Comparison

SkyPlanner vs AstroFITS

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

Head to head
About

SkyPlanner

This app helps astrophotographers plan their imaging sessions by providing personalized celestial target recommendations based on real-world horizons and sky conditions. It analyzes over 4,000 deep sky objects and planets, factoring in visibility, moon phase, and personal imaging history to suggest the best targets for any clear night.

Highlights
  • Personalized target recommendations
  • Real-world horizon mapping
  • Smart celestial object rankings
  • Yearly visibility charts
  • Integration time estimates
  • 4,000+ deep sky objects
  • Real-time sky conditions
Read full description

SkyPlanner: Your Personal Astrophotography Planner Stop guessing what's worth imaging tonight. SkyPlanner combines your real-world horizon with a massive celestial database to deliver personalized, ranked target recommendations, so every clear night counts. YOUR SKY. NOT SOMEONE ELSE'S. Most planning tools assume a perfect horizon. Your backyard doesn't have one. SkyPlanner uses your phone's camera to capture your actual horizon profile, including trees, rooftops, and hills, at each of your imaging locations. Every recommendation, every visibility window, every integration time estimate is calculated against your obstructions, not a textbook sphere. SMART RANKINGS. BETTER NIGHTS. SkyPlanner's ranking engine analyzes over 4,000 deep sky objects and surfaces the best targets for your specific date, location, and sky conditions. It factors in: Visibility window duration from your location - Moon phase and angular separation - Object altitude and atmospheric seeing - Seasonal peak imaging windows - Your personal imaging history New to an object? SkyPlanner flags targets you haven't imaged yet and surfaces ones you may never have considered. PLAN AHEAD. IMAGE SMARTER. Don't wait for clear skies to start planning. SkyPlanner's yearly visibility charts show you exactly when each object peaks from your location, so you can schedule sessions weeks in advance and never miss the optimal imaging window for a target again. Available integration time is calculated for any object, on any date, from any of your saved locations. EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE - 4,000+ deep sky objects with detailed data - Planets with apparent size, magnitude, and event tracking (oppositions, elongations) - Integrated real-time sky conditions (cloud cover, atmospheric transparency, and seeing) displayed across your entire observing night - Monthly planner with moon phase calendar and high-illumination warnings - Full search with Messier, NGC, IC, and common name support - Save favorites, log imaged objects, and add personal notes to any target SKYPLANNER PRO Take your sessions further with an optional Pro subscription: - AI-powered target descriptions tailored to your specific equipment - Personalized imaging and processing tips based on your camera, telescope, and skill level - Advanced ranking controls to tune recommendations to your preferences Whether you're imaging from a light-polluted suburb or a dark-sky site, SkyPlanner Pro gives you expert-level guidance without the guesswork. SkyPlanner is designed for astrophotographers of all experience levels, from first-light imagers to seasoned deep sky veterans. It’s a big universe. Make your plan. Privacy Policy: https://www.optickstudios.com/skyplanner-privacy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

AstroFITS

This app allows users to quickly open and view FITS files on iOS devices using GPU acceleration. It features automatic image stretching and supports various color formats and bit depths, making astronomical image analysis more accessible.

Highlights
  • Open FITS files quickly on iOS
  • GPU accelerated image processing
  • Automatic image stretching
  • Supports RGB and gray color
  • Handles multiple BITPIX formats
  • Save adjusted images to Photos
Features
Read full description

A simple app to open FITS file in iOS quickly using GPU. It has an auto-stretch feature. And works on FITS file with RGB or gray color. It handles BITPIX of 8,16,32,-32 and -64. It is designed and tested for Seetar FITS file. It takes about 2 seconds to open and automatically stretch a 50mb FITS file. Sample links are provided below. Enjoy! Use: 1. Download your FITS file to your phone File directory. 2. Tap Image icon on the first top left. 3. Select your FITS file. 4. It will auto stretch. 5. Adjust the image level. 6. Adjust the image curve. 7. Tap the second top icon to save image to Photo. If you encounter an issue, please email to ustrainsit74@gmail.com with your FITS file as attachment. Sample: Below are some FITS files for download. - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Li8f1QH1u1R6U8RKZZ0kwW9LZ4cHCaXz/view?usp=share_link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1MVuW1oa7qAjbfdl_iGUI-q7knE2ij67v/view?usp=share_link - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1TE70gdDK3XmLx9-iB43I-uh6INq8FCaO/view?usp=share_link Privacy policy and term of use (EULA) is at https://deepskycolor.blogspot.com/2018/12/privacy-policy-for-deep-sky-color-app.html

Screenshots

SkyPlanner4 screens
AstroFITS3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: AstroFITS at Free against SkyPlanner's $1.99. SkyPlanner's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 2.0). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

AstroFITS is free to download; SkyPlanner costs $1.99 up front. SkyPlanner sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month and AstroFITS sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SkyPlanner holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 1 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
SkyPlanner versus AstroFITS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSkyPlannerAstroFITS
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better2.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings2 — better1
Update frequency—Monthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size63 MB61 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpticks Studios LLCyong chong loh

Customer experience

SkyPlanner

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AstroFITS

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

SkyPlanner

Subscriptions2
  • SkyPlanner Pro$4.991 Month
  • SkyPlanner Pro$49.991 Year
1 purchases

AstroFITS

Subscriptions1
  • Yearly Subscription$0.991 Year

Questions

Is SkyPlanner free?
SkyPlanner costs $1.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is AstroFITS free?
AstroFITS is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SkyPlanner or AstroFITS?
SkyPlanner is rated higher. SkyPlanner averages 5.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while AstroFITS averages 2.0 from 1 ratings.
Do SkyPlanner or AstroFITS have ads?
Neither SkyPlanner nor AstroFITS shows ads.

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