifier and Northern Lights Tracker both sit at 4.5 stars, but that hides the real split: 61% of Northern Lights Tracker's written reviews are positive against 0% of Aurora Notifier's. Northern Lights Tracker also leads on ratings volume (185 vs 6) and device support (4 vs 2). Aurora Notifier's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 4 weeks). On price, rating, 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 Notifier sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and Northern Lights Tracker sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Aurora Notifier against 4.6 for Northern Lights Tracker. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Northern Lights Tracker has 185 ratings behind it against 6, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 0% of Aurora Notifier's written reviews are positive against 61% of Northern Lights Tracker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aurora Notifier ships an update every 5 days, Northern Lights Tracker every 4 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Aurora Notifier versus Northern Lights Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAurora NotifierNorthern Lights Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (6 ratings)4.6 (185 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews61.2% of reviews — better
Number of ratings6185 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 4 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size20 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNaturfakta ASMehmet Ali Demir

Customer experience

Aurora Notifier

All ratings6 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral100.0%
Negative0.0%

Northern Lights Tracker

All ratings185 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.8%
Negative5.4%
Written reviews49 reviews
Positive61.2%
Neutral8.2%
Negative30.6%

Bugs and requests

Aurora Notifier

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Northern Lights Tracker

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes out of nowhere
  • Phone part of app shows 0%
  • Enable Notifications continuously shuts itself OFF
  • Data seems outdated and freezes
  • App crashes in Norway

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add widgets
  • Correlate probability to times
  • Show probability over time (next 24 hours)
  • Allow setting threshold for 'good chance' notifications
  • Show readings for around the world

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Aurora Notifier

One-time2
  • Premium upgrade$2.99
  • Premium$3.99
4 purchases

Northern Lights Tracker

Subscriptions3
  • week$3.997 Days
  • month3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • year$34.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Premium$49.99

Questions

Is Aurora Notifier free?
Aurora Notifier is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Northern Lights Tracker free?
Northern Lights Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aurora Notifier or Northern Lights Tracker?
Northern Lights Tracker is rated higher. Aurora Notifier averages 4.5 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while Northern Lights Tracker averages 4.6 from 185 ratings.
Do Aurora Notifier or Northern Lights Tracker have ads?
Neither Aurora Notifier nor Northern Lights Tracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aurora Notifier or Northern Lights Tracker?
Aurora Notifier ships an update every 5 days, and Northern Lights Tracker every 4 weeks. Most recently, Aurora Notifier was updated on September 13, 2026 and Northern Lights Tracker on September 23, 2026.

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