KeckWatch vs Hubble
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Offline celestial exploration
- Real-time telescope status
- Compass and GPS integration
- Detailed object information
- Hawaiian star names
- Night vision red interface
- Keck Observatory news
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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
Hubble
Explore the universe in high definition with stunning images from the Hubble Space Telescope. Discover galaxies, nebulae, and star clusters with detailed descriptions and an immersive slideshow experience. Stay updated with the latest cosmic discoveries.
- High-resolution cosmic image gallery
- Immersive slideshow mode
- Searchable database of celestial objects
- Detailed scientific descriptions
- Real-time updates for 'Picture of the Week'
- Links to NASA/ESA archives
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Embark on a breathtaking journey across the universe with Hubble. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of deep space through the lens of the world’s most famous space telescope. From distant galaxies to colorful nebulae, the Hubble Cosmic Gallery brings the majesty of the cosmos directly to your fingertips in stunning high resolution. Fresh from Hubble: Stay updated with the "Picture of the Week." Our real-time ESA/Hubble RSS integration ensures you never miss a new cosmic discovery. Immense HD Library: Browse a curated collection of the most iconic Hubble images. Explore star clusters, supernova remnants, and the farthest reaches of the observable universe. Immersive Slideshow: Turn your device into a window to the stars. Enjoy a seamless, auto-playing slideshow experience with ambient transitions and deep-space vibes. Search & Discover: Looking for a specific nebula or galaxy? Use our lightning-fast search to find exactly what you're looking for among hundreds of high-res entries. Premium UI/UX: Designed with SwiftUI, featuring elegant glassmorphism effects, parallax carousels, and tactical haptic feedback for a truly premium feel. Learn as You Explore: Every image comes with detailed scientific descriptions and direct links to official NASA/ESA archives for those who want to dive deeper into the science. Whether you’re a space enthusiast, a student of astronomy, or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of our universe, Hubble provides a specialized, clutter-free experience for celestial exploration. Download Hubble today and witness the grandeur of the stars like never before.
Screenshots
Verdict
KeckWatch and Hubble both sit at 4.3 stars, but that hides the real split: 83% of KeckWatch's written reviews are positive against 0% of Hubble's. KeckWatch also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 5 months). On price, rating, ratings volume 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.3 for KeckWatch against 4.4 for Hubble. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 8 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 83% of KeckWatch's written reviews are positive against 0% of Hubble's.
KeckWatch ships an update every 5 weeks, Hubble every 5 months. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.
| Parameter | KeckWatch | Hubble |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.3 (9 ratings) | 4.4 (8 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 83.3% of reviews — better | 0.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 5 weeks — better | Every 5 months |
| Ads | No — better | Yes |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Ad-supported |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 7.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 147 MB | 2.9 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 9+ |
| Developer | Mike Smithwick | Alparslan Topbas |
Customer experience
KeckWatch
Hubble
In-app purchases
KeckWatch
No in-app purchases
Hubble
No in-app purchases









