LightPlan vs PhotoPills, at a glance
PhotoPills is a deservedly popular, powerful app — it packs augmented reality, a big kit of photography calculators, and a one-time price. But that power comes with a famously steep learning curve, and its planning happens on a 2D map plus an AR camera view. LightPlan takes a different approach: it makes light planning visual and effortless, showing the sun, moon, and Milky Way in true 3D over the actual terrain, with the weather built right in. Here's an honest side-by-side.
| LightPlan | PhotoPills | |
|---|---|---|
| Planning approach | Interactive 3D map over real terrain | 2D map planner + AR camera overlay |
| Sun & moon position and timing | Yes | Yes |
| 3D terrain — see light behind mountains | Yes — real elevation | Limited (2D map) |
| Real-time 3D shadows (Shadow View) | Yes (Pro) | No |
| Milky Way planner | Yes — core rise, azimuth, altitude, season | Yes (planner + AR) |
| Cloud cover & precipitation overlays | Built in (Pro) | No integrated forecast overlays |
| Moon phase calendar | Yes | Yes |
| Event alerts (sunrise, golden hour, moon) | Yes | Limited |
| 3D compass view | Yes | Limited |
| Home & lock screen widgets | Yes (incl. Milky Way widget) | Limited |
| Augmented reality (AR) view | Yes — AR Sky View | Yes |
| Extra calculators (DoF, exposure, timelapse) | Focused on light planning | Yes — large toolkit |
| Ease of use | Modern & visual, low learning curve | Powerful, but steep learning curve |
| Platforms | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| Price | Free to use; some premium features via subscription | Paid (one-time purchase) |
Comparison based on publicly available information and intended as a fair, factual overview; features and pricing may change — please verify on each app's store listing. "PhotoPills" is a trademark of its respective owner. LightPlan is an independent app and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by PhotoPills.
Why photographers choose LightPlan
See the light in 3D
Watch the sun, moon, and Milky Way move in 3D over real mountains and ridgelines, so you know whether a peak will block the sunrise before you travel.
Weather built in
Cloud cover and precipitation forecasts render right on the map, so you can pick the night and location that will actually deliver — no second app.
Ready in minutes
A clean, modern interface and a scrubbable timeline mean you can plan a shoot without a tutorial. Free to use on iOS and Android.
Frequently asked questions
Is LightPlan a good alternative to PhotoPills?
Yes. If you want PhotoPills' planning power without the steep learning curve, LightPlan is a strong alternative. It shows the sun, moon, and Milky Way in 3D over real terrain, adds built-in cloud cover and precipitation overlays, includes a Milky Way planner and moon phase calendar, and is free to use on both iOS and Android.
What can LightPlan do that PhotoPills doesn't?
Interactive 3D terrain is the headline: see exactly how the sun, moon, and Milky Way sit behind real mountains, with Shadow View for real-time terrain and building shadows. LightPlan also builds cloud cover and precipitation overlays directly into the map and includes a dedicated Milky Way visibility widget, so you plan around the weather without switching apps.
Is LightPlan easier to use than PhotoPills?
For most photographers, yes. PhotoPills is very powerful but is known for a steep learning curve. LightPlan is built around a visual 3D map you scrub through time, with preset camera angles and a clean interface, so you can plan a shoot in minutes.
Is LightPlan free, and does it work on Android?
LightPlan is free to use on both iOS and Android. The free tier includes 3D sun and moon visualization for any location, up to 72 hours of planning, preset camera angles, a 3D compass, up to 5 saved locations, and golden hour timings. Pro adds weather overlays, Shadow View, an unlimited time range, unlimited locations, widgets, and custom camera presets.
Can LightPlan plan Milky Way photography like PhotoPills?
Yes. LightPlan's Milky Way planner shows when the galactic core rises, its azimuth and altitude over your scene, and which nights fall within Milky Way season. Pair it with the moon phase calendar to find dark nights and the Milky Way widget to check tonight's visibility at a glance.
Plan your best light with LightPlan
3D sun, moon, and Milky Way planning over real terrain — free to use.
