Comparison

Eclipse 2026 AR vs FirstContact

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

Head to head
About

Eclipse 2026 AR

Features
Read full description

On August 12, 2026, the sky will present an unforgettable spectacle: a total solar eclipse visible across Iceland, Spain, and other parts of the world. Want to know exactly how it will look from your position or plan the perfect trip to experience 100% totality? Eclipse 2026 AR is the ultimate Augmented Reality (AR) simulator that allows you to preview and track the solar eclipse directly from your iPhone. Find the perfect viewing spot long before the event begins! Point your camera at the sky to see the exact positions of the Sun and Moon in real time, or travel through time to simulate the entire event from any corner of the planet. MAIN FEATURES PRECISE AUGMENTED REALITY Visually project the Sun and Moon onto your live camera view. Check the exact degree of solar obscuration at any time and location. Includes a quick-access button to jump straight to the exact moment the eclipse starts at your current position! ADVANCED TIME SIMULATOR Control time at your fingertips! Fast-forward or reverse the eclipse's progress with an extreme speed selector (ranging from -500x to +500x). Press "Play" to watch the celestial bodies move, or freeze time completely to analyze the peak moment. INTERACTIVE SHADOW MAP Track the eclipse's shadow path across the globe. See how the shadow moves at your selected date and time, and easily identify the path of totality (maximum darkness) versus partial eclipse zones. CUSTOM VIRTUAL LOCATION Want to know how the eclipse will look from another city? Drop a pin on the map to simulate the AR experience from that exact spot on Earth. The app clearly indicates whether you are viewing real GPS data or your custom simulated location. BUILT-IN MANUAL & MULTI-LANGUAGE Fully available in English and Spanish. Includes a straightforward, step-by-step guide to help you get the most out of all the augmented reality features. IMPORTANT SAFETY WARNING This application is a digital simulation and visualization tool. It DOES NOT replace certified solar filters or eclipse glasses required for direct solar viewing. NEVER look directly at the Sun without proper, certified eye protection. Pointing your phone camera directly at the sun can damage its sensors; use the app with caution, preferably targeting the simulated path before the actual event takes place. OBSERVING OR RECORDING THE SUN WITHOUT PROPER PROTECTION CAN CAUSE SEVERE EYE DAMAGE. DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK.

About

FirstContact

Features
Read full description

Look up. Know what to find. FirstContact turns the night sky into a guided journey of discovery. See what is visible from your location, identify celestial objects, record your observations, build a permanent collection and explore the documented history of unusual sightings. Whether you are learning your first constellation or already know your way around the stars, FirstContact gives you a personalised plan for every night. EXPLORE TONIGHT’S SKY View current observing conditions, cloud cover, visibility, moon illumination and the best time to head outside. FirstContact creates a spotting list based on your location and guides you from easy naked-eye objects towards more challenging discoveries. IDENTIFY WHAT YOU SEE Use Sky Finder to locate planets, bright stars, constellations, satellites and other celestial objects. Point your device above the horizon to explore the visible sky or below it to understand what lies beyond your current view. BUILD YOUR COLLECTION Every successful observation becomes part of your permanent night-sky collection. Discover new objects, earn XP, increase your observer level and track your progress across multiple celestial categories. COMPLETE ACHIEVEMENTS Earn badges for spotting your first planet, identifying bright stars, finding constellations, observing satellites, maintaining spotting streaks and completing special challenges. SPOT WITH FRIENDS Connect with other observers, compare progress and make nights under the stars a shared experience. REPORT UNUSUAL SIGHTINGS Record a UFO, unexplained light or unusual sky event with a photograph, written observation and optional location. FirstContact preserves what you observed without presenting a report as proof of an alien encounter. Ordinary and explainable possibilities are always welcome. EXPLORE THE RESEARCH ARCHIVE Search thousands of publicly released government documents concerning celestial bodies, aerial phenomena and both explained and unexplained sightings. Explore historic reports, official investigations and research material from one searchable archive. YOUR NIGHT STARTS HERE From your first planet to your hundredth discovery, FirstContact helps you step outside, look up and understand more of what is above you. The universe is waiting. Make FirstContact. Location information, device sensors, weather data and internet access may be required for certain features. Sky positions and visibility are calculated estimates and can be affected by local conditions. Never look directly at the Sun through a camera, binoculars or telescope. Privacy Policy: https://first-contact.site/privacy/ Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Eclipse 2026 AR4 screens
FirstContact4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Eclipse 2026 AR at 14.0 against FirstContact's 18.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price Β· Rating Β· Positive reviews Β· Number of ratings Β· Update frequency Β· Ads Β· In-app purchases Β· Monetization Β· Best chart rank Β· Devices Β· Requires iOS

CostPrice Β· In-app purchases Β· Ads Β· Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Eclipse 2026 AR ships an update every 10 days, FirstContact every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 4, 2026 and October 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference Β· 5 level
Eclipse 2026 AR versus FirstContact: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterEclipse 2026 ARFirstContact
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 10 daysEvery 5 days β€” better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhone, iPod β€” betteriPhone
Requires iOS14.0 β€” better18.0
Further details β€” not scored
Size24 MB10 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLuis Alberto Menendez FernandezDAMON JAMES HEATH

In-app purchases

None

Eclipse 2026 AR

No in-app purchases

None

FirstContact

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Eclipse 2026 AR free?
Eclipse 2026 AR is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is FirstContact free?
FirstContact is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Eclipse 2026 AR or FirstContact have ads?
Neither Eclipse 2026 AR nor FirstContact shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Eclipse 2026 AR or FirstContact?
Eclipse 2026 AR ships an update every 10 days, and FirstContact every 5 days. Most recently, Eclipse 2026 AR was updated on October 4, 2026 and FirstContact on October 2, 2026.

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