Our top 10, at a glance.

Choose an app that answers when the Moon will rise, where to look, and how much planning detail is useful for the outing.

  1. #1MoonlittFor a polished lunar dashboard
  2. #2My Moon PhaseFor a quick free calendar
  3. #3Moonrise MomentFor getting outside at moonrise
  4. #4PhotoPillsFor planned moon photography
  5. #5The Photographer’s EphemerisFor terrain-aware map planning
  6. #6Lunar: Moon Phase & WidgetsFor visual phases and widgets
  7. #7Moon TrackerFor lunar-path visualization
  8. #8Deluxe Moon ProFor dense lunar reference
  9. #9PlanIt ProFor advanced scene planning
  10. #10MoonXFor lunar lifestyle features

All 10 picks, in order.

  1. #1

    For a polished lunar dashboard

    Moonlitt

    Apple users wanting a broad, design-led tracker with calendar, widgets, and AR.

    Why it fits

    • For a polished lunar dashboard: Provides moon phase, illumination, age, moonrise, moonset, culmination, calendar, events, and notifications. [2]
    • Access and fit: Available across supported Apple devices with widgets, Apple Watch, and Live Activity features. [1]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Its broad feature set and premium packaging may be more than someone needs for tonight’s rise.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: Moonlitt · US Apple-platform app · US

    Check current details at Flipping Hues ↗

  2. #2

    For a quick free calendar

    My Moon Phase

    Casual skywatchers who want phase and rise-time lookup with photography-light context.

    Why it fits

    • For a quick free calendar: Shows phases for selected dates plus local rise and set times, illumination, and photography light windows. [5]
    • Access and fit: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access. [4]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Its ad-supported general calendar is less focused on guiding one immediate moonrise outing.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: My Moon Phase · US iPhone and iPad app · US

    Check current details at JRustonApps ↗

  3. Moonrise Moment app shown against a moonrise over the coast
    #3

    For getting outside at moonrise

    Moonrise Moment

    People who want one focused answer for when to go out and which direction to face.

    Why it fits

    • For getting outside at moonrise: Shows the next local moonrise, phase, countdown, a full-cycle forecast, and optional notifications or Live Activity. [8]
    • Access and fit: Runs on iPhone and iPad without requiring an account for the core workflow. [7]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Terrain and device-compass guidance are estimates; buildings, trees, haze, and sensor conditions can change what is visible.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: Moonrise Moment · US iPhone and iPad app · US

    Check current details at Moonrise Moment ↗

  4. #4

    For planned moon photography

    PhotoPills

    Photographers aligning the Moon with a landmark or planning a specific composition.

    Why it fits

    • For planned moon photography: Calculates Sun, Moon, Milky Way, phase, and rise or set information for chosen dates and locations. [11]
    • Access and fit: Runs on supported iPhone and iPad devices as a broad photography-planning toolkit. [10]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Its professional breadth and learning curve are unnecessary for a simple evening walk.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: PhotoPills · US iPhone and iPad photography app · US

    Check current details at PhotoPills ↗

  5. #5

    For terrain-aware map planning

    The Photographer’s Ephemeris

    Landscape photographers who need deliberate alignment and horizon context.

    Why it fits

    • For terrain-aware map planning: Calculates Moon and Sun rise, set, phase, and position for chosen dates and map locations. [14]
    • Access and fit: Provides mobile and web planning tools for natural-light photographers. [13]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • The map-centric workflow takes more setup than a one-screen moonrise alert.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: The Photographer’s Ephemeris · US iPhone and iPad photography app · US

    Check current details at Crookneck Consulting ↗

  6. #6

    For visual phases and widgets

    Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets

    Apple users who want an attractive phase display close at hand.

    Why it fits

    • For visual phases and widgets: Provides a visual phase model, calendar, rise and set information, and future-date browsing. [17]
    • Access and fit: The US listing identifies Apple-device access and widgets. [16]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Current paid-feature boundaries and exact direction tools should be checked in the app.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets · US Apple-platform app · US

    Check current details at Lunar ↗

  7. #7

    For lunar-path visualization

    Moon Tracker

    Apple users who want tabular Moon data and several ways to visualize its path.

    Why it fits

    • For lunar-path visualization: Provides phase, age, illumination, rise, set, culmination, eclipse, and supermoon calendar data. [20]
    • Access and fit: The US listing identifies iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch access. [19]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Free access is limited to current time and location according to the listing.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: Moon Tracker · US iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch app · US

    Check current details at Zuzana Eskinasi ↗

  8. #8

    For dense lunar reference

    Deluxe Moon Pro

    Enthusiasts who prefer many diagrams, tables, and calendar details in one app.

    Why it fits

    • For dense lunar reference: Provides moon phases, calendars, rise and set data, lunar events, and detailed tables. [23]
    • Access and fit: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access with widgets. [22]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • The information density can require more interpretation than a focused rise screen.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: Deluxe Moon Pro · US iPhone and iPad app · US

    Check current details at Lifeware Solutions ↗

  9. #9

    For advanced scene planning

    PlanIt Pro

    Photographers who want to model a detailed future shot rather than only check the next rise.

    Why it fits

    • For advanced scene planning: Plans Moon, Sun, Milky Way, eclipse, and other photography events by date and location. [26]
    • Access and fit: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access. [25]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • Specialist modules and controls add complexity for casual moon watching.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: PlanIt Pro · US iPhone and iPad photography app · US

    Check current details at JIDE Software ↗

  10. #10

    For lunar lifestyle features

    MoonX

    People who want astronomy data inside a much broader spiritual or wellness routine.

    Why it fits

    • For lunar lifestyle features: Combines phase calendar, rise and set data, lunar events, and notifications. [29]
    • Access and fit: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access. [28]

    Before you choose

    Check before buying:

    • The extra content can distract users seeking only observational moonrise planning.
    • Confirm current availability, compatibility, account requirements, and plan boundaries before committing to this option.

    Model: MoonX · US iPhone and iPad app · US

    Check current details at MoonX ↗

The details, side by side.

Published specifications and features
What matters#1Moonlitt#2My Moon Phase#3Moonrise Moment#4PhotoPills#5The Photographer’s Ephemeris#6Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets#7Moon Tracker#8Deluxe Moon Pro#9PlanIt Pro#10MoonX
PlatformAvailable across supported Apple devices with widgets, Apple Watch, and Live Activity features. [1]The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access. [4]Runs on iPhone and iPad without requiring an account for the core workflow. [7]Runs on supported iPhone and iPad devices as a broad photography-planning toolkit. [10]Provides mobile and web planning tools for natural-light photographers. [13]The US listing identifies Apple-device access and widgets. [16]The US listing identifies iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch access. [19]The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access with widgets. [22]The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access. [25]The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access. [28]
ForecastProvides moon phase, illumination, age, moonrise, moonset, culmination, calendar, events, and notifications. [2]Shows phases for selected dates plus local rise and set times, illumination, and photography light windows. [5]Shows the next local moonrise, phase, countdown, a full-cycle forecast, and optional notifications or Live Activity. [8]Calculates Sun, Moon, Milky Way, phase, and rise or set information for chosen dates and locations. [11]Calculates Moon and Sun rise, set, phase, and position for chosen dates and map locations. [14]Provides a visual phase model, calendar, rise and set information, and future-date browsing. [17]Provides phase, age, illumination, rise, set, culmination, eclipse, and supermoon calendar data. [20]Provides moon phases, calendars, rise and set data, lunar events, and detailed tables. [23]Plans Moon, Sun, Milky Way, eclipse, and other photography events by date and location. [26]Combines phase calendar, rise and set data, lunar events, and notifications. [29]
DirectionIncludes compass, map, and augmented-reality views of the Moon’s path. [3]Provides altitude and azimuth information with location selection rather than a specialized next-rise compass workflow. [6]Points toward the next rise while the Moon is down and toward the Moon while it is up, with terrain-aware first-visible guidance. [9]Uses map planning, alignment tools, saved plans, and augmented reality for composition scouting. [12]Offers map lines, line-of-sight, augmented reality, saved locations, and terrain-aware planning tools. [15]Uses interactive 3D presentation and device views rather than a single-purpose rise finder. [18]Includes 2D and 3D lunar-path maps plus an augmented-reality path projection. [21]Presents extensive lunar diagrams and astronomical information rather than a minimal outing flow. [24]Provides map, viewfinder, augmented-reality, and specialist planning modules. [27]Includes a Moon compass alongside astrology, journaling, meditation, and other lifestyle content. [30]

Compare device access

The ten options differ in device access. Check the documented fit against the exact person, device, or operating workflow before choosing. [1] [4] [7] [10] [13] [16] [19] [22] [25] [28]

Compare rise and phase forecast

The ten options differ in rise and phase forecast. Check the documented fit against the exact person, device, or operating workflow before choosing. [2] [5] [8] [11] [14] [17] [20] [23] [26] [29]

Compare direction tools

The ten options differ in direction tools. Check the documented fit against the exact person, device, or operating workflow before choosing. [3] [6] [9] [12] [15] [18] [21] [24] [27] [30]

How we compared.

Source-based desk research from official provider, publisher, product, support, and App Store pages reviewed September 9, 2026. Ranking prioritizes rise and phase forecast, then device access, then direction tools; practical caveats break close ties. The owner nomination disclosed on this page was not a ranking input. Provider claims are treated as specifications, not as proof of quality, accuracy, outcomes, or ease of use.

How we choose

Sources

Official product documentation, reviewed September 9, 2026.

Moonlitt official product information ↗

Flipping Hues · US · Read September 10, 2026

My Moon Phase official product information ↗

JRustonApps · US · Read September 10, 2026

Moonrise Moment official product information ↗

Moonrise Moment · US · Read September 10, 2026

PhotoPills official product information ↗

PhotoPills · US · Read September 10, 2026

The Photographer’s Ephemeris official product information ↗

Crookneck Consulting · US · Read September 10, 2026

Moon Tracker official product information ↗

Zuzana Eskinasi · US · Read September 10, 2026

Deluxe Moon Pro official product information ↗

Lifeware Solutions · US · Read September 10, 2026

PlanIt Pro official product information ↗

JIDE Software · US · Read September 10, 2026

MoonX official product information ↗

MoonX · US · Read September 10, 2026

Detailed source notes
  1. Moonlitt: Available across supported Apple devices with widgets, Apple Watch, and Live Activity features.

    Exact US Apple-platform app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moonlitt official product information · Official device access documentation
    Available across supported Apple devices with widgets, Apple Watch, and Live Activity features.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  2. Moonlitt: Provides moon phase, illumination, age, moonrise, moonset, culmination, calendar, events, and notifications.

    Exact US Apple-platform app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moonlitt official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Provides moon phase, illumination, age, moonrise, moonset, culmination, calendar, events, and notifications.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  3. Moonlitt: Includes compass, map, and augmented-reality views of the Moon’s path.

    Exact US Apple-platform app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moonlitt official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Includes compass, map, and augmented-reality views of the Moon’s path.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  4. My Moon Phase: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    My Moon Phase official product information · Official device access documentation
    The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  5. My Moon Phase: Shows phases for selected dates plus local rise and set times, illumination, and photography light windows.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    My Moon Phase official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Shows phases for selected dates plus local rise and set times, illumination, and photography light windows.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  6. My Moon Phase: Provides altitude and azimuth information with location selection rather than a specialized next-rise compass workflow.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    My Moon Phase official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Provides altitude and azimuth information with location selection rather than a specialized next-rise compass workflow.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  7. Moonrise Moment: Runs on iPhone and iPad without requiring an account for the core workflow.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moonrise Moment official product information · Official device access documentation
    Runs on iPhone and iPad without requiring an account for the core workflow.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  8. Moonrise Moment: Shows the next local moonrise, phase, countdown, a full-cycle forecast, and optional notifications or Live Activity.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moonrise Moment official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Shows the next local moonrise, phase, countdown, a full-cycle forecast, and optional notifications or Live Activity.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  9. Moonrise Moment: Points toward the next rise while the Moon is down and toward the Moon while it is up, with terrain-aware first-visible guidance.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moonrise Moment official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Points toward the next rise while the Moon is down and toward the Moon while it is up, with terrain-aware first-visible guidance.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  10. PhotoPills: Runs on supported iPhone and iPad devices as a broad photography-planning toolkit.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    PhotoPills official product information · Official device access documentation
    Runs on supported iPhone and iPad devices as a broad photography-planning toolkit.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  11. PhotoPills: Calculates Sun, Moon, Milky Way, phase, and rise or set information for chosen dates and locations.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    PhotoPills official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Calculates Sun, Moon, Milky Way, phase, and rise or set information for chosen dates and locations.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  12. PhotoPills: Uses map planning, alignment tools, saved plans, and augmented reality for composition scouting.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    PhotoPills official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Uses map planning, alignment tools, saved plans, and augmented reality for composition scouting.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  13. The Photographer’s Ephemeris: Provides mobile and web planning tools for natural-light photographers.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    The Photographer’s Ephemeris official product information · Official device access documentation
    Provides mobile and web planning tools for natural-light photographers.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  14. The Photographer’s Ephemeris: Calculates Moon and Sun rise, set, phase, and position for chosen dates and map locations.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    The Photographer’s Ephemeris official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Calculates Moon and Sun rise, set, phase, and position for chosen dates and map locations.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  15. The Photographer’s Ephemeris: Offers map lines, line-of-sight, augmented reality, saved locations, and terrain-aware planning tools.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    The Photographer’s Ephemeris official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Offers map lines, line-of-sight, augmented reality, saved locations, and terrain-aware planning tools.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  16. Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets: The US listing identifies Apple-device access and widgets.

    Exact US Apple-platform app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets official product information · Official device access documentation
    The US listing identifies Apple-device access and widgets.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  17. Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets: Provides a visual phase model, calendar, rise and set information, and future-date browsing.

    Exact US Apple-platform app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Provides a visual phase model, calendar, rise and set information, and future-date browsing.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  18. Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets: Uses interactive 3D presentation and device views rather than a single-purpose rise finder.

    Exact US Apple-platform app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Lunar: Moon Phase & Widgets official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Uses interactive 3D presentation and device views rather than a single-purpose rise finder.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  19. Moon Tracker: The US listing identifies iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch access.

    Exact US iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moon Tracker official product information · Official device access documentation
    The US listing identifies iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch access.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  20. Moon Tracker: Provides phase, age, illumination, rise, set, culmination, eclipse, and supermoon calendar data.

    Exact US iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moon Tracker official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Provides phase, age, illumination, rise, set, culmination, eclipse, and supermoon calendar data.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  21. Moon Tracker: Includes 2D and 3D lunar-path maps plus an augmented-reality path projection.

    Exact US iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Moon Tracker official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Includes 2D and 3D lunar-path maps plus an augmented-reality path projection.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  22. Deluxe Moon Pro: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access with widgets.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Deluxe Moon Pro official product information · Official device access documentation
    The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access with widgets.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  23. Deluxe Moon Pro: Provides moon phases, calendars, rise and set data, lunar events, and detailed tables.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Deluxe Moon Pro official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Provides moon phases, calendars, rise and set data, lunar events, and detailed tables.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  24. Deluxe Moon Pro: Presents extensive lunar diagrams and astronomical information rather than a minimal outing flow.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    Deluxe Moon Pro official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Presents extensive lunar diagrams and astronomical information rather than a minimal outing flow.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  25. PlanIt Pro: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    PlanIt Pro official product information · Official device access documentation
    The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  26. PlanIt Pro: Plans Moon, Sun, Milky Way, eclipse, and other photography events by date and location.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    PlanIt Pro official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Plans Moon, Sun, Milky Way, eclipse, and other photography events by date and location.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  27. PlanIt Pro: Provides map, viewfinder, augmented-reality, and specialist planning modules.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad photography app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    PlanIt Pro official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Provides map, viewfinder, augmented-reality, and specialist planning modules.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  28. MoonX: The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    MoonX official product information · Official device access documentation
    The US listing identifies iPhone and iPad access.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  29. MoonX: Combines phase calendar, rise and set data, lunar events, and notifications.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    MoonX official product information · Official rise and phase forecast documentation
    Combines phase calendar, rise and set data, lunar events, and notifications.

    Checked September 9, 2026

  30. MoonX: Includes a Moon compass alongside astrology, journaling, meditation, and other lifestyle content.

    Exact US iPhone and iPad app; provider- or publisher-stated information reviewed for this US comparison.

    MoonX official product information · Official direction tools documentation
    Includes a Moon compass alongside astrology, journaling, meditation, and other lifestyle content.

    Checked September 9, 2026

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