Comparison

CloudySky2 vs Lightning Storm Simulator

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

Head to head
About

CloudySky2

Identify and learn about different cloud types with this pocket field guide. Explore detailed information, photos, and weather map symbols to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the sky.

Highlights
  • Cloud identification guide
  • Detailed cloud characteristics
  • Photo index of cloud types
  • Weather map symbol chart
  • Cloud formation explanations
  • In-app photo logging
  • Share photos via iMessage/email
Features
Read full description

More than just a picture gallery of clouds, CloudySky2 is an easy to use and complete pocket field guide for your iPhone and iPad that will help you to enjoy and better understand clouds by quickly identifying their names and characteristics. Just look up in the sky and get your head in the clouds. Take your time. This is not learning as a test, but learning for your enjoyment. When you are out for a walk the clouds are there for you to enjoy, and with CloudySky in your hands you will appreciate them even more. Look at the clouds around you and then take CloudySky2 out of your pocket, purse or bag and easily learn the names and characteristics of the clouds at your own pace. You will be surprised and pleased how over time your appreciation of clouds will grow and your enjoyment of them, with the knowledge you get with CloudySky2, will increase. CloudySky2 includes: A beautiful cloud chart/photo collage that gives you an overview of the ten main types of clouds A photo index of all the major cloud types grouped by the major elevation categories (étages) A relative elevation scale on the cloud chart that can be toggled between miles, kilometers or off A detailed view of each cloud type that gives you quick access to everything you would like to know about that cloud A photo index of all the species, varieties, supplemental features and accessory clouds for each cloud type A chart with all of the symbols used in weather maps for every cloud 90+ stunning photos to help you identify the cloud you are looking at All image are fully licensed and attributed from the Wikimedia Commons source Useful, authoritative and detailed explanations of how clouds form, what their distinguishing features are, how they are categorized and a history of how the clouds came to be named as they are Take photos from within the app, save them to the Cloud Log and share them with others via email and iMessage Add your own photos to the Cloud Log from your Photos library and classify them with their genus and subtype Annotate the photos you take with your own Observation Notes So, get CloudySky and get your head in the clouds!

About

Lightning Storm Simulator

Features
Read full description

Lightning Storm Simulator generates dynamic thunderstorms with visual and sound feedback! Start the app and lightning will strike in front of your eyes, illuminating the whole room. For extra realism, use with speakers and LED flash. Features: • LED and screen lightning visualization • Dynamic simulator parameters • Custom background sound ambients • Custom lightning color • Raindrop visualization • Presets • Timer Background ambients: • Light rain • Pouring rain • Rain on window • Rain on car Background ambient effects: • Campfire • Howling wind • Birds chirping • Night owl • Frogs • Crickets in the evening • Cat purring • Wind chimes - Works with Bluetooth external speakers and headphones - Works offline - no network connection required Storms can be generated using multiple parameters such as background ambient sound, thunder frequency, color of the lightning as well as duration of the lightning. Lightning is shown using screen colors (more realistic effect but requires darker environment) or with LED flash (amazingly powerful effect). You can set the color and duration of thunder strikes, the background sounds and set the timer. If you prefer only sounds to be heard, you can disable lightning or even the other way around. New storm background sounds as well as thunder sound effects are being constantly added. Why use Lightning Storm Simulator? - Insomnia therapy (drift to sleep easily with the soothing rain sounds) - Stress therapy (relax and forget about your worries - thunder sounds will make you feel safe and secure) - Fun (playing with different settings and producing awesome lightning in your dark room) - Meditation (focus and mindfulness, reduce stress) - Pet care (desensitize/calm your dog or cat to noise and scary sounds—start quietly and gradually increase the volume in later sessions) - Tinnitus relief (storm sounds calm the ringing in your ears)

Screenshots

CloudySky24 screens
Lightning Storm Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CloudySky2 at none against Lightning Storm Simulator's 2. CloudySky2 also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 3 days vs every 6 weeks). Lightning Storm Simulator's advantage is iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). On price 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. Lightning Storm Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. CloudySky2 asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CloudySky2 ships an update every 3 days, Lightning Storm Simulator every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
CloudySky2 versus Lightning Storm Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCloudySky2Lightning Storm Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 days — betterEvery 6 weeks
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size38 MB13 MB
Age rating4++9
DeveloperWonder Valley SoftwareQvyshift LLC

In-app purchases

None

CloudySky2

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Lightning Storm Simulator

One-time2
  • Halloween Sound Effects$4.99
  • Remove Ads$4.99

Questions

Is CloudySky2 free?
CloudySky2 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lightning Storm Simulator free?
Lightning Storm Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CloudySky2 or Lightning Storm Simulator have ads?
Lightning Storm Simulator shows ads; CloudySky2 does not.
Which is updated more often, CloudySky2 or Lightning Storm Simulator?
CloudySky2 ships an update every 3 days, and Lightning Storm Simulator every 6 weeks. Most recently, CloudySky2 was updated on October 13, 2026 and Lightning Storm Simulator on October 9, 2026.

Other comparisons