# Lightning Tracker vs Lightning Radar

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Lightning Radar at none against Lightning Tracker's 1. Lightning Radar also leads on ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (12 vs 1). Lightning Tracker's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.1). On price, rating, review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lightning Tracker sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Lightning Radar asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Lightning Tracker against 5.0 for Lightning Radar. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Lightning Radar has 12 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 100% and 100% positive.

Lightning Tracker ships an update every 2 days, Lightning Radar monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 25, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Lightning Tracker | Lightning Radar |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-tracker-live-map/id6755661220/reviews) | [5.0 (12 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-radar/id6785224181/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 1 | **12** |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 days** | Monthly |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 13 MB | 7 MB |
| Requires iOS | **17.0** | 26.1 |
| Devices | iPhone | **iPhone, iPad** |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lightning Alerts Oy](https://appshunter.io/developer/1855340618) | [Koode](https://appshunter.io/developer/1561601384) |

## What reviewers say

### Lightning Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-tracker-live-map/id6755661220)

This app provides real-time lightning strike data on a live map, offering alerts for nearby activity. It helps users plan outdoor activities and stay aware of approaching storms with detailed strike information and weather radar integration.

**Highlights:** Live lightning strike map, Nearby strike alerts, Ground and intracloud strike types, Weather radar integration, Closest strike distance and age, Optional monthly Pro subscription

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad-free monthly | $0.99 | per month |


### Lightning Radar

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-radar/id6785224181)

Track lightning strikes globally in real time with live alerts and detailed storm information. View strike locations, distances, and directions on an interactive map, and receive notifications as storms approach.

**Highlights:** Real-time lightning strike map, Customizable lightning alerts, Lock screen and Dynamic Island storm updates, Nearby radar and strike distance, Live chart of nearby storm activity, Search and save locations, Private by design, no tracking or ads

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Lightning Tracker free?

Lightning Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Lightning Radar free?

Lightning Radar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Lightning Tracker or Lightning Radar?

Lightning Tracker and Lightning Radar are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 1 and 12 ratings respectively.

### Do Lightning Tracker or Lightning Radar have ads?

Lightning Tracker shows ads; Lightning Radar does not.

### Which is updated more often, Lightning Tracker or Lightning Radar?

Lightning Tracker ships an update every 2 days, and Lightning Radar monthly. Most recently, Lightning Tracker was updated on September 25, 2026 and Lightning Radar on September 14, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*