Tool profile
StellarMate: cost, fit and limits
StellarMate is an astrophotography controller and operating system made by Ikarus Technologies that runs the Ekos imaging suite on a small computer at the telescope, with a remote web platform and a feature called Stella AI.
What to know first
StellarMate is sold as hardware in four listed models, from the StellarMate X 64GB at $299 to the StellarMate Pro 8GB/128GB at $599, all priced in USD in the shop. The homepage describes StellarMate OS, EkosLive for remote imaging, Mosaic Planner, an Ekos scheduler and autofocus, and names Stella AI under the line Intelligence for the Night Sky. The pages we read give no further detail on Stella AI.
StellarMate at a glance
| Maker | Ikarus Technologies, Not stated on the vendor pages |
|---|---|
| Free plan | No |
| Entry price | $299 for the StellarMate X 64GB controller |
| API access | No |
| Category | Best AI Astronomy Software in 2026, rank 3 of 13 |
| Website | stellarmate.com |
Who StellarMate is best for
Imagers who dislike a laptop in the cold
A dedicated controller sits at the telescope and runs the Ekos suite there, so the imaging session does not depend on a laptop left outside.
Remote imaging from home
EkosLive is described as a web platform for remote astrophotography, which lets owners follow or control a session without standing at the mount.
INDI device owners
The homepage says Ekos runs on INDI devices, so owners whose gear already speaks INDI can reuse it with the controller.
StellarMate plans and pricing
| Plan | Price | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| StellarMate X 64GB | $299.00 | Astrophotography controller hardware, the entry model in the shop. Listed first in the shop and described on the homepage as the entry controller model. |
| StellarMate X 128GB | $349.00 | Astrophotography controller hardware with 128GB of storage. Same family as the X 64GB, with a larger 128GB storage option in the shop listing. |
| StellarMate Pro 4GB/64GB | $449.00 | Astrophotography controller hardware in the Pro line with 4GB of memory and 64GB of storage. |
| StellarMate Pro 8GB/128GB | $599.00 | Astrophotography controller hardware in the Pro line with 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage. |
Checked November 2026.
What StellarMate does
- Stella AI
- The homepage names Stella AI under Intelligence for the Night Sky. The pages we read do not explain what it analyzes or produces, so ask the vendor before relying on it.
- StellarMate OS
- The operating system is installed once and then used across devices, according to the homepage, so a phone, tablet or laptop can reach the same session.
- EkosLive
- A web platform for remote astrophotography that lets an owner reach the controller from elsewhere instead of at the telescope. The homepage describes EkosLive as the remote layer, though speed and reliability figures are not given.
- Mosaic Planner
- A planner that stitches the sky into a mosaic, which helps cover a target larger than the camera frame. The homepage lists it among the Ekos tools for planning a multi-frame target.
- Ekos scheduler and autofocus
- Scheduling and autofocus support unattended imaging, with the Ekos tool described on the homepage as free. The homepage describes Ekos as a free tool, and the scheduler and autofocus are part of its unattended workflow.
How StellarMate handles your data
The privacy policy says order data is kept to fulfil orders, and it does not give a retention period. The pages we read state no hosting region and no certifications, and they do not say whether customer data trains AI models, including Stella AI. EkosLive moves session data through a web platform, so owners who send images or logs remotely should read the terms page first. The controller runs at your telescope, and the vendor's policy was not checked beyond the privacy policy and terms.
Where StellarMate falls short in practice
- Hardware cost. The shop lists controllers from $299 to $599 in USD. Software-only buyers pay for hardware they may not need, since free suites run on an existing computer.
- Stella AI detail. The homepage names Stella AI, but the pages read give no description, examples or limits, so the AI claim cannot be judged from public text.
- INDI dependency. Ekos runs on INDI devices according to the homepage, so equipment without an INDI driver may not connect. Equipment without an INDI driver is therefore a risk to check before buying a controller.
Works with
Alternatives to StellarMate
StellarMate: common questions
What is Stella AI in StellarMate?
The homepage names Stella AI under the line Intelligence for the Night Sky. The pages we read give no further detail on what it does, which data it uses or how accurate it is. Ask the vendor for a concrete example before counting it as a purchase reason.
How much does a StellarMate cost?
As of November 2026 the shop lists the StellarMate X 64GB at $299.00, the X 128GB at $349.00, the Pro 4GB/64GB at $449.00 and the Pro 8GB/128GB at $599.00, all in USD. The homepage also shows a StellarMate Pro X as coming soon with pre-order.
Is the Ekos software free?
The homepage describes Ekos as a free tool. The cost of StellarMate is the controller hardware it runs on. Check the vendor's current shop page for what each model includes, since the pages we read list the models and prices but only briefly.
Does StellarMate work with my equipment?
The homepage says Ekos runs on INDI devices, so gear with an INDI driver is the safe case. The vendor names Telescopius among its integrations. Check your camera, mount and focuser against the INDI device list before buying. Also confirm the controller model you plan to buy.
Can I run imaging sessions remotely with StellarMate?
Yes, the homepage describes EkosLive as a web platform for remote astrophotography. Together with the Ekos scheduler and autofocus for unattended imaging, it supports sessions you do not attend, though the pages read give no bandwidth or reliability figures. Test the link before you depend on it for a full night.