| Core Identity |
| Developer | Oleg Shanyuk | ozPDA | PhotoPills S.L. | Crookneck Consulting LLC | Adam Ratana | Applorium Ltd | Noctua Software Ltd | Shelter Island Mapping Company, LLC | Windyty, SE |
| Category | Navigation | Navigation | Photo & Video | Photo & Video | Photo & Video | Photo & Video | Education | Weather | Weather |
| Platform | iOS, Android | iOS | iOS | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | Android, iOS | iOS, Android | iOS, Android | iOS, Android |
| Store Metrics |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.7 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 | 4.8 / 5 |
| Ratings Count | 62 | 12,617 | 1,500 | 1,532 | 276 | 376 | 35,790 | 155,518 | 75,871 |
| Price | Free | $11.99 | $10.99 | $9.99 | $9.99 | $2.99 | Free | Free | Free |
| Release Date | Feb 17, 2014 | Oct 5, 2009 | Mar 21, 2013 | Apr 17, 2010 | May 11, 2012 | Sep 23, 2016 | Apr 7, 2019 | Dec 12, 2012 | Oct 31, 2016 |
| Last Updated | Sep 17, 2024 | Dec 7, 2025 | Apr 16, 2026 | Mar 20, 2026 | Nov 7, 2025 | Jan 23, 2025 | Feb 22, 2026 | Mar 31, 2026 | Mar 24, 2026 |
| Sentiment & Reviews |
| Sentiment | excellent | excellent | mixed | - | - | - | - | - | excellent |
| Score | 85/100 | 82/100 | 65/100 | - | - | - | - | - | 85/100 |
| Praises | - Simple and focused interface design allows quick access to solar positioning data for professional tasks
- High accuracy in calculating sunrise and sunset times supports precise planning for outdoor activities
| - Professional Utility
- AR Visualization
| - Comprehensive planning tools for sun and moon photography provide significant value for landscape photographers
| - | - | - | - | - | - High-fidelity radar and multi-layer weather visualization tools provide professional-grade utility for outdoor enthusiasts
|
| Complaints | - Missing numerical data for sun azimuth and elevation forces users to manually interpret graphical representations
- Inability to adjust time independently of date restricts the ability to simulate specific lighting conditions
| - Compass and Accuracy Issues
- Outdated Map Data
| - Steep learning curve and complex interface design overwhelm casual users who lack technical photography knowledge
| - | - | - | - | - | - Widget functionality regressions post-update cause data loading failures on specific Android device models
|
| Requests | - Integration of additional solar metrics like moon position and sun altitude for professional use cases
| - | - Improved search functionality for specific landmarks to avoid manual map navigation and pin dropping
| - | - | - | - | - | - Expanded visual indicators for wind direction and storm alerts would improve situational awareness for users
|
| Strategic Intel |
| Strengths | - Minimalist interface design sustains high user satisfaction
- Focused utility avoids feature bloat of legacy trackers
| - Proprietary AR 'Surveyor View'
- Strong professional brand reputation
- High 4.8-star historical rating
| - Educational content ecosystem translates planning data into legendary photographic results
- All-in-one utility consolidates multiple single-purpose calculators into one interface
| - | - | - | - Scientific accuracy derived from open-source heritage sustains high user trust
- Telescope control protocols create high switching costs for hobbyists
- Minimalist UI reduces cognitive load for casual stargazers
| - | - Multi-model aggregation provides scientific depth for complex meteorological analysis
- 67,000+ webcam network creates a visual-verification loop that competitors lack
- Professional-grade aviation/marine toolset creates high switching costs for power users
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| Weaknesses | - Missing numerical azimuth and elevation data limits utility
- Ad-supported model lacks premium tier for power users
| - High $11.99 upfront cost
- Slow update velocity (maintenance mode)
- Compass sensitivity to hardware interference
| - $10.99 upfront price point exceeds the casual-utility median
- Manual landmark navigation creates high friction in the location scouting workflow
| - | - | - | - Premium tier lacks cross-platform notification parity
- No wearable integration limits active outdoor engagement
- Android-iOS rating gap suggests inconsistent performance
| - | - Premium tier lacks the hyper-local simplicity of MinuteCast
- Widget regressions on Android create a 0.16★ platform rating gap
- High battery consumption from persistent location requests
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| Pricing | free | paid | paid | paid | paid | free | freemium | freemium | freemium |
| Momentum | Maintenance | Maintenance | Maintenance | Intense | Steady | Intense | - | Intense | Active |
| Update Cadence | 2 versions, ~551d avg | 1 versions | 3 versions, 1 majors/6mo, ~81d avg | 5 versions | 5 versions | 5 versions | - | 5 versions | 5 versions, 4 majors/6mo, ~20d avg |
