Comparison

Aurora Forecast vs Aurora Buddy

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Real-time aurora forecasts
  • Location-based predictions
  • KP index and cloud cover data
  • Customizable aurora alerts
  • Global aurora map
  • Aurora viewing tips
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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/

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read full description

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

Aurora Forecast4 screens
Aurora Buddy4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
Aurora Forecast versus Aurora Buddy: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAurora ForecastAurora Buddy
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.6 (165 ratings)5.0 (8 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings165 — better8
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
Best chart rank#116 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB68 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAppelioHarsh Patel

Customer experience

Aurora Forecast

All ratings78 ratings
Positive91.0%
Neutral5.1%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

Aurora Buddy

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

Aurora Forecast

Subscriptions5
  • Aurora Weekly$4.997 Days
  • Aurora Weekly Free Trial7 Days trial2 variants$9.997 Days
  • Aurora Yearly Free Trial3 Days trial$29.991 Year
Show 2 more
  • Aurora Yearly Free Trial7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Aurora Forecast Yearly$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • Northern Lights Tracker$19.99
None

Aurora Buddy

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Aurora Forecast free?
Aurora Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aurora Buddy free?
Aurora Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Aurora Forecast or Aurora Buddy?
Aurora Buddy is rated higher. Aurora Forecast averages 4.6 out of 5 from 165 ratings, while Aurora Buddy averages 5.0 from 8 ratings.
Do Aurora Forecast or Aurora Buddy have ads?
Neither Aurora Forecast nor Aurora Buddy shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aurora Forecast or Aurora Buddy?
Aurora Forecast ships an update monthly, and Aurora Buddy every 10 days. Most recently, Aurora Forecast was updated on November 5, 2026 and Aurora Buddy on October 31, 2026.

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