# Polar Scope Align vs Touch

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Touch at none against Polar Scope Align's 3. Touch also leads on ads (none vs shown) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 6 weeks). Polar Scope Align's advantage is ratings volume (173 vs 7) and review sentiment (91% vs 75%). On price, rating and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Polar Scope Align sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Touch asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.7 for Polar Scope Align against 4.7 for Touch. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Polar Scope Align has 173 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 91% of Polar Scope Align's written reviews are positive against 75% of Touch's.

Polar Scope Align ships an update every 6 weeks, Touch fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Polar Scope Align | Touch |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.7 (173 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polar-scope-align/id970157965/reviews) | **[4.7 (7 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touch-n-stars/id6744902856/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **173** | 7 |
| Positive reviews | **91.4% of reviews** | 75.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 24 MB | 41 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Dimitrios Kechagias](https://appshunter.io/developer/970157964) | [Johannes Maier](https://appshunter.io/developer/1809834961) |

## What reviewers say

### Polar Scope Align

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/polar-scope-align/id970157965)

This app calculates the precise position of celestial poles in your telescope's polar scope reticle for accurate alignment. It supports a wide range of reticles and corrects for atmospheric refraction, offering precision even at lower latitudes. Features include night mode, moon phase, and astronomical databases.

**Highlights:** Polaris/Sigma Octantis position calculation, Atmospheric refraction correction, Reticle centering error correction, Supports numerous reticle types, Red-color night mode, Moon phase and astronomical databases

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Tip 1x | $0.99 | one-time |
| Tip 4x | $3.99 | one-time |
| Tip 10x | $9.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Extensive reticle options for various telescope mounts
- 👍 User-friendly and intuitive interface
- 🆓 Powerful free version with no popup ads
- 🔴 Red night vision mode preserves dark adaptation
- 📍 Accurate GPS-based location detection

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inconsistent accuracy with metal mounts/tripods
- 📱 Font size too small for comfortable reading
- 🎯 Center dot in reticle obscures precise alignment
- 📍 Limited effectiveness for southern hemisphere (Sigma Octantis is dim)
- ❓ Steep learning curve for beginners without proper guidance

**Reported bugs**

- Date and time dial do not match correctly
- GMT and LST times appear to be switched
- App crashes or fails to initialize for some users
- Alignment accuracy varies inconsistently between sessions
- Location detection issues with cell tower vs GPS

**Requested features**

- Online video tutorials demonstrating all features
- Remove or reduce center dot size in reticle
- Larger, bolder font options for better readability
- Brighter star options for southern hemisphere alignment
- Smaller ad button or ad customization


### Touch

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/touch-n-stars/id6744902856)

Control your astrophotography sessions remotely from your mobile device or Mac. Manage imaging, focus, guiding, and polar alignment. This open-source tool enhances your workflow without ads or in-app purchases.

**Highlights:** Remote imaging session launch, Focus control, Guiding performance monitoring, Three Point Polar Alignment, Connected device control, Open source

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Polar Scope Align free?

Polar Scope Align is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Touch free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Polar Scope Align or Touch?

Touch is rated higher. Polar Scope Align averages 4.7 out of 5 from 173 ratings, while Touch averages 4.7 from 7 ratings.

### Do Polar Scope Align or Touch have ads?

Polar Scope Align shows ads; Touch does not.

### Which is updated more often, Polar Scope Align or Touch?

Polar Scope Align ships an update every 6 weeks, and Touch fortnightly. Most recently, Polar Scope Align was updated on October 24, 2026 and Touch 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.*