Hello Aurora is a community-driven aurora tracking app that differentiates itself through a verified sighting network and a gamified 'Aurora Passport.' It targets enthusiasts and photographers with a strictly ad-free, freemium model. While it holds a #95 ranking in its category, recent sentiment has turned mixed due to mandatory registration and stability issues in the latest v3.3.0 update.
Product velocity
Active
Daily rank 🇺🇸
#92
Weather · free
Sentiment
4.4
109 reviews
Nemesis
My Aurora Forecast & Alerts
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
For Northern Lights enthusiasts, professional photographers, and high-latitude tourists seeking verified real-time sightings.
What does it look like?
Key features
Verified network where reports are restricted to 1-hour old photos to ensure real-time accuracy.
Gamified tracking system logging sightings, rankings, and personal hunting history.
Custom notifications based on intensity, distance, and magnetic (Bz) values.
How much does it cost?
The app uses an ad-free experience as a core value prop, monetizing through social gamification and advanced technical data filters rather than traditional utility ads.
Velocity
Active developmentUX improvementssocial featuresseasonal eventsShow more...
The app is currently active, having released a significant major update in early April 2026. This release focused on a complete profile overhaul and enhanced social discovery features within the community gallery. Development is currently prioritized around UX improvements and social features to coincide with the 2026 aurora season.
Who built it?
Jeremy Barbet
5 apps tracked · Weather
Spinly - Wheel Spinner
Statiks
Percento Percentage Calculator
PriceTag: Discount CalculatorUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads mixed. Users appreciate data quality and accuracy.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- Data Quality and Accuracy
Unlock 1 more frustration theme, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Hello Aurora:Alerts & Forecast
How's the Weather market?
The rivals identified
By Maple Media
The dominant market leader that captures the majority of casual tourists and first-time aurora hunters.
- Significantly larger user base providing a broader reach for basic alerts
- Simplified UI designed for non-technical users and tourists
- Integration with broader travel and weather utility portfolios
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Hello Aurora:Alerts & Forecast
Where is it heading?
- v3.3.0 update introduced launch-time crashes — Frustrated user feedback
- Mandatory registration added in recent updates — High friction signal
- Active feature investment in v3.3.0 (Redesigned profile, expanded alerts) — Not in maintenance mode
The SWOT
- Verified sighting network (1-hour photo limit)
- Gamified 'Aurora Passport' for user retention
- Ad-free experience across all tiers
- Photography-specific location guides (compete with Aurora Reach)
- Expanded cloud cover data for North American markets
Next best moves
Hotfix launch-time crashes
+ 2 more prioritized movesFeature gaps
Advanced technical parameters like solar wind speed and density (available in Aurora Alerts) +2
Bottom line
Hello Aurora has a powerful community moat through its verified sightings, but it is currently self-sabotaging with high-friction registration and stability issues. If I were the PM, I would immediately revert the mandatory login and fix the v3.3.0 crash to protect the 4.36 rating before the market leader (My Aurora Forecast) captures the frustrated user base.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 2 more prioritized moves and the analyst’s take.
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