Heavens-Above vs Solar System Scope

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.

Solar System Scope models the Solar System, night sky and outer space, showing object positions alongside related facts. Its 3D encyclopedia covers planets, dwarf planets and major moons with visualizations. The night-sky view can show stars and constellations from a chosen location on Earth and simulate skies from past or future times; the mobile version also lets users point a device toward the sky to find celestial objects. The maker says its calculations use NASA-published orbital parameters, and its planet and moon maps use NASA elevation and imagery data, with colors tuned against spacecraft and Hubble imagery. The Android encyclopedia is available in 19 languages. Solar System Scope runs on Android, iOS, macOS, web and Windows. The online version is free, as are mobile apps with optional in-app purchases. The Windows and Mac desktop app costs $9.80, paid once and includes fullscreen and offline modes. The maker also provides embed code for websites and textures for image viewing or 3D rendering.