Heavens-Above vs KStars
Heavens-Above
heavens-above.com
KStars
kstars.kde.orgSide by side
| Figure | Heavens-Above | KStars |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Astronomy Apps | 8.4 (#7) | 7.9 (#13) |
| Privacy | The privacy policy says the site collects browser and visit information, including IP addresses, and may use cookies to track site use and preferences. | KDE's software privacy policy says KDE software generally does not transmit information from users' devices except as a result of explicit user action, with some exceptions described in the policy. |
| Purpose | Heavens-Above provides predictions and information for observing satellites and other objects in the sky. | KStars is desktop planetarium software for students, educators, amateur astronomers and astronomy enthusiasts. |
Plans
In their own words
Heavens-Above
Heavens-Above provides satellite predictions and sky information through Android, iOS and web access. The website lists 10-day predictions for selected satellites, daily predictions for brighter satellites and Starlink passes from a launch. It also offers a live sky view, interactive sky chart, dynamic 3D Starlink orbit display and interactive 3D ISS visualization. Charts and information cover the Sun, Moon, planets, comets, asteroids and constellations. The Android app includes predictions for the ISS, visible satellites and radio satellites, plus orbit and ground-track views, night mode and an orientation-based tracker. Selected passes can be added to a device calendar. Predictions run locally, with a data connection needed every few days. The free plan costs nothing; Heavens-Above Pro costs $4.99, paid once and removes Android adverts. Predictions become less accurate farther from the current date.