Comparison

Thunder Distance vs Lightning Tracker

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

Head to head
About

Thunder Distance

Features
Read full description

Thunder Distance Thunder Distance is a very useful app for calculating the distance between your current location and the thunder. You can view and share the three most recent results. When you see a lightning flash outside, tap on the Light/Flash button in the app. When you hear the thunder, tap on the Sound/Thunder button. The app will give you a distance in Meters, Kilometers, Miles and Yards. There are 12 different backgrounds available to choose from. There is also a Help page with a small explanation of the basic controls in the app. Have fun!

About

Lightning Tracker

This app provides real-time lightning strike data on a live map, offering alerts for nearby activity. It helps users plan outdoor activities and stay aware of approaching storms with detailed strike information and weather radar integration.

Highlights
  • Live lightning strike map
  • Nearby strike alerts
  • Ground and intracloud strike types
  • Weather radar integration
  • Closest strike distance and age
  • Optional monthly Pro subscription
Read full description

Lightning Alerts is a live lightning tracker and storm map for nearby strike awareness, powered by enterprise-grade lightning data. Open the map without creating an app account. Check recent strike activity before travel, golf, hiking, boating, surfing, fishing, open-water activities, or everyday weather planning. The map can show both ground-reaching and intracloud strikes. Ground mode helps filter cloud flashes so busy storms are easier to read. What you can see: - Live map of recent strike activity - Nearby alerts for your location or a saved place - No app account required to open the map - Ground-reaching and intracloud strike types - Ground mode to reduce cloud-flash noise - Closest-strike distance, age, direction, and street context - Strike strength, polarity, and detailed strike type - Polarity filter: show only positive or only negative ground strikes - Strength filter and Find > Strongest in view - Weather radar with strikes on the same map - Save one place you care about - Clear controls for alerts, ads, privacy, and analytics - Optional monthly Pro subscription that removes ads Use Lightning Alerts before you head outside, while storms are nearby, or when you want a clearer view of activity around a place. Choose the strike filter, inspect the closest strike, and use notifications to return to the live map when activity changes. Photographers and sprite chasers can show only positive ground strikes, which are less common and often stronger. Tap a strike to see its distance and direction. Lightning Alerts is a weather awareness tool, not an emergency warning system. Always follow official weather alerts, local rules, and venue safety guidance. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Thunder Distance4 screens
Lightning Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Thunder Distance at none against Lightning Tracker's 1. Thunder Distance also leads on ads (none vs shown) and device support (4 vs 1). Lightning Tracker's advantage is update cadence (every 2 days vs every 2 weeks). On price 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. Lightning Tracker sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $0.99 per month. Thunder Distance asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Thunder Distance ships an update every 2 weeks, Lightning Tracker every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on October 7, 2026 and October 15, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Thunder Distance versus Lightning Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterThunder DistanceLightning Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating—5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—1 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone
Requires iOS7.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMax KievitsLightning Alerts Oy

In-app purchases

None

Thunder Distance

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Lightning Tracker

Subscriptions1
  • Ad-free monthly$0.991 Month

Questions

Is Thunder Distance free?
Thunder Distance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Lightning Tracker free?
Lightning Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Thunder Distance or Lightning Tracker have ads?
Lightning Tracker shows ads; Thunder Distance does not.
Which is updated more often, Thunder Distance or Lightning Tracker?
Thunder Distance ships an update every 2 weeks, and Lightning Tracker every 2 days. Most recently, Thunder Distance was updated on October 7, 2026 and Lightning Tracker on October 15, 2026.

Other comparisons