# SunCalc.net vs LightPlan

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: SunCalc.net at none against LightPlan's 3. SunCalc.net also leads on review sentiment (88% vs 57%) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On price, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. LightPlan sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. SunCalc.net asks for nothing beyond the download.

SunCalc.net holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SunCalc.net has 63 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 88% of SunCalc.net's written reviews are positive against 57% of LightPlan's.

SunCalc.net ships an update every 6 weeks, LightPlan every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SunCalc.net | LightPlan |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (63 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/suncalcnet/id761295311/reviews)** | [4.6 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightplan-sun-path-and-shadow/id1668588896/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **63** | 10 |
| Positive reviews | **88.2% of reviews** | 57.1% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Freemium |
| Size | 19 MB | 77 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 26.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Oleg Shanyuk](https://appshunter.io/developer/653045688) | [Rivolu LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1086229238) |

## What reviewers say

### SunCalc.net

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/suncalcnet/id761295311)

This application provides real-time information about sunrise and sunset times. It also includes a compass, world time display, and weather forecasts, making it a comprehensive tool for understanding solar events and local conditions.

**Highlights:** Sunrise and sunset times, Integrated compass, World time display, Weather forecasts, Time zone awareness

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and practical
- 💡 Well-designed interface
- 🎯 Useful for planning outdoor activities
- 📸 Great for photographers
- 🌍 Accurate sun position for any location

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Sun angle disappears when changing date
- 🗺️ Google Maps not always current
- 🧭 Compass issues
- ⏳ Cannot change time, only date
- 📍 Location search limitations

**Reported bugs**

- Sun angle disappears when changing date
- Compass is not accurate
- App crashes on older iOS versions
- App crashes right after launch
- Crashes at start

**Requested features**

- Display altitude and azimuth of the sun
- Ability to set a specific time, not just current time
- Option for Apple Maps or Open Source Maps
- Compass feature for orientation
- Add moon information


### LightPlan

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/lightplan-sun-path-and-shadow/id1668588896)

Visualize the sun and moon's path in 3D on real-world terrain to plan outdoor photography. See golden hour, blue hour, and shadows with precision. Save locations and camera angles for perfect shots.

**Highlights:** Photorealistic 3D sun and moon visualization, Interactive timeline for golden hour and blue hour, 3D building shadow visualization, Smart location library with custom camera angles, Syncs locations across devices, Elevation charts and compass

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| Yearly | $19.99 | per year |
| Lifetime Membership | $59.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SunCalc.net free?

SunCalc.net is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is LightPlan free?

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

### Which has better reviews, SunCalc.net or LightPlan?

SunCalc.net is rated higher. SunCalc.net averages 4.8 out of 5 from 63 ratings, while LightPlan averages 4.6 from 10 ratings.

### Do SunCalc.net or LightPlan have ads?

Neither SunCalc.net nor LightPlan shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SunCalc.net or LightPlan?

SunCalc.net ships an update every 6 weeks, and LightPlan every 3 weeks. Most recently, SunCalc.net was updated on October 21, 2026 and LightPlan on October 24, 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.*