Comparison

Lightning Camera vs Astro Stacker

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

Head to head
About

Lightning Camera

This app automatically captures photos of lightning strikes as they happen. Simply open the application and let it detect and photograph lightning for you. It's designed for easy use by anyone interested in weather phenomena.

Highlights
  • Auto lightning detection
  • Automatic photo capture
  • Easy to use interface
  • No photography skills required
  • Weather fan tool
Features
Read full description

ThunderCatch detects lightning and automatically takes photos when it strikes. Whether you're a weather fan or just want to capture lightning, open the app and let ThunderCatch do the rest. - Auto Lightning Detection: The app snaps a photo as soon as lightning is detected. - Easy to Use: Just tap to start, and ThunderCatch handles everything. - Simple Interface for Everyone: No photography skills needed, anyone can use it. Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Astro Stacker

Transform your smartphone into a powerful astrophotography tool. This app uses advanced algorithms to combine multiple night sky photos, reducing noise and revealing hidden celestial details for professional-quality results.

Highlights
  • Advanced stacking algorithms (Average, Median, Maximum, Minimum)
  • Intelligent and manual image alignment
  • Real-time processing and progress tracking
  • On-device processing, no cloud upload
  • Export high-resolution stacked images
  • Detailed processing insights and logs
Features
Read full description

ASTRO STACKER - Professional Image Stacking for Astrophotography Turn your smartphone into a powerful astrophotography tool! Astro Stacker uses advanced image stacking algorithms to combine multiple photos of the night sky, dramatically reducing noise and revealing celestial details invisible to the naked eye. PERFECT FOR: - Amateur astronomers capturing the Milky Way - Astrophotography enthusiasts shooting deep space objects - Stargazers photographing planets and constellations - Night sky photographers wanting professional results KEY FEATURES: ADVANCED STACKING ALGORITHMS - Average Stacking - Reduce noise by averaging pixel values - Median Stacking - Remove satellites and airplane trails automatically - Maximum Stacking - Capture the brightest stars and details - Minimum Stacking - Eliminate hot pixels and artifacts INTELLIGENT ALIGNMENT - Feature Detection - Automatically align stars across images - Center of Mass - Perfect for tracking celestial objects - Manual alignment options for precise control - Handles slight camera movement between shots REAL-TIME PROCESSING - Live progress tracking with detailed logs - See exactly what's happening during processing - Parallel processing for maximum speed - Works entirely on-device - no cloud upload needed PROFESSIONAL RESULTS - Export high-resolution stacked images - Preserve original image quality - Compare before/after results - Share directly to social media or save to Photos PROCESSING INSIGHTS - View detailed processing logs - Track alignment accuracy - Monitor stacking progress in real-time - Understand how each image contributes HOW IT WORKS: 1. Take 5-15 photos of the same night sky scene (use a tripod for best results) 2. Import images from your photo library 3. Select your stacking method and alignment technique 4. Watch as Astro Stacker combines your images 5. Export your noise-free, detail-rich astrophoto TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS: - Use a tripod or stable surface - Take 8-15 images of the same scene - Keep exposure settings consistent - Focus on stars or your main subject - Shoot in RAW format if possible NO SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED Pay once, stack unlimited images forever. All processing happens on your device - your photos never leave your phone. PRIVACY FIRST - No account required - No data collection - No cloud processing - Complete offline functionality Whether you're capturing the Andromeda Galaxy, the Orion Nebula, or simply want cleaner Milky Way shots, Astro Stacker gives you professional astrophotography results right on your iPhone. Download now and reveal the hidden universe in your night sky photos! Privacy Policy: https://www.spacesss.com/apps/privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Terms & Conditions: https://www.spacesss.com/apps/terms-and-conditions

Screenshots

Lightning Camera4 screens
Astro Stacker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Lightning Camera at 50% against Astro Stacker's 0%. Lightning Camera also leads on rating (4.3 vs 1.0) and ratings volume (38 vs 4). Astro Stacker's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). 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. Lightning Camera sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days and Astro Stacker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Lightning Camera holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightning Camera has 38 ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Lightning Camera's written reviews are positive against 0% of Astro Stacker's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lightning Camera ships an update every 2 weeks, Astro Stacker fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Lightning Camera versus Astro Stacker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLightning CameraAstro Stacker
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (38 ratings) — better1.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings38 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSezer IltekinAhmed Al-Mahmud

Customer experience

Lightning Camera

All ratings38 ratings
Positive76.3%
Neutral7.9%
Negative15.8%
Written reviews18 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral11.1%
Negative38.9%

Astro Stacker

All ratings3 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral22.2%
Negative77.8%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Lightning Camera

Subscriptions3
  • ThunderCatch PRO Weekly$4.997 Days
  • ThunderCatch PRO Annual$12.991 Year
  • ThunderCatch PRO Yearly$12.991 Year
One-time2
  • ThunderCatch PRO Lifetime DC$19.99
  • ThunderCatch Pro Lifetime$49.99
3 purchases

Astro Stacker

Subscriptions2
  • AstroStacker app$12.991 Month
  • AstroStacker app$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • AstroStacker app$219.00

Questions

Is Lightning Camera free?
Lightning Camera is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Astro Stacker free?
Astro Stacker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Lightning Camera or Astro Stacker?
Lightning Camera is rated higher. Lightning Camera averages 4.3 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Astro Stacker averages 1.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Lightning Camera or Astro Stacker have ads?
Neither Lightning Camera nor Astro Stacker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lightning Camera or Astro Stacker?
Lightning Camera ships an update every 2 weeks, and Astro Stacker fortnightly. Most recently, Lightning Camera was updated on September 23, 2026 and Astro Stacker on September 9, 2026.

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