Gaia Sky vs SkyORB
Gaia Sky
gaiasky.spaceSkyORB
skyorb.appSide by side
| Figure | Gaia Sky | SkyORB |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | — |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Spec score · Astronomy Apps | 9.0 (#1) | 8.9 (#2) |
| Founded | ESA describes Gaia Sky as an open-source project developed since 2014. | 1994 |
| Integrations | SAMP support enables interoperability with Topcat and Aladin. | SkyORB ∞ uses ARKit for automatic location detection, according to the maker’s development post. |
| Privacy | The website says it does not use cookies, tracking codes, analytics scripts, or other privacy-invasive mechanisms. | The privacy policy says the app does not collect personal information, require an account, track users, or store usage data on company servers. |
| Support | The project directs bug reports and feature requests to its source repository and says old releases are not supported. | The maker directs users to contact SkyORB support at [email protected]. |
| What it does | Gaia Sky is a real-time 3D astronomy visualisation platform for desktop and virtual reality, built to explore scientific datasets. | SkyORB is an astronomy app with a 3D planetarium, real-time sky charts, satellite tracking, and location-based notifications and schedules. |
Plans
SkyORB
- SkyORB ClassicFree
- SkyORB ∞ for iOS, tvOS and Apple Watch$4.99, paid once
- SkyORB ∞ for Mac$6.99, paid once
In their own words
SkyORB
SkyORB is an astronomy app for exploring the sky, the Solar System, and astronomical events. SkyORB ∞ combines a real-time 3D planetarium and sky chart with augmented reality, so astronomical information can be viewed over the surroundings. Users can choose an observation location or allow location access, then view the sky at different dates and times. Its event calendar and notifications cover occasions including meteor showers, eclipses, sunrise, sunset, moonrise, and moonset. The app also tracks satellites and provides information about planets, asteroids, and deep-space objects. SkyORB Classic includes a star catalog, an interactive map with multiple projections, meteor-shower forecasts, and solar and lunar data. The maker lists Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows; SkyORB ∞ is also listed for Apple Watch and tvOS. SkyORB Classic is free. SkyORB ∞ for iOS, tvOS and Apple Watch is $4.99, paid once, and SkyORB ∞ for Mac is $6.99, paid once.