Comparison

CloudWatcher SkyJournal vs StrikeCast

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

Head to head
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

About

StrikeCast

This app provides real-time lightning strike distance and live alerts on a map. Save locations to receive notifications when lightning is detected nearby, even when you're away. It offers a clean interface with no ad clutter.

Highlights
  • Real-time lightning strike distance
  • Live map of lightning activity
  • Customizable alerts for saved locations
  • Distance in miles or kilometers
  • Approaching and moving-away trends (Pro)
  • Animated weather radar (Pro)
Read full description

How close is the lightning? StrikeCast: Lightning Tracker puts the answer front and center. See the approximate distance to the nearest detected strike in miles/km, follow activity on a clean live map, and set alerts for the places you care about. DISTANCE AT A GLANCE • See the nearest detected strike without searching through the map • View distance in miles or kilometers • Check when the latest nearby strike was detected • Explore latest strikes and lightning hotspots • Built on NOAA GOES satellite lightning data ALERTS FOR PLACES THAT MATTER Save a location and choose an alert radius. StrikeCast can notify you when lightning is detected nearby, even when you are somewhere else. Monitor home, work, school, or any place you want to keep an eye on. CALM, CLEAR DESIGN No noisy dashboard and no ad clutter. When the area is quiet, StrikeCast says so. When lightning is nearby, the distance stays easy to find. UPGRADE TO PRO • Real-time strike data with no added free-tier delay • Approaching and moving-away trends • More saved locations and flexible alert radii • Animated weather radar • 12-hour thunderstorm forecast • Extended lightning range PRIVACY FIRST No ads. No cross-app tracking. Your location is used to calculate distance and power the alerts you choose. Lightning detection has inherent latency and location uncertainty. Distances are approximate. StrikeCast is informational and is not a substitute for official weather warnings or emergency guidance. Privacy Policy: https://strikecast.app/privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://strikecast.app/terms

Screenshots

CloudWatcher SkyJournal4 screens
StrikeCast4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CloudWatcher SkyJournal at none against StrikeCast's 3. StrikeCast's advantage is iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.0). On price, update cadence, 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. StrikeCast sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. CloudWatcher SkyJournal asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

CloudWatcher SkyJournal ships an update every 5 days, StrikeCast every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
CloudWatcher SkyJournal versus StrikeCast: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterCloudWatcher SkyJournalStrikeCast
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.2 (5 ratings) — better
Number of ratings—5 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS17.015.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperStarcrown IncKirill Proskurin

In-app purchases

None

CloudWatcher SkyJournal

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

StrikeCast

Subscriptions3
  • StrikeCast Pro$4.997 Days
  • StrikeCast Pro$12.991 Month
  • Lightning Tracker: Distance Pro3 Days trial$33.991 Year

Questions

Is CloudWatcher SkyJournal free?
CloudWatcher SkyJournal is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is StrikeCast free?
StrikeCast is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do CloudWatcher SkyJournal or StrikeCast have ads?
Neither CloudWatcher SkyJournal nor StrikeCast shows ads.
Which is updated more often, CloudWatcher SkyJournal or StrikeCast?
CloudWatcher SkyJournal ships an update every 5 days, and StrikeCast every 4 days. Most recently, CloudWatcher SkyJournal was updated on September 28, 2026 and StrikeCast on October 2, 2026.

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