Comparison

SOL.SWx vs ClearNight Stargazing Forecast

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

Head to head
About

SOL.SWx

Monitor space weather with real-time data on solar flares, CMEs, and aurora forecasts. Get alerts for geomagnetic storms and radio blackouts. View live solar imagery and track conditions affecting communications and GPS.

Highlights
  • Real-time aurora forecasts and alerts
  • Live solar imagery from multiple observatories
  • Solar flare and CME tracking
  • Geomagnetic storm and radio blackout notifications
  • Aurora compass for viewing direction
  • Shareable time-lapse animations
Features
Read full description

SOL.SWx brings the power of the Sun to your fingertips with real-time space weather monitoring from NASA and NOAA... completely ad-free, as it should be. AURORA ALERTS & FORECASTING Never miss the northern or southern lights. See real-time aurora forecasts, Kp index predictions, and exactly where auroras are visible right now. Our unique aurora compass points you toward the best viewing direction from your location. LIVE SOLAR MONITORING Watch the Sun like never before with imagery from four space observatories—SDO, SOHO, STEREO, and GOES. Track solar flares as they erupt, monitor coronal mass ejections heading toward Earth, and create shareable time-lapse animations. SPACE WEATHER WARNINGS • X-ray flux charts and solar flare probability • Geomagnetic storm alerts (G-scale) • Radio blackout and radiation storm notifications FOR ENTHUSIASTS & PROFESSIONALS Whether you're chasing auroras, operating radio equipment, or monitoring conditions that affect GPS and communications, SOL.SWx keeps you connected to our nearest star. DATA FROM TRUSTED SOURCES NASA Solar Dynamics Observatory • NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center • Helioviewer.org

About

ClearNight Stargazing Forecast

This app helps you determine the best times for stargazing by providing clear, plain-language information on cloud cover, moon phase, and sky darkness. It's designed for anyone wanting to know if the night sky is worth observing, from backyard glances to weekend camping trips.

Highlights
  • Plain-language sky condition read
  • Cloud cover and moon phase information
  • Sky darkness predictions
  • Save favorite stargazing spots
  • At-a-glance verdict (go, wait, don't bother)
  • Optional sky clearing alerts
Features
Read full description

Know the sky before you go outside. ClearNight tells you when the sky is actually worth looking at — clear enough, dark enough, tonight or this weekend. Built for campers, families planning a night under the stars, and anyone who's ever stepped outside and wondered if it was worth it. Get a plain-language read on your exact spot: cloud cover, moon phase, and how dark it'll really get — not just weather, but sky weather. • Save your favorite camping and stargazing spots • See tonight's verdict at a glance — go, wait, or don't bother • Optional alerts when the sky clears up near you • Works for backyard glances and weekend trips alike The sky doesn't announce itself. ClearNight does.

Screenshots

SOL.SWx4 screens
ClearNight Stargazing Forecast4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SOL.SWx at none against ClearNight Stargazing Forecast's 3. SOL.SWx also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (4.7 vs 4.3). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and device support 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. ClearNight Stargazing Forecast sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. SOL.SWx asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SOL.SWx holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 6 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

SOL.SWx ships an update every 3 days, ClearNight Stargazing Forecast every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 31, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
SOL.SWx versus ClearNight Stargazing Forecast: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSOL.SWxClearNight Stargazing Forecast
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.7 (6 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings66
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 4 days
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPhone
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size5 MB42 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGriffin GoodwinStrange Glyph, LLC

Customer experience

SOL.SWx

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral16.7%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

ClearNight Stargazing Forecast

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

None

SOL.SWx

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

ClearNight Stargazing Forecast

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly7 Days trial$1.991 Month
  • Annual7 Days trial$12.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime$29.99

Questions

Is SOL.SWx free?
SOL.SWx is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ClearNight Stargazing Forecast free?
ClearNight Stargazing Forecast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SOL.SWx or ClearNight Stargazing Forecast?
SOL.SWx is rated higher. SOL.SWx averages 4.7 out of 5 from 6 ratings, while ClearNight Stargazing Forecast averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do SOL.SWx or ClearNight Stargazing Forecast have ads?
ClearNight Stargazing Forecast shows ads; SOL.SWx does not.
Which is updated more often, SOL.SWx or ClearNight Stargazing Forecast?
SOL.SWx ships an update every 3 days, and ClearNight Stargazing Forecast every 4 days. Most recently, SOL.SWx was updated on October 31, 2026 and ClearNight Stargazing Forecast on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons