Heavens-Above vs Seestar App

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.

Seestar App controls Seestar telescopes and supports astronomical observation and imaging. Its Stargazing mode can find and focus on celestial objects, track them, and capture and process images automatically. The app also offers Scenery, Solar, and Lunar modes; solar and lunar targets can be tracked automatically, while Scenery provides manual direction control and autofocus. SkyAtlas supports searching celestial targets, viewing basic information, and one-tap GoTo alignment. The Home tab includes a gallery, shooting plans, and post-processing tools, alongside telescope settings, firmware updates, and battery and storage information. The maker says the app works with all Seestar models. For the S30 Pro, listed capabilities include a catalogue of 80,000+ deep-sky objects and 600,000+ stars, scheduled observing, remote control, and mosaic stitching. The S50 connects to a mobile device over its own Wi-Fi without internet, though internet is needed for first activation, accounts, data loading, Square features, and updates. The app is free and listed for Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows.