SolarApp vs Sunio
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SolarApp
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SolarApp is a Sun Path and Shadow Map app let you visualize the sun's movement and simulate real-time shadows anywhere on Earth. Whether you're planning photography sessions, gardening, positioning for solar panel or tracking the perfect golden hour, this app helps you plan every angle with precision. Explore sunlight in 3D and AR, understand how shadows shift through the day, and see the sun path via the phone camera. ___________________________ ▶ Why SolarApp for sunlight tool? ◉ 3D Shadow Map Simulation — Predict where shadows fall at any time of day, anywhere on Earth. See how the shadow moves across the day when using the timeline slider. ◉ Astronomical Color Bar — See the how golden hour, blue hour, sunrise, sunset, daylight and night time represented in a 24 hrs color bar. ◉ AR Sun and Sun Path Overlay — Align your camera with the real sun using augmented reality and watch the sun’s movement across the sky in real time. ◉ Push Notification — Turn on notifications to receive timely reminders for sunrise, sunset, golden hour etc on the phone. To be ready when the light is just right. ◉ Complete Astronomical Information — Comes with sunrise sunset chart with timeline slider to view sun position throughout the day. Completed with all astronomical events such as golden hour, blue hour, solar noon, day length and etc. ◉ Location and Date Change — Allows user to change the location to simulate the shadow map and sun path at different location. Allows user to change the date to see how sunlight changes throughout the seasons. ◉ Auto Detect Location & Compass Orientation — Detect your location and adjust the shadow map, sun position and sun path orientation while you move or tilt the phone. ◉ Timeline Slider — Move the slider on the 24 hrs color bar to simulate the sun position and shadow changes throughout the day. ◉ Sunrise Sunset Chart — Display sun azimuth, sun elevation with sunrise sunset marker on a 24 hrs chart. It is a perfect tool for photographers, architects, gardeners, solar panel installer and outdoor planner. ___________________________ We'd love to hear your feedback, email us at support@tapclay.com to ask any question or get help from our team.
Sunio
Visualize the sun's path and its impact on terrain in 3D. Plan photography, evaluate property sunlight, and optimize solar panel placement with accurate, animated lighting and shadow simulations.
- 3D animated sunlight and shadow simulation
- Augmented Reality sun path overlay
- Precise golden hour and twilight times
- Property sun exposure analysis
- Solar panel optimization tools
- Interactive time scrubbing
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Sunio transforms how you experience sunlight. Watch the sun's journey come alive with dynamic 3D lighting on real terrain—the only app that animates how light and shadows change throughout the day. Plan property purchases, capture golden hour photography, and optimize solar panels with professional-grade accuracy. SEE SUNLIGHT TRANSFORM YOUR WORLD Press play and watch landscapes transform with solar-accurate lighting. Sunio's 3D animation engine shows exactly how sunlight and shadows move across terrain throughout the day. Scrub through time and see building shadows shrink at noon, stretch at sunset, and disappear after dark. Perfect for evaluating property sun exposure before buying a home. See which rooms get morning light, where afternoon shadows fall, and how seasonal sunlight changes throughout the year. PERFECT FOR PHOTOGRAPHY Never miss golden hour again. Sunio calculates precise golden hour, blue hour, and twilight times for any location on Earth. See exactly where the sun will rise or set with AR overlays that show the sun's path through your camera view. The interactive timeline lets you scout locations remotely—scrub through an entire day in seconds to find perfect lighting conditions. MAKE SMARTER PROPERTY DECISIONS Buying a home or apartment? Sunio reveals crucial sunlight information that photos and tours miss. Check if your balcony gets afternoon sun. Verify if morning light reaches the bedroom. See how neighboring buildings cast shadows on your property. Real estate agents use Sunio to showcase property features—demonstrating southern exposure and natural light advantages. Garden planners identify full-sun zones for vegetables and shade areas for plants. PROFESSIONAL TOOLS Sunio delivers professional-grade sun tracking with NOAA algorithm accuracy. Architects use it for daylight analysis and shadow studies. Solar installers optimize panel placement by visualizing solar angles throughout the year. Get precise solar data: azimuth, elevation, sunrise/sunset times, solar noon, twilight phases, and day length. View sun paths as 3D arcs overlaid on satellite imagery or through AR on your camera. Building shadows appear realistically on 3D terrain—see how structures cast shade on courtyards, streets, and neighboring properties. POWERFUL FEATURES • Augmented Reality Sun Path - Point your camera at the sky and see the sun's arc • 3D Animated Lighting - Watch solar lighting transform landscapes • Time Scrubbing - Drag through 24 hours instantly • Multiple Map Modes - Standard, Satellite, and 3D Buildings • Location Search - Plan for any address worldwide with history • Date Selector - Plan months ahead for trips and events • Solar Calculator - Precise azimuth, elevation, and angle calculations • Golden Hour Times - Never miss perfect photography lighting • Compass Integration - Find cardinal directions and solar orientation • 12 Languages - Full support for global users PRIVACY-FIRST, BEAUTIFUL DESIGN Sunio respects your privacy. No ads ever. No tracking. No account required. No data collection. Your location data stays on your device. Built exclusively for iOS 18+ using the latest Apple technologies for smooth 60fps animations and stunning graphics. Designed to feel at home on your iPhone and iPad. Join photographers, homebuyers, architects, and solar professionals who trust Sunio for accurate, beautiful solar visualization. One-time purchase, no subscription required. Download Sunio and see the light.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sunio at none against SolarApp's 1. Sunio also leads on update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. SolarApp sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Sunio asks for nothing beyond the download.
SolarApp ships an update every 3 months, Sunio every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SolarApp | Sunio |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.5 (10 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 10 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Every 5 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 — better | 18 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 9 MB | 34 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tapclay | Daniel Slave |
In-app purchases
SolarApp
- Pro Pack$1.99
Sunio
No in-app purchases







