Comparison

Cloud Buddy vs CloudWatcher SkyJournal

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

Head to head
About

Cloud Buddy

Instantly identify cloud types using your phone's camera and AI. Point your device at the sky to learn about formations like cumulus and cirrus in real-time. Explore the sky with augmented reality and discover the wonders above.

Highlights
  • Real-time cloud identification
  • AI-powered recognition
  • Augmented reality sky detection
  • Learn cloud types and formations
  • Camera-based scanning
Features
Read full description

Cloud Buddy – Cloud Identifier Discover the sky like never before. Cloud Buddy uses your phone’s camera, augmented reality, and AI to instantly identify cloud types in real time. Simply point your device at the sky and learn what’s above you—whether it’s cumulus, cirrus, or something in between. Powered by custom-trained machine learning models, Cloud Buddy can recognize 7–11 different cloud types with reliable accuracy, making it perfect for curious minds, weather enthusiasts, and anyone who loves nature. Features: Identify clouds instantly using your camera Real-time cloud recognition with AI Augmented reality sky detection Learn different cloud types and formations Fast, simple, and intuitive to use Whether you're exploring the outdoors or just looking up, Cloud Buddy turns the sky into a learning experience. Point. Scan. Discover the clouds.

About

CloudWatcher SkyJournal

Features
Read full description

Look up at the sky, snap a photo, and complete your cloud atlas. Cloud Watcher helps you tell clouds apart with a practical field guide, then record them with your own sky photos. Collect the 10 principal cloud genera plus four special formations to complete a 14-type personal cloud atlas. --- Features --- - 14-Type Cloud Collection Record the 10 principal cloud genera plus lenticular, mammatus, noctilucent clouds, and contrails - Field Guide and Identification Quiz Learn three observable clues for every cloud and practice telling similar types apart - 12 Observation Themes Small prompts for revisiting existing clouds, from morning layers to halos and contrails - Observation Notes for Every Cloud See the best time to look and a simple framing tip before you capture a sighting - Collection Grid See your progress at a glance. Like a cloud Pokedex, aim to catch them all - Observation Streak Track your daily cloud watching habit and build an unbroken streak - Privacy First All photos stay on your device. No server uploads, ever - Works Offline No internet connection required - Ad-Free Nothing interrupts your cloud watching experience --- Pro (One-Time Purchase) --- - Detailed descriptions for each cloud type - Altitude and weather condition information - Unlock all 12 observation themes - Unlock everything with a single purchase Terms of Use: https://starcrown.co.jp/terms Privacy Policy: https://starcrown.co.jp/privacy

Screenshots

Cloud Buddy3 screens
CloudWatcher SkyJournal1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Cloud Buddy at none against CloudWatcher SkyJournal's 4. CloudWatcher SkyJournal's advantage is update cadence (every 11 days vs every 4 months) and iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.2). 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. CloudWatcher SkyJournal sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Cloud Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Cloud Buddy ships an update every 4 months, CloudWatcher SkyJournal every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
Cloud Buddy versus CloudWatcher SkyJournal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCloud BuddyCloudWatcher SkyJournal
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 11 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS26.217.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB4 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperNathan AnthonyStarcrown Inc

In-app purchases

None

Cloud Buddy

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

CloudWatcher SkyJournal

One-time4
  • コーヒー$0.99
  • クッキー$2.99
  • Cloud Watcher Pro$2.99
Show 1 more
  • ケーキ$6.99

Questions

Is Cloud Buddy free?
Cloud Buddy is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is CloudWatcher SkyJournal free?
CloudWatcher SkyJournal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Cloud Buddy or CloudWatcher SkyJournal have ads?
Neither Cloud Buddy nor CloudWatcher SkyJournal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Cloud Buddy or CloudWatcher SkyJournal?
Cloud Buddy ships an update every 4 months, and CloudWatcher SkyJournal every 11 days. Most recently, Cloud Buddy was updated on November 5, 2026 and CloudWatcher SkyJournal on November 9, 2026.

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