The standard-bearer
Astro.com (Astrodienst) holds a unique place in this field, and any honest comparison starts there. It is the home of Swiss Ephemeris — the astronomical calculation engine that most professional astrology software relies on — along with professional-grade horoscopes and deep archives that serious astrologers have trusted for decades. When astrologers want the reference standard, this is where they go.
We should be upfront about our relationship to that work: MySkyChart's own calculations run on Swiss Ephemeris (version 2.10.03, via pyswisseph). Every chart we produce stands on astronomy Astrodienst made available to the world. We mean the comparison on this page as a compliment — we literally build on their ephemeris, and if our numbers are trustworthy, it is in real part because theirs are.
Where MySkyChart is different
If both sites calculate from the same ephemeris, what actually differs? The experience around the math, and who it is designed for. MySkyChart is built beginner-first: a modern, guided flow takes you from birth data to a complete chart in about a minute, free, with no account required — and then an AI astrologer explains your specific placements in plain language.
That last part is the core of it. A professional-grade chart is only useful to you if you can read it, and most beginners can't yet. Our AI readings are generated from your computed placements — Moon in Taurus in the fourth house gets explained as your Moon in your fourth house, not as a generic paragraph — and the boundary is strict: the AI interprets the math but never performs or alters it. Every calculation choice we make is documented on our methodology page, with published results you can verify against any calculator, including Astro.com itself.
Pricing is deliberately simple: the full chart and a Light reading are free with no account or card, a Full reading is $15, and an Expert reading is $35. No subscription, nothing recurring.
Side by side
The short version, in one table. Our column states only what we actually offer; theirs sticks to what Astrodienst is broadly known for.
| MySkyChart | Astro.com (Astrodienst) | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Beginners who want their own chart explained in plain language | Astrologers and serious students who want the reference standard |
| Chart calculation | Swiss Ephemeris; full chart free, no account required | Home of Swiss Ephemeris itself; professional-grade charting |
| Interpretations | AI readings in plain language, grounded in your computed placements | Professional-grade horoscopes and deep archives |
| Learning curve | One modern guided flow, readable on day one | Rich and deep — rewards astrological knowledge |
| Price | Light reading free; Full $15; Expert $35 | Free charts; paid professional horoscope offerings |
So which should you use?
If you are an astrologer, a serious student, or you want the deepest professional resources online, Astro.com has earned its reputation and we are not going to argue with it. If you are opening your first chart and want it calculated accurately and then explained — plainly, placement by placement, without assuming you know the vocabulary — that is exactly what MySkyChart was built for.
There is no wrong answer, and the two are not mutually exclusive. Your chart is the same sky on both sites — same ephemeris, after all. Calculate with us, verify against them, and let the comparison build your confidence in both. Our validation table publishes our computed positions for exactly that purpose.
Frequently asked questions
Does MySkyChart really use the same ephemeris as Astro.com?
Yes. Our engine calculates with Swiss Ephemeris 2.10.03 via pyswisseph — Swiss Ephemeris is developed by Astrodienst, the company behind Astro.com. Given the same birth data and settings, the underlying planetary positions come from the same astronomical source.
Why would my charts look slightly different between the two sites?
Almost always settings, not astronomy: house system, node choice (we default to the True Node), or orb settings. We use the tropical zodiac with Placidus houses by default. Our methodology page documents every default so you can align the settings and compare exactly.
Is MySkyChart trying to replace Astro.com?
No. Astro.com serves astrologers and serious students with professional-grade tools and archives. MySkyChart serves beginners who want their chart explained in plain language by an AI astrologer. Different audiences, same underlying ephemeris.
What does MySkyChart cost compared to Astro.com?
On MySkyChart, the full chart calculation and a Light reading are free with no account; deeper AI readings are $15 (Full) and $35 (Expert). Astro.com offers free charts alongside its paid professional horoscope offerings.
What does your own chart say?
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