Ranking updated
Apps for the night sky
Hold the phone up and these apps name what you see. Stellarium Mobile is a full planetarium for any date and place, with a red night mode. Night Sky works on iPhone and Apple Watch and lets you pin your own Sky Tags. Sky Guide works offline and warns before the ISS flies over. SkyView Lite is a simple free start on iPhone and Android. Stellarium, Night Sky and Sky Guide have a Ukrainian interface.
How we picked: sky map apps whose seller is shown as a trader in the App Store, with features from each developer’s own description. We note which list Ukrainian and do not quote prices or subscription terms.
Stellarium: a planetarium in your pocket
Stellarium Mobile shows stars, constellations, planets, comets and satellites such as the ISS when you point the phone at the sky, and simulates the sky for any date, time and place. It has constellation shapes from many sky cultures, realistic sunrise and sunset, 3D planets and a red night mode that keeps your eyes adapted to the dark. An in-app upgrade to Stellarium Plus shows much fainter objects.
Night Sky and Sky Guide on iPhone
Night Sky identifies stars, planets, constellations and satellites from iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, lets you pin personal Sky Tags with notes and photos, and has Connected Stargazing over a FaceTime Audio call. Sky Guide lays graphics over the real sky in AR, sends a notification before the ISS passes over you, keeps a calendar of eclipses and works with or without Wi-Fi, cellular or GPS.
A simple free start
SkyView Lite names stars, constellations and satellites when you point the phone up, on iPhone and Android, and its full version adds an Apple Watch app and a widget with tonight’s brightest objects. For a night hike away from city lights, see hiking apps.
| App | Best for | Ukrainian interface | Platforms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stellarium MobileApp StoreGoogle Play | an accurate sky for any date, time and place, red night mode | yes | iOS, Android |
| Night SkyApp Store | iPhone and Apple Watch, personal Sky Tags, stargazing with friends over FaceTime | yes | iOS |
| Sky GuideApp Store | AR view, ISS flyover alerts, works without Wi-Fi or GPS | yes | iOS |
| SkyView LiteApp StoreGoogle Play | a simple free start | no | iOS, Android |
Frequently asked questions
Which app shows the stars when I point my phone at the sky?
Stellarium Mobile, Night Sky, Sky Guide and SkyView Lite all name stars, constellations, planets and satellites in the direction you point.
Is there a star map app in Ukrainian?
Yes. Stellarium Mobile, Night Sky and Sky Guide list Ukrainian in the App Store.
Which star map app works offline?
Sky Guide says it works with or without Wi-Fi, cellular service or GPS.
How do I know when the ISS will fly over?
Sky Guide sends a notification before the International Space Station passes over your location, and Stellarium tracks the ISS and other satellites.