Comparison

KeckWatch vs ASGuide

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

Head to head
About

KeckWatch

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
Read full description

KeckWatch is brought to you by W. M. Keck Observatory, which operates the two largest optical/infrared telescopes on Earth from nearly 14,000 feet on Maunakea in Hawaii. Since first science in 1993 they have become the two most scientifically productive telescopes on Earth. With KeckWatch, you can share in their discoveries. Sporting thousands of stars, all 8 (sorry, Pluto) planets, galaxies, nebula and star clusters, along with status updates and news from Keck Observatory you’ll learn where Orion might be, or what planet was shimmering above the house last night. Features include: •No Internet required. Just a sense of wonder. •Up to date Keck news •See the current status of each telescope, what instruments are in use and what organization is booked for that evening’s observing •See where each scope is currently aimed. •Stars are shown with both standard and traditional Hawaiian names •Zoom in on the planets, see Jupiter and her moons or the rings of Saturn. •See where other users with Beacons. •Compass aware, just aim and gaze. •Thousands of pinpoint stars scintillating like diamond dust in the palm of your hand •Realistic ghostly band of the Milky Way •Stories behind each constellation •Viewpoint Lock keeps any planet centered •Galaxies, nebula and star clusters •Hubble Space Telescope images •All 8 planets (Pluto is optional) •GPS aware •Red interface to preserve your night vision •What's Up? Gives a quick one snapshot overview of where all of the important stuff is •Touching the sky to reveal hidden data for each object •Planetary data and information

About

ASGuide

Explore the night sky with this astronomy companion. Discover planets, galaxies, nebulae, and more visible from your location. Generate custom viewing lists and preview celestial objects with an interactive sky atlas.

Highlights
  • Discover celestial objects visible from your location
  • Generate custom viewing lists
  • View detailed observation information
  • Interactive sky atlas preview
  • Dark mode for nighttime viewing
  • Sunrise/sunset and moon phase dashboard
Features
Read full description

Discover the wonders visible in your sky tonight. ASGuide (Astronomy Sky Guide) turns your location and observing time into a personal guide to the night sky. Discover visible planets, galaxies, nebulae, stars, star clusters, and galactic regions. Plan an observation, explore from home, or find your next celestial target. Find objects worth viewing and learn more about every discovery: - See what is visible from your location and when to observe it. View rise, transit, and set times. - Filter by magnitude, altitude above the horizon, constellation, object type, and more. - Search by common name, catalog number, constellation, object type, or detailed classification. - Browse the solar system and deep-sky categories. - Return quickly to recent searches and recently viewed objects. - See which planets are visible. - Save favorite objects for future viewing. - Use your current location or select any location on Earth. - Check sunrise, sunset, twilight, and night times. - Follow the current moon phase, illumination, moonrise, moonset, and the next new and full moons. - Open high-resolution imagery and explore objects with the interactive sky atlas. Customize the Home screen with the information that matters to you. Use the dark appearance for nighttime observations, or the standard iOS appearance. Your next night-sky discovery starts with ASGuide.

Screenshots

KeckWatch4 screens
ASGuide4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: ASGuide at 4.8 against KeckWatch's 4.3. ASGuide also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 83%). KeckWatch's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 4 months) and device support (3 vs 1). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

ASGuide holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 83% of KeckWatch's written reviews are positive against 100% of ASGuide's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

KeckWatch ships an update every 5 weeks, ASGuide every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
KeckWatch versus ASGuide: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterKeckWatchASGuide
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (9 ratings)4.8 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews83.3% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings99
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeks — betterEvery 4 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS7.1 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size147 MB33 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMike SmithwickPhilip Perez

Customer experience

KeckWatch

All ratings9 ratings
Positive77.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative22.2%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%

ASGuide

All ratings9 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

KeckWatch

No in-app purchases

None

ASGuide

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is KeckWatch free?
KeckWatch is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ASGuide free?
ASGuide is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, KeckWatch or ASGuide?
ASGuide is rated higher. KeckWatch averages 4.3 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while ASGuide averages 4.8 from 9 ratings.
Do KeckWatch or ASGuide have ads?
Neither KeckWatch nor ASGuide shows ads.
Which is updated more often, KeckWatch or ASGuide?
KeckWatch ships an update every 5 weeks, and ASGuide every 4 months. Most recently, KeckWatch was updated on October 14, 2026 and ASGuide on October 17, 2026.

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