Review Insights · App Store
SkySafari
Simulation Curriculum Corp. · 17,650 ratings · ★ 4.7
4.7
★★★★★
17,650 ratings
🎯 Build a better version
Top complaints - extracted from 45 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"paid"
14 negative reviews mention this · 31% of all complaints
★★★★★ "A bit shady. I purchased this app only to be met with: - learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately - in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere - spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place -…" - DBarnsNY
2
"premium"
11 negative reviews mention this · 24% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Buyer policy aware. I paid for the app previously and now the app is asking me to pay again for premium content without any explanation. It only offers monthly or yearly subscription plans, but I already purchased permanent/lifetime access few months ago: Pl…" - Khris Amon
3
"subscription"
10 negative reviews mention this · 22% of all complaints
★★★★★ "A bit shady. I purchased this app only to be met with: - learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately - in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere - spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place -…" - DBarnsNY
4
"update"
7 negative reviews mention this · 16% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Bad programmers. This author failed to make my paid for iPad version update because it was an old iPad. Now they want $50 ? So I can wait for the next unsupported fail mode? There is a chance it was another app but I don’t think so." - TopQuark01
5
"bought"
7 negative reviews mention this · 16% of all complaints
★★★★★ "What a scam. Bought this because it shows their advertisement for the comet tonight C/2023 A3 but that was just a scam to get you to pay for an upgrade!!!" - lmb21
6
"refund"
6 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Misleading and Greedy. I feel like I just paid admission for an amusement park and then on top of that every time I get to a ride, I have to pay another fee. Me being my naïve self decided to think that because I spent money on an app not only would I get highe…" - YoullLoseTheBlues30
7
"version"
6 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "A bit shady. I purchased this app only to be met with: - learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately - in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere - spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place -…" - DBarnsNY
8
"purchased"
5 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "A bit shady. I purchased this app only to be met with: - learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately - in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere - spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place -…" - DBarnsNY
9
"since"
5 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "A bit shady. I purchased this app only to be met with: - learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately - in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere - spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place -…" - DBarnsNY
10
"purchase"
5 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "A bit shady. I purchased this app only to be met with: - learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately - in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere - spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place -…" - DBarnsNY
11
"access"
5 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Buyer policy aware. I paid for the app previously and now the app is asking me to pay again for premium content without any explanation. It only offers monthly or yearly subscription plans, but I already purchased permanent/lifetime access few months ago: Pl…" - Khris Amon
12
"basic"
5 negative reviews mention this · 11% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Misleading and Greedy. I feel like I just paid admission for an amusement park and then on top of that every time I get to a ride, I have to pay another fee. Me being my naïve self decided to think that because I spent money on an app not only would I get highe…" - YoullLoseTheBlues30
📋 All 45 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
A bit shady
I purchased this app only to be met with:
- learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately
- in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere
- spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place
- Multiple paid subscriptions in addition to what I already paid with no clear way to understand the differences in them all
I also noticed some of the really aggressive responses to feedback here. Just seems like a very strange business model packed with unclear communications, and salesy approach to stars. No idea how good this app is since its covered in a layer of misdirection and upgrade promos. Everything makes you feel like you made the wrong purchase.
- learning there are newer versions that need to be purchased separately
- in-app pop-ups and promos everywhere
- spam notifications on promos for the apps I should’ve purchased in the first place
- Multiple paid subscriptions in addition to what I already paid with no clear way to understand the differences in them all
I also noticed some of the really aggressive responses to feedback here. Just seems like a very strange business model packed with unclear communications, and salesy approach to stars. No idea how good this app is since its covered in a layer of misdirection and upgrade promos. Everything makes you feel like you made the wrong purchase.
Buyer policy aware
I paid for the app previously and now the app is asking me to pay again for premium content without any explanation. It only offers monthly or yearly subscription plans, but I already purchased permanent/lifetime access few months ago:
Please review my account and confirm why I am being asked to pay again.
Please review my account and confirm why I am being asked to pay again.
Misleading and Greedy
I feel like I just paid admission for an amusement park and then on top of that every time I get to a ride, I have to pay another fee.
Me being my naïve self decided to think that because I spent money on an app not only would I get higher quality, but wouldn’t be paywall behind another subscription service. One of the reasons why I picked this app over the other app was in the feature photos, it shows a quick overview of what is happening each night.
I pay for the app, I searched for this really neat feature to see what’s happening, and then guess what? I see a premium badge. I say oh I guess this is for me since I’ve paid money already for this app. But no actually just because you paid five dollars I guess makes you a basic sucker, sorry customer. No if you want to be premium give us either $2 dollars every month or $20 a year.
I’ve requested a refund. I don’t recommend this at all. Don’t advertise features that are behind a subscription with being explicit that the service is part of the subscription. It’s bad business practices.
Me being my naïve self decided to think that because I spent money on an app not only would I get higher quality, but wouldn’t be paywall behind another subscription service. One of the reasons why I picked this app over the other app was in the feature photos, it shows a quick overview of what is happening each night.
I pay for the app, I searched for this really neat feature to see what’s happening, and then guess what? I see a premium badge. I say oh I guess this is for me since I’ve paid money already for this app. But no actually just because you paid five dollars I guess makes you a basic sucker, sorry customer. No if you want to be premium give us either $2 dollars every month or $20 a year.
I’ve requested a refund. I don’t recommend this at all. Don’t advertise features that are behind a subscription with being explicit that the service is part of the subscription. It’s bad business practices.
Obvious errors!
Three short terms out of eight cardinal points of the compass in Chinese are wrong!!!
Subscription
A premium app with additional subscriptions, horrible.
Bad programmers
This author failed to make my paid for iPad version update because it was an old iPad. Now they want $50 ? So I can wait for the next unsupported fail mode? There is a chance it was another app but I don’t think so.
Buggin me
Paid $ but app keeps interupting for a review. F off figure out yourself whether people like based on whether they use it.
No good waste of time
Was no goid app is not the best night sky is still better
A big step backward
I had Sky Safari 5 Plus for years. After my last iPhone update, it stopped working and was apparently no longer supported, so I downloaded this app. Graphics and user options are terrible and do not compare to the older program.
Cost more than $2.99
I thought this app looked good and that I was buying a premium app for $2.99 unfortunately this amount allows you access to pay more monthly for their premium version.
A paid app you still can’t access
I paid $4.99 for this app and yet I am still unable to use the majority of the features unless I pay for a premium subscription?!!! What was the point of even buying this app then?? There is NOTHING that says you need a premium subscription after purchasing this! I tried “restore purchase” thinking maybe the app just offloaded, but no! Still can’t use anything! What a scam!
Didn’t enjoy
Tried once. Not as good as other apps.
Buyer Beware
I wanted an app that would help us find the Atlas Comet. A website said this app would do that, and the app icon is a comet. We paid the $4.99 for the app and then found out we would have to pay an expensive subscription price to get comet data. Comet info is considered “Premium”. I regret paying for the app and will seek a refund.
Limited view
I can’t see below the horizon on this app. I like that because I can see what constellations are about to rise.
Not sure if I can get a refund or not.
Not sure if I can get a refund or not.
What a scam
Bought this because it shows their advertisement for the comet tonight C/2023 A3 but that was just a scam to get you to pay for an upgrade!!!
This is just a paid ad to get the paid subscription
This app makes you feel like you’re getting temporary access, and you’re constantly reminded to upgrade. Not the eclipse app i paid for.
No premium, you don’t get anything for your .99c
If you don’t own are aren’t willing to purchase the premium, this is a ripoff. Wish I nkew before I paid.
Can I get a refund?
Can I get a refund?
Misleading!
I bought this app (for USD $1.99) via an advert which said SkySafari had 'lots' of info on the eclipse... but when I wished to use it, alas!, I need a 'premium subscription' to unlock the eclipse content. Incredibly poor; I used to like SkySafari, but that era has passed.
I bought the app to watch the eclipse and it keeps crashing.
I want my money back. I even paid for the premium subscription to watch it and my screen is totally black. Doesn’t work for me.
Please refund :(
Please refund :(
Features hidden behind subscription
Thanks for making it clear AFTeR purchasing the APP that a lot of features are hidden behind a subscription. What trash.
Premium app that sells premium subscription
Unfortunately I paid for this sky map app that has only the basic info without the satellites which they charge additional premium for. Besides that they even couldn’t display correct time it was one hour ahead.
I could have gotten the same or more for free. Compared to google sky this is a joke.
I could have gotten the same or more for free. Compared to google sky this is a joke.
No “advanced search”, false advertising
I bought this basic version of the app because I read online that SkySafari can search by multiple details like object type, magnitude, ascension, declination, altitude, azimuth, distance, etc. The description of this app lists “Advanced Search - find objects using properties other than their name”.
But this is a lie, the only search option is to find by name. $3 spent one a lie. Their website (which seems to be out of date by a version or 4 depending on which page your on) says there’s an “advanced search” option under the text entry field on the search interface - only there isn’t.
So I then paid $30 for the Pro version, thinking “oh, the advanced search must be in the pro version”. Nope, exactly same search functionality.
They need to be more clear about NOT offering advanced search options in their apps and I need a refund.
But this is a lie, the only search option is to find by name. $3 spent one a lie. Their website (which seems to be out of date by a version or 4 depending on which page your on) says there’s an “advanced search” option under the text entry field on the search interface - only there isn’t.
So I then paid $30 for the Pro version, thinking “oh, the advanced search must be in the pro version”. Nope, exactly same search functionality.
They need to be more clear about NOT offering advanced search options in their apps and I need a refund.
App interface issue
I’m trying to go back in time BC but this app return at the actual date with the most little mistake loosing al the time that you spend for looking back 6000 bc or more. There is no way to set a fast looking time. If you lock your date at the year 0 it return again to the actual date. Do not spend the extra money for this because it’s a faulty feature. I really want my money back
No grids
Can’t believe I don’t have grids in sky safari. Need to buy plus or pro. Cmon man!
Disappointed
I purchased the app hoping to avoid subscriptions and boom, 2nd thing I found.
Update
Update to v7.7.1.1 (1055) has rendered app useless(to me); what a shame…
please revert back to the original skysafari
I stopped using skysafari for months since the update incident. the update made the app complicated to use and very hard its not my favorite anymore.
Change is not always good
It used to be easy to change from hours to minutes etc. now I have to press this button then another. Bye bye!
Your response did not help. I’m not talking about the actual date and time. I used to have a box that I could advance the display by seconds, minutes, days, etc. that box is gone and now if I want to see what time the moon rises and where, I have no means. And sure, you put moonrise time on a different page, but it doesn’t tell me which direction to look. I’ve checked settings to see if it’s there but no.
Your response did not help. I’m not talking about the actual date and time. I used to have a box that I could advance the display by seconds, minutes, days, etc. that box is gone and now if I want to see what time the moon rises and where, I have no means. And sure, you put moonrise time on a different page, but it doesn’t tell me which direction to look. I’ve checked settings to see if it’s there but no.
Great App!
This Is Truly A Great App.
I have A Telescope And this app Is Great For It! I know if I’ll see the Moon Tonight, maybe Planets! Tonight I Saw Jupiter, my Telescope was Able to see Jupiter and It’s Moons! All Thanks To This App I Located It, This Map Also Has A Lot of Cool Facts! Amazing App Worth Getting.
I have A Telescope And this app Is Great For It! I know if I’ll see the Moon Tonight, maybe Planets! Tonight I Saw Jupiter, my Telescope was Able to see Jupiter and It’s Moons! All Thanks To This App I Located It, This Map Also Has A Lot of Cool Facts! Amazing App Worth Getting.
Stop sending sales reminder everyday.
Lately I have been getting a 50% sale reminder for safari pro and it’s getting annoying. How many in purchases do I have to buy to enjoy the basics I paid for before.
I just deleted the app for the annoyance notifications.
I just deleted the app for the annoyance notifications.
Where’s Comet Leonard
Feels like an attempt to make you purchase pro version. It’s a popular object getting public attention so should be in the dbase.
Constant ads & alerts, crappy interface & not as good as free apps
Get the free app Sky View Lite instead and save yourself a couple bucks - way better functionality and doesn’t have any ads or alerts that I’ve found so far. I’m not working for that app developer, just telling you so you don’t make my mistake. No idea why this one is rated so highly - not worth even a free download.
Notifications at 4 am??
Seriously folks, Black Friday notifications at 4:00 in the morning!
So, I just got robbed….
I got a notification from my Apple Card saying that your app charged me $2.99. I have not bought anything in the app at all. I got the app for free as it was posted. Used it twice and forgot about it. What the heck!
Missing key features shown in preview
I bought this app for the Observe and Scope features which are shown in the app preview screenshots but this version does not have these options, you have to purchase the higher up versions in order to access these 2 key features.
Very disappointed
Very appointed. Can’t get deep sky to work. This app is useless for deep sky observing.
Practically useless on my iPhone 8 using IOS 14.1
I’m not an astronomer. One of the main reasons I got this app was to LEARN, and the fact the phone would automatically adjust what was shown on the screen as I moved it around was a big selling point. My phone will not do this basic function. I have location services on (system does show correct location), but whether I have compass on or AR running (as shown by the blank compass and little “AR” on the screen), my phone screen is static, no matter where I point it. I can manually move the screen around, but that’s pointless because I don’t know what the heck I’m pointing at. Selecting an object on the phone is useless because I don’t know if there’s any correlation between the real world and what I’m selecting on the app. It’s been this way since I downloaded this piece of junk. This is my first attempt to get it fixed; if the developers can get it working I’ll update my review.
Do not pay for this app
I just purchased this app and anything I’m zooming, it is all blackout. I’m using default settings, on regular iPhone. This is just a waste of money
Paid for functionality that isn’t present
Purchased premium to connect my tracking mount to their map and it has no way to connect to my SynScan mount.
Not very good that I saw an App couple years ago
Just okay but not very good like another App that I saw couple years ago, I don’t remember that name.
Ecliptic and planet paths not available
Ugh
Like the app, but owe me the Pro version
I had the Pro version for years, but hadn’t use for awhile. When I opened the app it kept crashing. I tried everything that I found online to fix it with no success. I repurchased the basic app and hoped since I was already registered it would automatically update with Pro. Nope. I’m out my original $70+ and the $2.99 for the basic version.
directions are reversed
every time i use this app and use the compass so i can move it around and see what’s where i’m pointing my phone the directions are reversed. north is in the south and east is in the west and vice versa. it is very annoying. it never use to do that when i first got it but now it does it every time.
Where is Comet Leonard?
It's Dec4th and Comet Leonard is not to be found in your data base. What gives?
Love the app, but was forgotten
I’ve used SkySafari for years. After the last iOS update, the app stopped working with a message that required the seller to update the app. No way around this. So, out of frustration and need, I bought it again. Hopefully someone at SkySafari will see this.
Sentiment summary
94%
Positive (4-5★)
3%
Neutral (3★)
3%
Negative (1-2★)