Comparison

aprs.fi vs Light Pollution Map

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

Head to head
About

aprs.fi

Access real-time APRS position data, weather reports, and telemetry graphs globally. Offers route guidance, station tracking, and map filtering. Some advanced features require an in-app subscription.

Highlights
  • Real-time APRS position data
  • Route guidance and driving directions
  • Search callsigns and addresses
  • Track multiple stations
  • Filter map information
  • View weather and telemetry graphs
  • Beacon your position
Features
Read full description

An additional in-app subscription is needed for some features, so please read this application description fully before purchasing. Navigate to addresses with clear step-by-step instructions. Obtain immediate, real-time access to current APRS position information, weather reports, telemetry graphs, and more. Zoom and browse around the world and see stations immediately – no waiting. • Route guidance / driving directions • Search callsigns and addresses, with quick search-as-you-type and search history features • Track multiple stations at the same time • Filter information shown on the map (weather stations, AIS, custom filters) • View weather, telemetry and statistic graphs • Beacon your position on aprs.fi • Attach to a transceiver with a wireless connection to a BLE TNC, receive and transmit position beacons without the Internet • Runs directly on top of the reliable and fast aprs.fi database • Tested to work great on all currently-supported iPhone and iPad models • Supports iOS 14/15/16/17/18/26 • Dark Mode support for an ergonomic viewing experience in low-light environments • High-resolution graphics for Retina and Retina HD displays with full APRS symbol set Buy the app – get the web site for free! Some new features require a subscription. All old and some new features will be available without a subscription fee. These features are currently included in the Extra Features subscription package: • APRS text messaging with a modern instant messenger-like experience, supports international text and emojis • High-performance software DSP modem • APRS-IS beaconing, with up to 10 callsign profiles • Offline maps • RX iGate functionality • Long time ranges in map and graph views Note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. GPS is not required for viewing APRS information. Terms of service: https://aprs.fi/page/app_terms Privacy policy: https://aprs.fi/page/app_privacy

About

Light Pollution Map

Visualize sky brightness data, including VIIRS and SQM measurements, to understand light pollution levels. Explore various overlays like cloud coverage, aurora forecasts, and observatory locations. Offers offline access to essential maps.

Highlights
  • VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas, Cloud, Aurora layers
  • Color blind friendly color options
  • Cloud animation
  • SQM/SQC readings submission
  • International dark sky parks overlay
  • Offline mode
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

The map displays VIIRS/World Atlas/Clouds/Aurora/IAU observatories and the user SQM measurements. The primary use is to show VIIRS/DMSP data in a friendly manner, but over time it also included some other interesting overlays that concern light pollution like SQM/SQC, World Atlas 2015 zenith brightness, clouds, aurora and IAU observatories. If you have a permanent SQM reader installed you can add it to the map by sending me an e-mail. Please send comments and requests for new features via email (look under help) Functionalities: - VIIRS, Sky Brightness, World Atlas 2015, Cloud coverage and Aurora forecast layers - VIIRS and Sky Brightness layers can be displayed in color blind friendly colors - Road & Satellite base maps - Cloud animation for the last 12 hours - Get detail radiance and SQM values from layers at a click. For Sky brightness/World Atlas 2015, you also get Bortle class estimation. - SQM, SQM-L, SQC, SQM-LE, SQM readings submitted by users - International dark sky parks overlay - Submit your own SQM (L) readings - Observatories layer - Save your favorite locations - Distance measurement tool with azimuth angle report - All-sky view of light pollution with real horizon - Offline mode (Sky brightness map and a base map are saved to your device, so it will be displayed when you are offline)

Screenshots

aprs.fi4 screens
Light Pollution Map4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: aprs.fi at 4.7 against Light Pollution Map's 4.1. aprs.fi also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 3 months) and ratings volume (1.1K vs 46). Light Pollution Map's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 3) and price ($4.99 vs $6.99). On ads, device support and iOS requirement 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

aprs.fi costs $6.99 and Light Pollution Map $4.99 up front. aprs.fi sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Light Pollution Map asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

aprs.fi holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: aprs.fi has 1.1K ratings behind it against 46, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 70% of aprs.fi's written reviews are positive against 57% of Light Pollution Map's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, Light Pollution Map every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
aprs.fi versus Light Pollution Map: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
Parameteraprs.fiLight Pollution Map
Price$6.99$4.99 — better
Rating4.7 (1.1K ratings) — better4.1 (46 ratings)
Positive reviews70.4% of reviews — better57.1% of reviews
Number of ratings1.1K — better46
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterPaid
Best chart rank#10 — better#35
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size28 MB20 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGainIOJurij Stare

Customer experience

aprs.fi

All ratings1,133 ratings
Positive92.9%
Neutral2.2%
Negative4.9%
Written reviews223 reviews
Positive70.4%
Neutral11.2%
Negative18.4%

Light Pollution Map

All ratings46 ratings
Positive76.1%
Neutral4.3%
Negative19.6%
Written reviews21 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral0.0%
Negative42.9%

Bugs and requests

aprs.fi

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Beacon not clickable
  • Freezing on settings screen
  • Incompatible with older iOS versions
  • Inconsistent behavior with VOX on radios

Requested features

6 requests
  • Offline maps support
  • Ability to change nickname without creating new account
  • Smart beaconing mode
  • Bulk message deletion
  • CarPlay support
Show 1 more
  • Automatic location detection

Light Pollution Map

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

3 purchases

aprs.fi

Subscriptions3
  • Extra features, monthly$1.991 Month
  • Extra features, yearly7 Days trial$6.491 Year
  • Extra features, fair trade7 Days trial$13.491 Year
None

Light Pollution Map

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is aprs.fi free?
aprs.fi costs $6.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is Light Pollution Map free?
Light Pollution Map costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, aprs.fi or Light Pollution Map?
aprs.fi is rated higher. aprs.fi averages 4.7 out of 5 from 1.1K ratings, while Light Pollution Map averages 4.1 from 46 ratings.
Do aprs.fi or Light Pollution Map have ads?
Neither aprs.fi nor Light Pollution Map shows ads.
Which is updated more often, aprs.fi or Light Pollution Map?
aprs.fi ships an update fortnightly, and Light Pollution Map every 3 months. Most recently, aprs.fi was updated on September 22, 2026 and Light Pollution Map on September 23, 2026.
Which is more popular, aprs.fi or Light Pollution Map?
aprs.fi currently peaks at #10 in the App Store charts, and Light Pollution Map at #35. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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