Satellite tracking has come a long way from squinting at printed pass tables and hoping for the best. In 2026, there are more apps than ever promising to help you find the International Space Station, Starlink trains, and hundreds of other spacecraft crossing the night sky. But which ones are actually worth your time?
We spent weeks testing every major satellite tracking app available across iOS, Android, and the web. We compared their pass prediction accuracy, augmented reality features, satellite catalogs, notification systems, and user interfaces. Some of these apps have been around for over a decade; others are brand new.
This guide breaks down the eight best options in detail, with honest assessments of each app's strengths and weaknesses. Complete beginners, seasoned observers, and launch-day enthusiasts alike will find something here. We will start with a side-by-side overview, then dig into each one individually.
Quick Comparison
Before diving into the individual reviews, here is how all eight apps stack up across the key features that matter most to satellite trackers.
| App | Platform | AR Tracking | Pass Predictions | Satellites | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skytrail | iOS | Yes | Yes | 2,000+ | All-in-one tracking |
| Orbitrack | iOS/Mac | Yes | Yes | 200+ | Apple ecosystem |
| ISS Detector | Android | No | Yes | 50+ | Android + ISS |
| Heavens-Above | Web/Android | No | Yes | 1,000+ | Data accuracy |
| Satellite Tracker (Star Walk) | iOS/Android | Yes | Limited | 20+ | Casual users |
| GoSatWatch | iOS | Yes | Yes | 500+ | Serious trackers |
| Stellarium Mobile | iOS/Android | Yes | No | N/A | General stargazing |
| N2YO | Web | No | Yes | 20,000+ | Web-based tracking |
Now for the individual reviews.
1. Skytrail
Skytrail is the newest entry on this list, and it is built from the ground up specifically for satellite spotters. Rather than retrofitting satellite tracking into a general astronomy app, Skytrail focuses entirely on the experience of finding, identifying, and logging satellites and space station passes.
The app's standout feature is its augmented reality sky view with crosshair guidance. Point your phone at the sky and Skytrail overlays the satellite's predicted position onto your camera feed, with a guiding crosshair that leads you to the right spot. This is genuinely useful for dimmer passes where you know a satellite is up there but cannot quite pick it out from the background stars.
Skytrail tracks over 2,000 satellites with detailed pass predictions, including quality scores and brightness ratings for each pass. You can build a personal fleet of favorite satellites, assign them nicknames, and track your sighting history over time. The app includes a full launch tracker with countdowns, mission details, and links to livestreams, something most competing apps simply do not offer.
The gamification layer is surprisingly well-executed. There are 21 achievements to earn, from spotting your first satellite to logging sightings of five different space stations, along with global leaderboards that let you compare your progress with other trackers. Live Activities on the lock screen provide real-time updates during active passes without needing to keep the app open.
- Modern, polished interface designed for satellite tracking specifically
- AR guidance with crosshair makes finding satellites intuitive
- 2,000+ satellite catalog with quality-scored pass predictions
- Integrated launch tracking with countdowns and livestreams
- Achievement system and global leaderboards add motivation
- Live Activities for lock screen updates during passes
- Frequent updates planned with active development
Skytrail is currently in development and launching in 2026. Join the waitlist to be notified when it's available.
Note: Skytrail is iOS-only and is not yet publicly released. Android users will need to look elsewhere for now.
2. Orbitrack
Orbitrack has long been one of the most polished satellite tracking apps on iOS, and it continues to hold that reputation in 2026. If you are deeply invested in the Apple ecosystem and want a beautifully designed experience, Orbitrack is hard to beat.
The app's 3D globe visualization is arguably the best in any satellite tracker. You can spin, zoom, and tilt a rendered Earth model to see satellite orbits in real time, with day/night shading and ground tracks beautifully rendered. It feels more like a space simulation than a utility app. The AR view is also well-implemented, overlaying satellite positions onto your camera feed with smooth, responsive tracking.
Pass predictions are accurate and clearly presented, with sky charts showing the predicted trajectory of each satellite across your local sky. The interface is clean and intuitive, following Apple's design language closely. On the Mac, Orbitrack offers a companion experience with a larger canvas for the globe view.
The main limitation is the satellite catalog. Orbitrack curates approximately 200 satellites rather than offering the full NORAD catalog. For most casual observers, this covers everything you need: the ISS, Tiangong, Hubble, major Starlink batches, and a solid selection of other bright satellites. But if you want to track more obscure objects, you may find the selection limiting.
Orbitrack is a one-time purchase with no ads, subscriptions, or feature gates.
- Beautiful design with stunning 3D globe visualization
- Tight Apple ecosystem integration (iOS + macOS)
- One-time purchase with no ongoing costs
- Good AR tracking with smooth performance
- Clean, intuitive interface that feels native
Note: Smaller satellite catalog of around 200 objects. No launch tracking feature. No achievement or gamification system. Apple-only, so no Android or web version.
3. ISS Detector
For Android users, ISS Detector has been the go-to satellite tracking app for years, and it remains one of the best options on the platform in 2026. It does exactly what its name suggests: it detects when the International Space Station is passing over your location and alerts you so you can step outside and watch.
The core experience is simple: ISS Detector calculates upcoming ISS passes for your location, displays them in a clear timeline, and sends push notifications a few minutes before each visible pass. Each prediction includes the rise and set times, maximum altitude, brightness, and compass direction. The predictions are reliably accurate, usually within a few seconds of the actual pass.
What makes ISS Detector particularly appealing is its extension system. The base app is free and covers the ISS, but you can purchase extensions to add tracking for planets, comets, Iridium flares (from remaining first-gen satellites), amateur radio satellites, and the Hubble Space Telescope. This modular approach lets you customize the app to your interests without paying for features you do not need.
The app also factors in weather conditions, showing cloud cover forecasts alongside pass predictions. This is genuinely useful. There is nothing more disappointing than setting an alarm for a pass only to walk outside and find overcast skies.
The free version is fully functional for ISS tracking. A Pro upgrade removes ads and unlocks some additional features.
- Free with fully functional ISS tracking
- Reliable, accurate pass predictions
- Extension system for planets, comets, and additional satellites
- Weather integration with cloud cover forecasts
- Native Android experience with reliable notifications
- Affordable Pro upgrade and extensions
Note: Android only, not available on iOS. The satellite catalog beyond extensions is limited. The interface is functional but feels dated compared to newer apps. No AR tracking feature.
Track 2,000+ Satellites with AR
Skytrail combines precise pass predictions, real-time AR tracking, and launch coverage in one beautifully designed app.
Launching 2026. No spam.
4. Heavens-Above
If accuracy and data depth are your top priorities, Heavens-Above is the gold standard. It has been providing satellite pass predictions since the early days of the internet, and its track record for reliability is unmatched. Countless amateur astronomers and satellite spotters have relied on Heavens-Above as their primary prediction source for more than two decades.
The web interface is where Heavens-Above truly shines. It provides detailed pass predictions for a huge catalog of satellites, over 1,000 objects, with precise timing, magnitude estimates, and interactive sky charts that show exactly where the satellite will appear, peak, and disappear relative to the constellations. You can generate 10-day prediction tables, view ground tracks on a world map, and access detailed orbital element data for any tracked object.
The Android app brings much of this functionality to mobile, though it is more of a companion to the website than a standalone experience. It handles pass notifications and basic prediction viewing, but for the full analytical experience, the website remains the better tool.
Heavens-Above is completely free with no premium tier, no ads on the website, and no account required. This is a passion project maintained for the community, and it shows in the depth of data available.
The tradeoff is the user experience. The Heavens-Above website looks like it was designed in the early 2000s, because it largely was. Navigation is unintuitive, the learning curve is steep for newcomers, and there are no modern niceties like AR tracking, smooth animations, or push notifications from the web version. If you already know what you are looking for, it is an incredibly powerful tool. If you are a beginner trying to see the ISS for the first time, the interface can feel overwhelming.
For a deeper look at how Heavens-Above compares to more modern alternatives, see our detailed Heavens-Above vs. Skytrail comparison.
- Extremely accurate predictions with decades of proven reliability
- Large satellite database with 1,000+ objects
- Completely free with no ads on the website
- Detailed sky charts with constellation overlays
- Deep orbital data for advanced users
Note: Dated interface with a steep learning curve. No augmented reality feature. Web-first experience; the Android app is limited. No iOS app. No launch tracking or gamification features.
5. Satellite Tracker by Star Walk
Vito Technology's Satellite Tracker is part of the popular Star Walk family of astronomy apps, and it carries that lineage's emphasis on visual appeal and ease of use. If you are looking for something you can hand to a friend or family member and have them pointing at the ISS within two minutes, this is probably your best bet.
The AR camera view is well-implemented and responsive. Point your phone at the sky and the app overlays satellite positions with smooth tracking. The interface is colorful and approachable, with large icons and minimal text. It is the kind of app that makes satellite tracking feel fun and accessible rather than technical.
The limitation is in the catalog. Satellite Tracker focuses on roughly 20 popular satellites: the ISS, Hubble, Tiangong, a handful of Starlink objects, and a selection of other well-known spacecraft. For casual observers who mainly want to track the big, bright, famous ones, this is fine. But if you are trying to spot a specific weather satellite or amateur radio payload, you will not find it here.
Pass predictions are adequate for the ISS and other major objects but less precise for the smaller satellites in the catalog. Notifications are basic. You can set alerts for ISS passes, but the customization options are limited compared to dedicated trackers.
The free version includes ads. A Pro upgrade removes them and unlocks a few additional features.
- Very easy to use with a beginner-friendly interface
- Nice AR camera view with smooth tracking
- Cross-platform (iOS and Android)
- Part of the trusted Star Walk app family
- Free to get started
Note: Very limited satellite catalog of around 20 objects. Predictions are less precise for non-ISS satellites. Limited notification customization. The free version includes ads.
6. GoSatWatch
GoSatWatch is a veteran iOS satellite tracker that has quietly served a loyal community of serious satellite observers for years. It occupies a middle ground between the curated simplicity of Orbitrack and the data-heavy approach of Heavens-Above, offering a large catalog in a native mobile experience.
The app tracks over 500 satellites, which is one of the larger catalogs available on mobile. You can browse by category (scientific, communication, weather, amateur radio, and more) or search for specific objects by name or NORAD catalog number. Pass predictions are calculated locally on your device using SGP4 propagation, and they are reliably accurate.
GoSatWatch includes an AR compass view that overlays satellite positions onto your camera feed. It is functional, though not as visually refined as some newer implementations. The app also provides a flat sky chart view that clearly shows the predicted trajectory of each pass, along with detailed timing information for rise, peak, and set.
Notifications are configurable, letting you set brightness thresholds and minimum elevation angles for the passes you want to be alerted about. This is a nice touch that helps filter out the many dim, low-elevation passes that are technically visible but not worth going outside for.
GoSatWatch is a one-time purchase with no subscriptions, in-app purchases, or ads.
- Large satellite catalog with 500+ objects
- Good prediction accuracy using SGP4 propagation
- One-time purchase with no ongoing costs
- AR compass view for finding satellites
- Configurable notifications with brightness filtering
Note: The interface feels dated compared to newer apps. No launch tracking or mission information. Limited community or social features. iOS only.
7. Stellarium Mobile
Stellarium is one of the most respected names in amateur astronomy software, and the mobile version brings its stunning planetarium experience to phones and tablets. But to be clear: Stellarium is not a satellite tracking app. It is a full-featured stargazing app with satellite tracking as a secondary feature.
What Stellarium does extraordinarily well is render the night sky. The star map is gorgeous: detailed, accurate, and visually stunning, with constellation art, deep-sky object catalogs, and realistic rendering of the Milky Way. The AR mode overlays this star map onto your camera view, creating a "magic window" effect that makes identifying stars, planets, and constellations intuitive and delightful.
Satellites are included as an overlay layer. You can see the positions of major spacecraft on the sky map, and the app will show you where the ISS and other large objects are at any given moment. However, Stellarium does not provide pass predictions. It will not tell you when the next ISS pass happens at your location or send you a notification before a good pass. You have to open the app, enable the satellite layer, and check manually whether anything is overhead right now.
For satellite tracking specifically, this is a significant limitation. If you want to plan your observing sessions around predicted passes, you will need a different app for that and then switch to Stellarium for the beautiful star map context if you want it.
The free version of Stellarium Mobile is capable but limited. The Plus version unlocks the full deep-sky catalog, high-resolution textures, telescope control, and other advanced astronomy features.
- Stunning, photorealistic sky rendering
- Excellent AR mode for general stargazing
- Cross-platform with consistent experience
- Deep astronomy catalog beyond satellites
- Trusted brand with decades of development
Note: Not designed for satellite tracking specifically. No pass predictions or notifications. No satellite-specific features like brightness ratings or trajectory charts.
8. N2YO
N2YO is the powerhouse for anyone who wants access to the widest possible satellite catalog through a web browser. With over 20,000 trackable objects, including active satellites, rocket bodies, and debris, N2YO dwarfs every other option on this list in terms of sheer catalog size.
The website displays real-time satellite positions on a world map, letting you zoom in to see exactly which objects are passing over any location on Earth. You can search for specific satellites by name, NORAD ID, or international designator. Each satellite page shows the current position, orbital parameters, a ground track map, and 10-day pass predictions for your location.
N2YO also provides useful data visualizations, including a "most tracked" list that shows which satellites are currently popular among users, and a "just launched" section highlighting recently deployed objects. For researchers, students, and data enthusiasts, this breadth of information is invaluable.
The tradeoff, as with Heavens-Above, is the user experience. N2YO is a web-only tool with no native mobile app. The interface is utilitarian and information-dense, prioritizing data access over visual design. There is no AR tracking, no push notifications, and no mobile-optimized experience beyond what your browser provides. Using it on a phone is possible but not particularly pleasant.
On the plus side, N2YO is completely free and requires no account to use. You can bookmark the pass predictions page for your location and check it whenever you want to plan a viewing session.
- Massive catalog of 20,000+ tracked objects
- Completely free with no account required
- No installation needed, works in any browser
- 10-day pass predictions for any location
- Real-time position tracking on world map
- Excellent for research and data exploration
Note: Web-only with no native mobile app. No AR tracking. Utilitarian interface that prioritizes data over design. No push notifications. Not ideal for in-the-field use during observing sessions.
How to Choose the Right Satellite Tracking App
With eight solid options to choose from, the right app for you depends on what you value most and how you plan to use it. Here are some practical recommendations based on common scenarios.
If you are a beginner: Start with Satellite Tracker by Star Walk for the easiest learning curve, or Skytrail for a guided experience with AR crosshair tracking that literally points you at the satellite. Both prioritize simplicity and getting you to your first sighting as quickly as possible.
If you are on Android: ISS Detector is the best native option and should be your starting point. Its reliable notifications and weather integration make it the most practical tool for regular ISS watching on Android. Supplement it with Heavens-Above for access to a broader satellite catalog when you want to track beyond the ISS.
If you want deep data: Heavens-Above and N2YO are unmatched for data depth and catalog size. Heavens-Above offers the most precise pass predictions with detailed sky charts, while N2YO provides the widest catalog including debris and spent rocket bodies. Both are free, so there is no reason not to bookmark both.
If you want the best all-in-one experience: Skytrail aims to combine accurate pass predictions, AR tracking, launch coverage, and gamification in a single app. If having satellite tracking, launch countdowns, and an achievement system in one place appeals to you, it is worth joining the waitlist. For a proven all-in-one experience available right now, Orbitrack on iOS offers a polished combination of features.
A few factors to weigh regardless of which app you are considering:
- Platform: The most beautifully designed apps tend to be iOS-only. Android users have fewer native options but ISS Detector and Heavens-Above are both strong. Web tools like N2YO work everywhere.
- Catalog size: If you only care about the ISS and a handful of bright satellites, any app will do. If you want to track hundreds of objects, look at GoSatWatch, Skytrail, or the web-based tools.
- AR tracking: If you want to point your phone at the sky and see satellite positions overlaid on your camera, you need Skytrail, Orbitrack, GoSatWatch, Satellite Tracker, or Stellarium. Heavens-Above, ISS Detector, and N2YO do not offer this.
- Free vs. paid: Free options like Heavens-Above, N2YO, and ISS Detector are genuinely capable and fully functional. Dedicated apps like Orbitrack, GoSatWatch, and Skytrail offer richer features and more polished experiences.
- Launch tracking: If you follow rocket launches alongside satellite tracking, Skytrail is currently the only dedicated satellite app that integrates launch coverage with countdowns and livestreams.
The best app depends on you. Try two or three options that match your platform and interests, spend a week with each, and keep the one that fits your routine.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the most accurate satellite tracking app?
Heavens-Above has the longest track record for prediction accuracy, with over two decades of reliable pass data. However, any app using SGP4 orbital mechanics with up-to-date NORAD TLE data, including Skytrail, Orbitrack, and GoSatWatch, will produce similarly precise predictions. The differences in timing accuracy between these top apps are typically measured in seconds, not minutes. For most observers, all of the dedicated tracking apps on this list are accurate enough to get you looking at the right part of the sky at the right time.
Do I need a dedicated satellite tracking app?
Not necessarily. Heavens-Above and N2YO are completely free and provide excellent pass predictions with large satellite catalogs. ISS Detector's free tier is also fully functional for ISS tracking. That said, dedicated apps like Skytrail, Orbitrack, and GoSatWatch offer significantly better user experiences: cleaner interfaces, augmented reality tracking, intelligent push notifications, and additional features like launch tracking and sighting logs. If you plan to track satellites regularly, a dedicated app is usually worth it.
Which app tracks the most satellites?
N2YO tracks over 20,000 objects in orbit, including active satellites, rocket bodies, and debris, making it the largest catalog by far. For dedicated mobile apps, Skytrail tracks over 2,000 visible satellites with pass predictions. GoSatWatch offers around 500, and Orbitrack provides a curated catalog of about 200. Most casual observers will never need more than a few hundred tracked objects. What matters is whether the app includes the specific satellites you care about, not the raw number in the database.
Satellite tracking in 2026 is better served by apps than it has ever been. From free web tools with massive catalogs to polished iOS apps with gorgeous 3D visuals, there is something here for every type of observer. The best approach is to pick one or two that match your needs and start using them. The satellites are up there every night, and these apps make finding them easier than ever. For a practical starting guide on what to do once you have your app of choice, check out our guide on how to spot a satellite.