Comparison

MoonMap vs Sunward

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

Head to head
About

MoonMap

This app acts as a media server for lighting control, playing video and complex effects on DMX or CRMX fixtures. It integrates with industry-standard consoles and offers advanced fixture control, including per-fixture dimming and color curves. Supports various video formats and network protocols for seamless playback.

Highlights
  • Video playback on DMX/CRMX fixtures
  • sACN/Art-Net and HDMI media server
  • Integration with industry consoles
  • Per-fixture dimming and color curves
  • Support for multiple video formats
  • WiFi and Ethernet connectivity
  • Camera input and generator support
Features
Read full description

MoonMap is a full lighting console for iPhone and iPad, with pixel mapping and video built in. Program and play back a show on location, on stage or on set. MoonMap drives up to 40 universes or 2,500+ pixels of DMX or CRMX fixtures over sACN or Art-Net, from iPhone 11 up to iPad Pro 13". CONSOLE - Cues and sequences with cue timing, waits and follows. - Faders you can set to Blend, LTP or HTP. - A command line: type commands as on a traditional desk, or use the on-screen keypad. - Groups that remember their selection order, presets, and full undo and redo. - A rebuilt effects engine with ready-made looks, and a trackball for moving lights. - Custom windows: lay out your screen for the job, with five saved layouts, macro buttons and desk lock. PIXEL MAPPING AND VIDEO - Map video onto your rig and record it into cues. Video cues recall fast and fade cleanly. - Fire, TV, fireworks, car process and other evolving effects across any mix of fixtures, including traditional tungsten. - Seamless looping with ProRes (preferred), .mov, .mp4, .m4v, H.264 and H.265 (HEVC). - Built-in generators for test signals and complex effects, plus camera input and UVC video input on iPad. - Video output to HDMI. - Drag and resize fixtures on top of the video, with per-fixture and per-cell dimming and colour curves. PATCHING - A Patch window built for speed. - Import from GDTF, Open Fixture Library, Blackout, Sidus Link Pro and grandMA2 patch files. - A large, growing fixture library, and a builder for custom profiles. - Multi-universe fixtures supported natively: no need to split a 196-pixel fixture into several. NETWORKING - Works standalone or alongside grandMA, Blackout, Eos, Sidus Link Pro, Luminair and other sACN or Art-Net consoles. - sACN and Art-Net input, so a console can run playback, grade the image live and control output. - Per-address sACN priority, universe merge, channel testing and easy gateway setup. - Wi-Fi or Ethernet. — — — LICENSE TIERS MoonMap offers three tiers — Artist, Show and Pro — each available as a 3-month or yearly auto-renewing subscription, or as a one-time Lifetime purchase. Lifetime licences include every update through version 2.9. Upgrade from Artist or Show to a higher tier and pay only the difference. Prices vary by territory and are shown in your local currency at the point of purchase. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel subscriptions in Settings → [your name] → Subscriptions on your device after purchase. Privacy Policy: https://gist.githubusercontent.com/dlozanothornton/2920cc526c5aeaa2f7aac9cbceef6035/raw/d25a9268f977f1a30500d4907268b43c08b67e5b/gistfile1.txt Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Sunward

Features
Read full description

Where will the sun be — and when will the light be perfect? Sunward answers that question anywhere on Earth, on any date — past or future. Point your camera at the sky and watch the sun's full-day arc appear in augmented reality. Drop a pin on a 3D map and see exactly how shadows will fall across a street, a façade, or a balcony. Know the precise minute golden hour begins — today, next month, or on the winter solstice. Built for photographers, filmmakers, real-estate scouts, architects, and outdoor creators who plan around natural light. Every solar calculation runs on device, powered by our own astronomy engine. TRY EVERYTHING FREE FOR 7 DAYS Full features require a paid subscription or one-time Lifetime purchase. Start with a 7-day free trial — full access to every feature below. SEE THE SUN BEFORE IT GETS THERE - AR Sun Path — a live camera overlay of the sun's complete arc, with time-travel scrubbing through any date, solstices, and equinoxes. Sun-align calibration gives degree-perfect framing. - Sun Dial — one beautiful screen with sunrise, sunset, solar noon, golden hour, blue hour, twilight bands, and the sun's current position. - Shadow Studio — a 3D map with physically accurate building shadows that stretch and rotate through the day. Drop a probe pin anywhere to see when that exact spot is in sun or shade. KNOW A PROPERTY'S LIGHT BEFORE YOU COMMIT - Property Sun Report — a Sun Score plus a year-round comparison for any address, exportable as a PDF or photo. Perfect for house hunting, real-estate listings, and architecture briefs. - Construction Footprint — draw a building footprint and preview its projected shadow at any time of year. Made for architects, landscape designers, and solar panel planning. PLAN THE SHOOT, NOT JUST THE DAY - Planner — save shoots by date and location with automatic weather and light forecasts, then share shoot cards with your crew. - Light Match — import a reference photo and Sunward reads its data to find when the same light — angle, color temperature, sun altitude — will happen again at any location. - Timetable & Forecast — 14-day light forecasts with cloud, rain, and temperature overlays, exportable as PDF. NEVER MISS THE LIGHT - Golden hour, blue hour, sunrise, sunset, and solar noon alerts with Live Activities and Dynamic Island countdowns. - Apple Watch app with today's light phases, a live countdown, and complications for every watch face. - Home and Lock Screen widgets: golden hour countdown, sunrise/sunset, mini dial, and sun position. MADE THE RIGHT WAY - Works fully offline once your locations are pinned. - Privacy-first: no accounts, no ads, no analytics, no tracking. Your location never leaves your device. - Liquid Glass design with full Light and Dark Mode, on iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch. - Available in 15 languages. Whether you're timing a portrait session, matching continuity light between shoot days, comparing apartments, positioning solar panels, or picking the sunny café terrace — Sunward shows you where the sun will be, when the light will be best, and what the shadows will do. SUNWARD PRO Every plan unlocks the complete feature set — choose how you'd like to pay: - Sunward Monthly — auto-renewing subscription - Sunward Yearly — auto-renewing subscription with a 7-day free trial for new subscribers - Sunward Lifetime — one-time purchase, yours forever Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions automatically renew unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. You can manage and cancel subscriptions in your Apple ID account settings. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when purchasing a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://www.jyvapps.com/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

MoonMap4 screens
Sunward4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: MoonMap at every 5 days against Sunward's every 3 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. MoonMap sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per 3 months and Sunward sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

MoonMap ships an update every 5 days, Sunward every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 8 level
MoonMap versus Sunward: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMoonMapSunward
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 3 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS18.517 — better
Further details — not scored
Size147 MB51 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDario Lozano ThorntonFarah Aydoni

In-app purchases

10 purchases

MoonMap

Subscriptions3
  • MoonMap Artist – 3 Months7 Days trial$39.993 Months
  • MoonMap Show – 3 Months7 Days trial$74.993 Months
  • MoonMap Show – Yearly7 Days trial$149.991 Year
One-time7
  • Pro 7-Day TrialFree
  • Artist 7-Day TrialFree
  • Show 7-Day TrialFree
Show 4 more
  • Upgrade Artist to Show$99.99
  • Upgrade Show to Pro$349.99
  • Upgrade Artist to Pro$449.99
  • MoonMap Pro – Lifetime$599.99
3 purchases

Sunward

Subscriptions2
  • Sunward Monthly$5.991 Month
  • Sunward Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
One-time1
  • Sunward Lifetime$79.99

Questions

Is MoonMap free?
MoonMap is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Sunward free?
Sunward is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do MoonMap or Sunward have ads?
Neither MoonMap nor Sunward shows ads.
Which is updated more often, MoonMap or Sunward?
MoonMap ships an update every 5 days, and Sunward every 3 weeks. Most recently, MoonMap was updated on November 5, 2026 and Sunward on October 31, 2026.

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