Comparison

AstroOcular vs Microscope App

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

Head to head
About

AstroOcular

Features
Read full description

AstroOcular is a focused camera app for recording the Moon, planets, and observations through a telescope eyepiece. The app opens straight into the camera, avoids automatic lens switching by using physical rear cameras when available, and provides a visual guide to help center the iPhone on the eyepiece. Key features: - Photo and video capture through a telescope eyepiece - Physical rear lens selection - Automatic alignment guide and manual reticle fallback - Timer to reduce shake - Pro controls for zoom, focus, exposure, ISO, white balance, resolution, and FPS - Saves locally to the Photos library - No ads, analytics, purchases, or backend Video audio is off by default and microphone permission is requested only if you enable audio.

About

Microscope App

Features
Read full description

Use your iPhone with a compatible microscope eyepiece adapter to view, align, photograph, and record what your microscope sees. Microscope App provides a clean live camera view designed for imaging through a physical microscope. Get clear setup guidance for your iPhone model, align the rear 1× Main camera with the eyepiece, and start viewing. VIEW AND ALIGN • Clean live view through your microscope • Guidance for positioning the iPhone’s 1× Main camera • Minimal center marker for precise alignment • Zoom and tap to focus CAPTURE PHOTOS AND VIDEO • Take native photos and record video through the eyepiece • Save captures to a dedicated Microscope album in Photos • Preview and share using familiar iPhone tools PRECISION CONTROLS WITH PRO • Fine-tune focus and exposure • Adjust color temperature and tint on supported cameras • Customize the center marker’s visibility, color, and opacity • Choose additional supported photo resolutions and video quality profiles PRIVATE BY DESIGN • No ads • No account • No analytics SDK or tracking • Microscope App never uploads camera frames or captures • Saved media follows your Photos and Apple sync settings WHAT YOU NEED A physical microscope and compatible iPhone eyepiece adapter are required. Microscope App uses the iPhone’s built-in rear 1× Main camera. It does not connect to Wi-Fi or USB microscopes. Use Microscope App for specimens, classroom demonstrations, electronics inspection, gems, collectibles, and hobby imaging. Microscope App is an observation and imaging utility. It is not a medical diagnostic or calibrated measurement tool. Free includes live viewing, zoom, tap to focus, photo and video capture, and a fixed center marker. Pro is available as a monthly subscription or a one-time lifetime purchase. Both options unlock the same Pro features. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://sahilsatralkar.com/apps/microscope/privacy

Screenshots

AstroOcular4 screens
Microscope App4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: AstroOcular at none against Microscope App's 2. AstroOcular also leads on iOS requirement (17.0 vs 26.0). Microscope App's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs every 5 weeks). 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. Microscope App sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. AstroOcular asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AstroOcular ships an update every 5 weeks, Microscope App weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 13, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 3 level
AstroOcular versus Microscope App: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstroOcularMicroscope App
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
DevicesiPhoneiPhone
Requires iOS17.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAron ScolaroPriya Satralkar

In-app purchases

None

AstroOcular

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Microscope App

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly Pro$1.991 Month
One-time1
  • Lifetime Pro$9.99

Questions

Is AstroOcular free?
AstroOcular is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Microscope App free?
Microscope App is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AstroOcular or Microscope App have ads?
Neither AstroOcular nor Microscope App shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AstroOcular or Microscope App?
AstroOcular ships an update every 5 weeks, and Microscope App weekly. Most recently, AstroOcular was updated on September 13, 2026 and Microscope App on September 24, 2026.

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