Aurora Forecast vs Aurora Buddy
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Aurora Forecast
Track the Northern Lights with real-time forecasts and smart alerts. Get detailed information on aurora activity, KP index, and visibility for your location, helping you plan the perfect viewing experience.
- Real-time aurora forecasts
- Location-based predictions
- KP index and cloud cover data
- Customizable aurora alerts
- Global aurora map
- Aurora viewing tips
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Spot Northern Lights easily with Aurora Forecast App. This app gives you everything you need to know. When, where, and how likely you are to see the aurora, wherever you are in the world. Whether you’re chasing the aurora in Iceland, hoping for a rare display in your hometown, or planning a photography trip to the Arctic Circle, this app keeps you fully prepared with accurate, real-time forecasts and smart alerts. - Real-time aurora forecasts tailored to your location - Live KP index, cloud cover, and visibility data - Solar wind stats ands more - Customizable alerts when aurora activity is expected near you - Forecasts for the future - Global aurora map - Aurora viewing tips and best current locations - Simple, sleek design Built for travelers, photographers, and anyone who doesn’t want to miss the next aurora, this app helps you stay one step ahead and catch the magic when it happens. Privacy Policy: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CYJ_YEK2fZHzfMJntkommHBqIdkYoGnQ2lnCUt52C88/ Terms of Use: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1MvMhZJsr14RA3JatJtIHj-GpTCITxJ1a7NMfelop3wk/
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 review sentiment: Aurora Buddy at 100% against Aurora Forecast's 50%. Aurora Buddy also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Aurora Forecast's advantage is ratings volume (165 vs 8) and chart position (#116 vs unranked). 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. Aurora Forecast sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Aurora Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.
Aurora Buddy holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aurora Forecast has 165 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of Aurora Forecast's written reviews are positive against 100% of Aurora Buddy's.
Aurora Forecast ships an update monthly, Aurora Buddy every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Aurora Forecast | Aurora Buddy |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (165 ratings) | 5.0 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 165 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 10 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Best chart rank | #116 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 68 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Appelio | Harsh Patel |
Customer experience
Aurora Forecast
Aurora Buddy
In-app purchases
Aurora Forecast
- Aurora Weekly$4.997 Days
- Aurora Weekly Free Trial7 Days trial2 variants$9.997 Days
- Aurora Yearly Free Trial3 Days trial$29.991 Year
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- Aurora Yearly Free Trial7 Days trial$29.991 Year
- Aurora Forecast Yearly$49.991 Year
- Northern Lights Tracker$19.99
Aurora Buddy
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Aurora Forecast free?
Is Aurora Buddy free?
Which has better reviews, Aurora Forecast or Aurora Buddy?
Do Aurora Forecast or Aurora Buddy have ads?
Which is updated more often, Aurora Forecast or Aurora Buddy?
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