Comparison

StarTeller vs AstroGuide LogBook

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

Head to head
About

StarTeller

This astronomy planner helps astrophotographers find the best times to capture deep-sky objects. It provides detailed visibility data, object coordinates, and an interactive sky map, all calculated precisely on your device.

Highlights
  • 13,000+ deep-sky objects
  • Full visibility data (rise, peak, set times)
  • Interactive sky map with AR mode
  • Offline calculations
  • Customizable locations
  • Night vision red mode
Features
Read full description

Introducing StarTeller for iOS: your personal guide to the night sky, built for astrophotographers who refuse to miss a shot. StarTeller takes the guesswork out of planning your next imaging session. With a catalog of over 13,000 deep-sky objects at your fingertips, you'll know exactly when each target rises, peaks, and sets, down to the minute, so you can make every clear night count. Whether you're chasing faint nebulae, distant galaxies, or glittering star clusters, StarTeller tells you the best night to image each object from your exact location. See how long each target will be above the horizon, check its coordinates, and preview reference images, all before you ever step outside. Built as a planning companion for your telescope rig, StarTeller helps you build a session plan around what the sky is actually offering tonight. No more scrolling forums or cross-referencing almanacs. Just open the app, pick your targets, and know exactly when to shoot them. All visibility calculations run on your device with precise astronomical math, no internet required. Reference images load online, or download them in Settings for offline use. No AI-generated answers, just deterministic astronomy math that works anywhere, including dark sites with no signal. StarTeller Features: - 13,000+ deep-sky objects across the Messier, NGC, IC, SH2, and other catalogs - Full visibility data for every object: rise, peak, and set times, altitude arc, observing duration, nights visible per year from your location, magnitude, angular size, and coordinates in J2000 or JNow - Real reference photos for every target, so you know what you're aiming at before you set up - Search by object name, catalog ID (e.g. M42, NGC 6992), or constellation; filter and sort by type, catalog, altitude, size, and best date - Interactive sky map for any location and date, with constellation lines, star names, object paths, and an altitude grid - Altitude timeline: scrub through the night and watch any object's arc update in real time, on any night past or future - Telescope framing: save your scope and camera (focal length, reducer or Barlow, sensor size, or a direct field of view) and see exactly how a target frames up before you shoot - Custom horizon: trace your real skyline through the camera and StarTeller factors your trees and rooftops into every visibility calculation - Astronomical darkness: civil, nautical, and astronomical twilight, plus the exact dark window for tonight - Moon planning: phase, illumination, moonrise and moonset, angular size, and the next new and full moon dates - All seven planets tracked in real time, with rise, set, and peak times from your location - Set and save unlimited locations easily by using GPS, map pin, or manual coordinate entry, and keep your targets in a dedicated favorites view - AR sky mode: point your phone at the sky to align the map with the real night above you - Night vision red mode to preserve your dark adaptation in the field - Core planning works fully offline; optional image downloads for complete offline use Free includes the complete Messier catalog (110 objects) and access to all app features. Upgrade to StarTeller Pro to unlock all 13,000+ objects across NGC, IC, SH2, and additional catalogs. Whether you're a seasoned astrophotographer or just getting started with your first telescope, StarTeller puts the entire night sky on your schedule. The sky is waiting. Show up ready.

About

AstroGuide LogBook

Features
Read full description

AstroGuide is an app for planning, photographing, and remembering your astronomy observation sessions. Explore upcoming events such as eclipses, meteor showers, conjunctions, planetary oppositions, and Moon phases. Each event includes practical information to help you decide when to observe, what to expect, and how to prepare your gear. The app combines an astronomical calendar, visibility maps, reminders, and an integrated astrophotography guide. For each event, you’ll find suggested aperture, ISO, shutter speed, and recommended equipment such as tripod, telescope, or wide-angle lens. AstroGuide also includes an observation logbook where you can save your sessions, attach photos, record the gear you used, note sky conditions, and keep useful metadata such as date, location, and Moon phase. Your observations, custom events, and reminders can sync across devices with iCloud. Main features: • Astronomical event calendar. • Separate sections for major events and Moon phases. • Visibility maps when data is available. • Photography guide for each event. • Configurable reminders. • Observation logbook with photos and notes. • Custom events. • iCloud sync. • Real Night Mode with deep red accents for dark-sky use. • Optimized interface for iPhone and iPad. AstroGuide is designed for observers, night photographers, and astronomy enthusiasts who want to plan each night-sky session with more confidence.

Screenshots

StarTeller4 screens
AstroGuide LogBook4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AstroGuide LogBook at none against StarTeller's 1. StarTeller's advantage is iOS requirement (16.4 vs 18.6). On price, ads 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. StarTeller sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. AstroGuide LogBook asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
StarTeller versus AstroGuide LogBook: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterStarTellerAstroGuide LogBook
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (9 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings9 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeks—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium—
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.4 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size152 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeryhelion LLCJose Gea

In-app purchases

1 purchases

StarTeller

One-time1
  • StarTeller Pro$4.99
None

AstroGuide LogBook

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is StarTeller free?
StarTeller is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AstroGuide LogBook free?
AstroGuide LogBook is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do StarTeller or AstroGuide LogBook have ads?
Neither StarTeller nor AstroGuide LogBook shows ads.

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