Best KStars Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from astronomy apps ranked against KStars on the same published basis.
- 1KStars vs Celestia
- 2KStars vs NASA Eyes
- 3KStars vs Solar System Scope
- 4KStars vs Cosmic Watch
- 5KStars vs Star Chart
- 6KStars vs Night Sky
- 7KStars vs Seestar App
- 8KStars vs SkySafari
- 9KStars vs DWARFLAB App
- 10KStars vs Luminos Pro
- 11KStars vs BXA
- 12KStars vs Sky Guide
- 13KStars vs squishyplanet
- 14KStars vs UNISTELLAR App
- 15KStars vs Star Chart
- 16KStars vs Gaia Sky
- 17KStars vs Halotools
- 18KStars vs SpaceEngine
- 19KStars vs Heavens-Above
- 21KStars vs SkyORB
KStars alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celestia | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 2 | NASA Eyes | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 3 | Solar System Scope | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Web, Windows |
| 4 | Cosmic Watch | 7.5 | Free plan | $0.42/mo | Android, iOS, Mac |
| 5 | Star Chart | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 6 | Night Sky | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac |
| 7 | Seestar App | 7.2 | No | — | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 8 | SkySafari | 7.2 | No | — | Android, iOS, Mac, Web |
| 9 | DWARFLAB App | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS |
| 10 | Luminos Pro | 7.1 | No | $3/mo | iOS, Mac |
| 11 | BXA | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Linux |
| 12 | Sky Guide | 6.7 | No | — | iOS, Mac |
| 13 | squishyplanet | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Windows |
| 14 | UNISTELLAR App | 6.7 | No | — | Android, iOS |
| 15 | Star Chart | 6.4 | Free plan | Free | Android, iOS, Mac, Windows |
| 16 | Gaia Sky | 6.2 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 17 | Halotools | 6.2 | No | — | Linux |
| 18 | SpaceEngine | 6.2 | No | — | Windows |
| 19 | Heavens-Above | 6.1 | No | — | Web, iOS, Android |
| 21 | SkyORB | 6.1 | No | — | Windows, Mac, iOS |
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Questions about KStars alternatives
What is the best alternative to KStars?
Celestia, number 1 in astronomy apps with a score of 7.7 out of 10. The others here: NASA Eyes, Solar System Scope, Cosmic Watch and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to KStars?
Celestia is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 11 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.