Astro ASO alternative for Mac
Compare ASO Engine and Astro for keyword research, rank tracking, and other App Store workflows.
Astro is an independent product. Astro details are based on its publicly available website and release notes, not a hands-on test. Last checked October 31, 2026; features and pricing may change.
At a glance
ASO Engine is a free Mac app for keyword research, tracking, metadata translation, and pricing review. Astro is a Mac ASO tool with an annual subscription, Apple Search Ads popularity data, ratings tracking, and unlimited keyword tracking. The right choice depends on which data and workflows you need.
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| Feature | ASO Engine | Astro |
|---|---|---|
| Mac app | Available: macOS 15 or later | Available: macOS 14 or later |
| Free research | Available: Current release is free | Available: Trial available; see Astro for terms |
| Keyword rank tracking | Available: Up to 100 tracked rows per app | Available: Unlimited keywords with subscription |
| Popularity and difficulty | Available: Both are estimates | Available: Popularity from Apple Search Ads; difficulty calculated by Astro |
| Competitor keyword research | Available: Research public competitor listings | Available: Competitor keyword extraction |
| Ratings history tracking | Not available: No ratings history; current public rating shown for competitors | Available: Tracks ratings across stores |
| Keyword translation | Unconfirmed: Metadata translation is available; keyword translation not confirmed | Available: DeepL integration for keyword translation |
| Metadata translation | Available: Bring your own OpenAI API key; usage billed separately | Unconfirmed: Not verified |
| Worldwide pricing review | Available: Review subscription and in-app purchase prices | Unconfirmed: Not verified |
✓ Available · × Not available · — Not verified. Similar feature names don’t imply identical data or behavior.
Pricing and limits
ASO Engine’s current release is free; it limits each tracked app to 100 keyword rows, with each country-specific term counted separately. AI metadata translation uses your own OpenAI key, and OpenAI bills API usage separately.
Astro lists a single-Mac subscription at $108 billed annually ($9 per month equivalent), with unlimited keyword tracking. Taxes may apply. Astro’s release notes also describe a trial; check its current terms before buying. See Astro’s pricing and features and release notes.
How the keyword data differs
Astro says it obtains keyword popularity data from Apple Search Ads and calculates difficulty. ASO Engine displays estimated popularity and difficulty based on its research model; these are not official Apple Search Ads search-volume measurements. Observed rankings are separate from those estimates and can vary by storefront and time.
Which should you choose?
Choose ASO Engine if you want a free Mac workspace for a smaller keyword list plus metadata translation and pricing review. Choose Astro if you need Apple Search Ads popularity data, more than 100 tracked keyword rows per app, or ratings tracking. Check each product’s current capabilities for your workflow.