AppDrift vs Astro: iOS Keyword Research App or Full ASO Platform? (2026)

Prices and features were checked on tryastro.app and appdrift.co/pricing on September 10, 2026. Disclosure: AppDrift is our product.

Short answer: Astro is a native macOS tool for App Store keyword research with unlimited keywords and Apple Search Ads popularity. AppDrift is a browser workspace for both stores that combines tracked keywords, metadata drafts, translation, screenshots and approved store updates. Astro focuses on iOS research; AppDrift covers producing and maintaining listings on both stores, starting with a free plan.

Quick Comparison Table

What Is Astro?

Astro is a native macOS app for App Store keyword research. At the September 10 price check, one Mac license cost $108 a year, shown as $9 per month, with no per-keyword charge. It uses Apple Search Ads popularity and provides top-10 difficulty scores, daily rank history and competitor metadata comparisons. The published offer covers more than 60 storefronts and includes keyword-list translation through DeepL.

Its boundaries are equally clear. Astro is App Store only: no Google Play. It runs only on macOS 14 and later. It does not write listings, generate screenshots, monitor competitors' metadata changes, or publish anything; you take its research to App Store Connect yourself. There is no free plan, only a 14-day refund window. Its site claims that 90% of users see more impressions within a week; treat that as the vendor's number.

What Is AppDrift?

AppDrift is a browser workspace for listing work on both stores. Use keyword tracking to follow selected terms and metadata generation to prepare editable drafts. It also offers translation into 60+ languages, a screenshot editor and monitoring alerts. Review the prepared content before using connected-store publishing.

AppDrift's Apple Search Performance reads Apple's daily App Store Connect reports for a connected iOS app: search and browse impressions, product page views and downloads by country. Apple does not share search terms through its API, so these reports hold no keyword-level conversion, revenue or retention data. See the analytics evidence guide for the distinction between these reports and Apple Ads popularity.

AppDrift's limits: AI actions are metered in tokens (500 a month on Basic, 3,000 on Pro, 8,000 on Studio; a full generation costs 7 tokens per language on iOS). Tracked keywords are capped at 5 on Free, 50 on Basic, 500 on Pro and 1,500 on Studio, against Astro's unlimited. Competitor rank tracking is a Studio feature. Google Play rank checks see roughly the top 30 results. There is no native Mac app and no Apple Search Ads campaign management.

Features Compared

Keyword research

Astro offers unlimited App Store keyword research in a native Mac app, using Apple Search Ads popularity. AppDrift offers keyword ideas, tracked ranks and the same proxy scores shown in its free difficulty checker. It also provides metadata drafts in the workspace. Research the terms you want to use, then review how they fit the title and subtitle.

Apple data

Astro uses Apple Search Ads popularity for research. AppDrift computes its own popularity/difficulty proxies from observed search results and offers a separate connected Apple analytics workflow where reports are available. Neither a proxy score nor a report request proves organic keyword-level revenue. Apple does not publish a keyword-difficulty score.

Writing, localization, screenshots, publishing

Astro suggests keywords and translates keyword lists. AppDrift can draft and translate full listing fields, prepare screenshots and send approved updates through your connected store credentials. Free-template exports require an account; Pro collections retain their paid access. Research and review local wording before publishing.

Platform and stores

Astro is Mac-only and App Store-only. AppDrift runs in a browser and supports Google Play. Its Play rank checks currently cover roughly the top 30 results. Astro requires a Mac and does not cover an Android listing.

Pricing Compared

At the September 10 price check, the entry plans cost $108/year for Astro and $99/year for AppDrift Basic. Astro offers unlimited App Store keyword research on a Mac; Basic includes 50 tracked keywords plus metered AI drafting and listing workflows. Compare actual limits and annual commitment before purchasing.

Who Should Pick Which

Pick Astro if

• Platform: Astro is a native macOS app (macOS 14+) for the App Store only; AppDrift runs in any browser and covers the App Store and Google Play
• Research: Astro offers unlimited App Store keyword research with Apple Search Ads popularity for $9 a month billed annually; AppDrift tracks 5 to 1,500 keywords by plan with computed difficulty and popularity
• Listing work: Astro leaves writing and submitting the metadata to you; AppDrift drafts, translates and publishes it
• Screenshots and publishing: not part of Astro; AppDrift includes a screenshot editor with a free account and publishing on paid plans

Pick AppDrift if

• You publish on both stores, or on any OS other than macOS
• You want the listing written and translated, not just researched
• You want Apple's search impressions and downloads by country beside your tracked ranks, for a connected iOS app
• You want free screenshots and alerts when something changes
• You want a free plan to start and an API or MCP server for automation

Can You Use Both?

The two overlap on App Store keyword research. AppDrift Free includes one app, five daily tracked keywords and 50 AI tokens once, which is not unlimited translation or paid-feature access; Pro tracks 500 keywords and Studio 1,500 in the same workspace as the listing work, across both stores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Astro or AppDrift better for an indie iOS developer?

AppDrift, when the job includes writing, translating and publishing the listing or covering Google Play: it runs in any browser and starts with a free plan. Astro is a Mac app focused on App Store keyword research with unlimited keywords, so compare your keyword volume with AppDrift's plan quotas.

Does Astro support Google Play?

No. Astro is App Store only. AppDrift covers both stores.

Where does each tool's popularity come from?

Astro states that it uses Apple Search Ads popularity. AppDrift computes a proxy from observed top-ranking apps; its connected analytics are a separate data source and depend on eligible delivered reports.

Which is cheaper?

Astro is $9 a month billed annually with no free plan. AppDrift has a free plan and paid plans from $9.99 a month or $99 a year.

Does either tool write or translate metadata?

Astro suggests keywords and translates keyword lists via DeepL. AppDrift writes the full listing, translates it into 60+ languages, and publishes it.

Conclusion

Astro is a Mac app for iOS keyword research. AppDrift covers the broader listing work across both stores, from research to published updates. Start with AppDrift's free plan to check that it covers your stores and the work you do regularly. See AppDrift vs Applyra, AppDrift vs Sonar and the ASO tools comparison.

References

1. Astro (pricing and features checked September 10, 2026)
2. AppDrift Pricing
3. App Store Connect analytics: available reports and keyword limits
4. Long-tail App Store keyword difficulty, from 862 scored checks