# KeckWatch vs Pocket Planets

The clearest difference is ads: KeckWatch at none against Pocket Planets's shown. KeckWatch also leads on review sentiment (83% vs 67%) and monetization model (free vs ad-supported). Pocket Planets's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 4.3). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

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

Pocket Planets holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 22 respectively. Written reviews complicate that: 83% of KeckWatch's written reviews are positive against 67% of Pocket Planets's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

KeckWatch ships an update every 5 weeks, Pocket Planets every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | KeckWatch | Pocket Planets |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.3 (9 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keckwatch/id953228443/reviews) | **[4.6 (22 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-planets/id1496547610/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 9 | **22** |
| Positive reviews | **83.3% of reviews** | 66.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Ad-supported |
| Size | 147 MB | 66 MB |
| Requires iOS | **7.1** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Mike Smithwick](https://appshunter.io/developer/294198918) | [Ad Lunam Kereskedelmi es Szolgaltato Korlatolt Felelossegu Tarsasag](https://appshunter.io/developer/1496547609) |

## What reviewers say

### KeckWatch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/keckwatch/id953228443)

Explore the cosmos with detailed information on stars, planets, galaxies, and nebulae. Discover celestial objects using your device's compass and GPS, and stay updated with news from the W. M. Keck Observatory. Features a night-vision-friendly red interface and offline access.

**Highlights:** Offline celestial exploration, Real-time telescope status, Compass and GPS integration, Detailed object information, Hawaiian star names, Night vision red interface, Keck Observatory news

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Pocket Planets

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pocket-planets/id1496547610)

Explore our solar system with detailed information on planets, moons, and astronauts. Track who is currently in space and receive notifications for new launches. Access NASA images and compare celestial body characteristics.

**Highlights:** Detailed planet and moon data, Astronaut information and missions, Real-time space occupancy, Launch notifications, NASA image gallery, Celestial body comparisons

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is KeckWatch free?

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

### Is Pocket Planets free?

Pocket Planets is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, KeckWatch or Pocket Planets?

Pocket Planets is rated higher. KeckWatch averages 4.3 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while Pocket Planets averages 4.6 from 22 ratings.

### Do KeckWatch or Pocket Planets have ads?

Pocket Planets shows ads; KeckWatch does not.

### Which is updated more often, KeckWatch or Pocket Planets?

KeckWatch ships an update every 5 weeks, and Pocket Planets every 3 weeks. Most recently, KeckWatch was updated on October 24, 2026 and Pocket Planets 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.*