Start with the decision, not the feature list
Before comparing plans, write down the decisions you expect the tool to support. Typical indie needs include choosing ten relevant keywords, tracking positions in two countries, understanding whether product page conversion changed, or seeing revenue across several apps.
A product with hundreds of features is poor value if your weekly workflow uses five of them. Conversely, a cheap tracker is poor value if it omits the one storefront or data source you need.
Four cost tiers
| Tier | Typical fit | Main compromise |
|---|---|---|
| Free | One live app and a focused keyword shortlist | Limits on apps, keywords or history |
| Low-cost native | Independent Apple developers | Usually Apple-only and single-user |
| Professional web platform | Cross-platform portfolios and growth teams | Higher monthly cost and complexity |
| Enterprise intelligence | Market research, investment and large teams | Sales-led pricing and more data than most indies need |
Where Aurora fits
Aurora starts free and offers Pro at $5.99 monthly or $49.99 annually. It combines keyword tracking and discovery with owned-app analytics, revenue and realtime subscription events in a native Mac app. It is cost-effective when you publish only on Apple's stores and want those workflows together.
It is not the right purchase for Google Play research, competitor download estimates, review operations, Apple Ads management or team seats.
Where Astro fits
Astro is a focused native Mac option for Apple keyword research. Its public positioning emphasises unlimited apps and keywords, popularity and difficulty data, translations and broad storefront coverage under an annual plan. It can be better value when deep, unlimited keyword work matters more than integrated App Store Connect revenue and analytics.
When a web platform earns its price
Appfigures, AppTweak, MobileAction and App Radar become easier to justify when you need Google Play alongside Apple, larger competitive datasets, review management, metadata operations, advertising intelligence or collaboration. Those capabilities cost more to provide and can remove substantial manual work for the right team.
A five-question buying checklist
- Do you publish on Apple only, or also Google Play?
- How many apps, keywords and storefronts must be tracked?
- Do you need owned-app truth or competitor estimates?
- Will one person use the tool, or a team?
- Which task will save enough time or improve enough decisions to cover the price?
Recommendation
Begin with a free plan and one complete metadata cycle. Upgrade when you can name the limit creating friction. Choose Aurora for an integrated Apple-only Mac workflow, Astro for focused native keyword research, and a broader web platform when cross-platform or team operations justify the difference.
See the detailed seven-tool comparison or the focused Aurora versus Astro guide.