Sun Surveyor Lite is a solar-tracking utility for photographers and architects that visualizes sun and moon paths via a 3D compass interface on iOS.
Product velocity
Maintenance
Daily rank 🇺🇸
—
Photo & Video
Sentiment
4.1
37 reviews
Nemesis
Fragmented field
The App DNA
What makes this app unique?
The app removes the cognitive load of calculating complex solar angles for outdoor shoots, displacing manual ephemeris charts and basic compass tools.
For Professional photographers, filmmakers, architects, and solar industry workers.
What does it look like?
Key features
Visualizes sun and moon orientation using a 3D interface for real-time bearing.
Calculates sunrise, sunset, golden hour, blue hour, and twilight times for any location.
Augmented reality projection of sun and moon paths over the camera feed.
How much does it cost?
The freemium model gates advanced visualization and offline tools behind a paid full version to convert professional users.
Velocity
Maintenance developmentperformanceShow more...
Sun Surveyor Lite has seen no new feature development or content updates in the last 270 days. The latest release focused exclusively on SDK updates and minor technical tweaks, indicating a maintenance-only development cycle. With only one version shipped in the analyzed window, the app is currently in a state of low-frequency maintenance.
Who built it?
Adam Ratana
3 apps tracked · Photo & Video
Sun Surveyor (Sun & Moon)
Sun Surveyor LiteUser Sentiment
What do users think recently?
The recent review mood reads excited. Users appreciate the gyroscopic three-dimensional compass provides an intuitive way to visualize solar positioning throughout the day and educational utility for physics and astronomy students makes the app a valuable classroom resource.
How are ratings & reviews evolving?
What users say, by theme
- The gyroscopic three-dimensional compass provides an intuitive way to visualize solar positioning throughout the day
- Educational utility for physics and astronomy students makes the app a valuable classroom resource
- Photographers and gardeners rely on the app to plan outdoor activities and landscaping projects accurately
- Compass calibration issues force users to repeatedly perform manual figure-eight motions to maintain accuracy
49 of 49 recent reviews analyzed · high confidence · Excited overall
Read the full review analysisUnlock 2 more frustration themes and 1 user request, each backed by review evidence.
Access the full report for freeCompetition
Competitive landscape for Sun Surveyor Lite
How's the Photo & Video market?
Sun Surveyor Lite maintains a 4.08-star rating across 37 reviews, but the nine-month update gap signals a shift toward maintenance-only status. The lack of recent feature expansion limits its ability to compete with more active tools in the Photo & Video category.
Read the market outlookThe rivals identified
Unlock the deeper market read.
Access the full report for freeThe Analyst's Read
Key takeaways for Sun Surveyor Lite
Where is it heading?
Users report: The solar-planning category is consolidating around tools with high-frequency update cycles and verified astronomical data. Sun Surveyor Lite remains in maintenance mode, which leaves it exposed to rivals that offer better accuracy and privacy-friendly location inputs.
- Nine-month maintenance-only cadence → lack of feature expansion → erosion of professional user trust against active rivals.
- Compass calibration complaints → increased manual effort for users → higher churn risk for professional photographers.
The SWOT
- Gyroscopic 3D compass provides an intuitive solar-tracking interface
- Educational utility for physics and astronomy students creates a niche user base
- Localized pricing could capture users in high-ARPU markets
- Implementing non-GPS location entry would address top user privacy concerns
Next best moves
Audit compass calibration logic because users report frequent manual figure-eight motions to maintain accuracy → improve tool reliability
+ 1 more prioritized moveThe counter-intuitive read
The nine-month update silence is not just a lack of resources…
Read the full takeSince the last report: The app's competitive outlook has shifted from stable to declining due to the persistent nine-month maintenance cycle and the emergence of privacy-related user friction regarding GPS tracking.
Bottom line
Sun Surveyor Lite relies on its core 3D compass to retain users, but the nine-month maintenance gap risks professional churn as competitors refine their data accuracy. Addressing the compass calibration reliability would stabilize the current user base.
Unlock 3 critical frictions, 2 market threats, 1 more prioritized move and the analyst’s take.
Access the full report for freeFAQ
Is Sun Surveyor Lite suitable for professional photography planning?
Does Sun Surveyor Lite require constant GPS tracking?
What is the difference between the Lite and Full versions?
Sources
Report last updated