Tool profile
AstroPlanner: cost, fit and limits
AstroPlanner is a stand-alone observing planner made by iLanga, Inc. that plans and executes an observing session, computes object visibility, shows eyepiece or sensor field of view and logs each object, with optional telescope Go To control.
What to know first
AstroPlanner is a licensed stand-alone application. The about page describes entering objects manually or importing them from text files, computing their visibility for the session, showing the sky at that time and showing the field of view as an eyepiece or imager sensor view. The purchase page shows a price placeholder and no price, and a valid license number unlocks full features and catalogs. The pages read name no AI feature.
AstroPlanner at a glance
| Maker | iLanga, Inc., Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | Quote only |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Astronomy Software in 2026, rank 13 of 13 |
| Website | astroplanner.net |
Who AstroPlanner is best for
Visual observers with a target list
Objects can be typed in or imported from text files, and the program computes which of them are visible during the session.
Observers who keep logs
Log entries are recorded for each observed object, so past sessions stay in one place. Past sessions therefore stay together in one searchable record.
Telescope owners with Go To
Go To telescope control and Digital Setting Circle systems are both optional, so the planner can work with or without a driven mount.
AstroPlanner plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| AstroPlanner license (V2) | Not published on the pages read | A license number is needed for full features and catalogs. The license is bought through PayPal on the purchase page. |
Checked November 2026.
What AstroPlanner does
- Session planning
- The about page describes planning and executing an observing session, with objects entered manually or imported from text files. This links your target list to what the program then computes for the night.
- Visibility computation
- The program computes the visibility of objects for the session and shows the sky at that time. The sky for that time is shown next to the visibility result.
- Field of view
- The field of view of the current object is shown as an eyepiece or imager sensor view. Seeing the field of view helps you judge whether a target fits your eyepiece or sensor.
- Telescope control
- Go To control and Digital Setting Circle systems are both optional. Both are optional, so the planner also works without a driven mount. The planner therefore works with or without a driven mount.
- Observation log
- Log entries are recorded for each observed object. The log gives you a record of what was observed and when, per object. Each entry stays tied to the object it describes.
How AstroPlanner handles your data
The license page says a license lookup is sent by email to the address you enter, and purchase runs through PayPal. The pages read give no retention period, hosting region or certification, and say nothing about customer data being used to train AI models. AstroPlanner is a stand-alone application, so session plans and logs stay on your own computer. The vendor's policy was not checked beyond the license page, and no privacy policy page was among the pages read.
Where AstroPlanner falls short in practice
- License needed for full use. A valid license number is needed for full features and catalogs, so the download alone is not the whole product. The download alone does not include everything the program lists.
- No published price. The purchase page shows a placeholder where a price would be, so you cannot budget before reaching the PayPal step. The license page shows the lookup process only.
- Planning focus. The pages describe planning, visibility and logging, not camera automation or image processing. You need a separate capture program for imaging. A separate capture program is needed for images.
Alternatives to AstroPlanner
AstroPlanner: common questions
How much does AstroPlanner cost?
The purchase page we read shows a price placeholder and no amount, so no price can be quoted here. The license is bought through PayPal, and a valid license number is needed for full features and catalogs. Check the purchase page for the current price.
Does AstroPlanner use AI?
The pages we read name no AI feature. It is described as a stand-alone application that plans and executes observing sessions, computes visibility and logs observations. Voyager and StellarMate are the entries in this list that name AI. It is licensed software.
Can AstroPlanner control my telescope?
Go To telescope control and Digital Setting Circle systems are both described as optional on the about page. The program does not require them, so it can plan a session without a connected mount. Both are optional extras. Both are optional.
Can I import my target list into AstroPlanner?
Yes. The about page says objects can be entered manually or imported from text files. The program then computes their visibility for the session and shows the sky at that time. The pages read do not list other import formats.
How do I get my AstroPlanner license?
The license is bought through PayPal on the purchase page, and a license number is needed for full features and catalogs. The license page says a license lookup is sent by email to the address you enter. That is the route described on the pages read.