# Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) vs Lightning Tracker‎

The clearest difference is rating: Lightning Tracker‎ at 4.4 against Kestrel LiNK (Legacy)'s 2.2. Lightning Tracker‎ also leads on ratings volume (172 vs 38). Kestrel LiNK (Legacy)'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Lightning Tracker‎ sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) asks for nothing beyond the download.

Lightning Tracker‎ holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 2.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 38 and 172 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 23% of Kestrel LiNK (Legacy)'s written reviews are positive against 8% of Lightning Tracker‎'s, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) ships an update every 2 months, Lightning Tracker‎ every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 18, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) | Lightning Tracker‎ |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [2.2 (38 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kestrel-link-legacy/id698732837/reviews) | **[4.4 (172 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-tracker/id6670211416/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 38 | **172** |
| Positive reviews | **23.1% of reviews** | 8.3% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 4 months |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 20 MB | 64 MB |
| Requires iOS | **8.0** | 17.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Nielsen-Kellerman Co.](https://appshunter.io/developer/698732840) | [Going Merry LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1820776999) |

## What reviewers say

### Kestrel LiNK (Legacy)

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/kestrel-link-legacy/id698732837)

This application connects to specific Kestrel weather meters, allowing users to view and manage data from their devices. It supports older firmware versions for the Drop and 5000 series models.

**Highlights:** Connects to Drop devices, Connects to 5000 series devices, View device data, Manage device data, Legacy firmware support

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Lightning Tracker‎

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightning-tracker/id6670211416)

Monitor real-time lightning strikes on a map with detailed information like time and distance. Receive background notifications for nearby activity and customize your detection radius. View current weather conditions alongside lightning alerts.

**Highlights:** Real-time lightning strike map, Strike details (time, distance), Background monitoring and notifications, Customizable detection radius (1-50 miles), Current weather conditions view, Lightning strike expiration (15 minutes)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Premium Monthly | $0.99 | per month |
| Premium Weekly | $1.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Weekly | $2.99 | per 7 days |
| Premium Yearly | $6.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $9.99 | per year |
| Premium Yearly | $19.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) free?

Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Lightning Tracker‎ free?

Lightning Tracker‎ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) or Lightning Tracker‎?

Lightning Tracker‎ is rated higher. Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) averages 2.2 out of 5 from 38 ratings, while Lightning Tracker‎ averages 4.4 from 172 ratings.

### Do Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) or Lightning Tracker‎ have ads?

Lightning Tracker‎ shows ads; Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) does not.

### Which is updated more often, Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) or Lightning Tracker‎?

Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) ships an update every 2 months, and Lightning Tracker‎ every 4 months. Most recently, Kestrel LiNK (Legacy) was updated on October 18, 2026 and Lightning Tracker‎ on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*