Does AstroPal use the same ephemeris as Astro.com?
Yes. AstroPal computes with the Swiss Ephemeris, which Astrodienst authored and maintains. On planetary positions the two agree, because it is the same underlying library.
AstroPal vs Astro.com (Astrodienst): which is better?
The same ephemeris, configured for Jyotisha and explained.
Try AstroPal freePro is ₹501 / month
The short answer
Why AstroPal beats Astro.com (Astrodienst).
- Jyotisha configured correctly out of the box, with nothing to set up
- 12 vargas and the full Vimshottari tree computed without being asked
- Plain-language interpretation, where astro.com returns a raw chart
- 11 saved reports and an 8-course syllabus, not a practitioner archive
Where Astro.com (Astrodienst) falls short
- The interface assumes you are already an astrologer
- Western tropical is the default; Vedic work requires knowing what to change
- It calculates and archives, but it does not explain, converse or keep reports for you
In fairness, what Astro.com (Astrodienst) does well
- The Swiss Ephemeris itself, which is the standard the entire field checks against
- Extraordinary configurability across house systems, ayanamsa and chart types
- Free chart calculation with no funnel behind it, for decades
Astrodienst, at astro.com, is the reference tool of serious astrology. It offers free high-precision chart calculation, an enormous archive of technical material, and options for practically every house system and ayanamsa in use. It is also the organisation that authored and maintains the Swiss Ephemeris.
The four pillars
AstroPal vs Astro.com (Astrodienst), one question at a time.
Accuracy: what actually computes the chart
AstroPal
AstroPal computes every chart with the Swiss Ephemeris in the sidereal zodiac. Lahiri is the default ayanamsa, with Raman, KP and Krishnamurti selectable. Twelve divisional charts from D1 to D30, planetary strength and the full Vimshottari mahadasha and antardasha tree are calculated for every birth, not just the D1.
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
We are not going to claim an accuracy advantage over Astrodienst, because AstroPal computes with the Swiss Ephemeris that Astrodienst wrote. On raw positional accuracy this is the same engine. What differs is the default posture: astro.com is a general-purpose calculator that will do anything if you know which options to set, while AstroPal is configured for Jyotisha out of the box, sidereal with Lahiri by default, and computes all 12 vargas and the full Vimshottari dasha tree without being asked.
Price: what it costs when you actually use it
AstroPal
One flat monthly price, and then nothing further. No per-minute meter, no per-report checkout, no charge for a follow-up question. The Kundali, Kundali Milan, Varshphal and baby name reports are free for everyone, PDF export included, and the entire Academy is open without an account.
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Astro.com gives away chart calculation free, which is a genuine service to the field and always has been. AstroPal also gives away its Kundali, Kundali Milan, Varshphal and baby name reports free. The subscription is for interpretation, unlimited questions and the report library, which astro.com does not offer in that form.
Reports: what you get in writing, and get to keep
AstroPal
Eleven full-length Vedic reports covering career, wealth, health, marriage, relationships, muhurat, numerology and Varshphal. Four are free forever. Every one is saved to your account, reopenable months later, and exports to PDF straight from the browser, with unlimited follow-up questions included.
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
This is the real difference. Astro.com sells a few interpretation reports as one-off purchases, but it is fundamentally a calculation and archive tool. AstroPal ships 11 long-form Vedic reports covering career, wealth, health, marriage, relationships, muhurat, numerology and Varshphal, four of them free, each saved to your account, reopenable and exportable to PDF.
Academy: whether anyone will teach you the method
AstroPal
Eight structured courses with ordered modules, lessons and quizzes, free and open without an account. They run from reading a first birth chart through yogas, Saade Sati, the Vimshottari dasha tree, nakshatras and planetary strength, so you can check the reasoning behind any answer rather than trusting it.
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Astro.com hosts a large library of technical articles, much of it excellent and much of it written for practitioners. AstroPal publishes 8 structured courses with ordered modules, lessons and quizzes, designed for someone starting from nothing and ending up able to read their own chart. Different jobs: a reference library against a syllabus.
The reports
11 reports you keep. Astro.com (Astrodienst) gives you none of them.
Every one is computed from your own chart, saved to your account, and downloadable as a PDF. Four are free forever; the rest are included with a paid plan.
FreeKundaliYour full Vedic birth chartRead more
FreeKundali Milan / Compatibility ReportTwo charts. One classical reading.Read more
PaidCareer ReportYour professional destiny decodedRead more
FreeVarshphalYour next 12 months, month by monthRead more
PaidHealth ReportUnderstand your body through your chartRead more
FreeBaby Name ReportThe most auspicious name for your childRead more
PaidMuhurat ReportThe right moment changes everythingRead more
PaidRelationship ReportYour love life, read straight from your chartRead more
PaidWealth ReportYour financial destiny decodedRead more
PaidLife Numerology ReportYour life read through the numbersRead more
PaidLife After Marriage ReportWhat does married life look like for the two of you?Read more
Scroll for all 11. Kundali, Kundali Milan, Varshphal and the baby name report are free for everyone.
Side by side
The full comparison.
Where Astro.com (Astrodienst) does not publish something, the row says so rather than guessing on their behalf.
| Feature | AstroPal | Astro.com (Astrodienst) |
|---|---|---|
| Astrology system | Vedic (sidereal), and nothing else | Both, with tropical as the default |
| Calculation engine | Swiss Ephemeris, the same library professional astrologers audit against | Swiss Ephemeris, which Astrodienst authored |
| Ayanamsa | Lahiri by default, with Raman, KP and Krishnamurti selectable | Extensive; nearly every ayanamsa in use is selectable |
| Divisional charts | 12 vargas, D1 through D30, computed for every chart | Available, if you configure them |
| Dasha analysis | Vimshottari mahadasha and antardasha, with dated timing charts | Available, if you configure it |
| Who answers you | One engine reading your full chart, identical every session | A calculation tool, with no interpretation layer |
| Follow-up questions | Unlimited. Asking again never costs more | Not applicable; re-run the calculation |
| Written reports | 11 reports, 4 of them free forever, every one exportable to PDF | A few sold individually |
| Learning material | A free 8-course Academy, open without an account | A large technical article archive |
| Pricing model | Flat monthly, ₹501 / month for Pro, with a free tier. Asking again never costs extra | Free calculation, with some paid reports |
Astrology system
AstroPal
Vedic (sidereal), and nothing else
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Both, with tropical as the default
Calculation engine
AstroPal
Swiss Ephemeris, the same library professional astrologers audit against
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Swiss Ephemeris, which Astrodienst authored
Ayanamsa
AstroPal
Lahiri by default, with Raman, KP and Krishnamurti selectable
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Extensive; nearly every ayanamsa in use is selectable
Divisional charts
AstroPal
12 vargas, D1 through D30, computed for every chart
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Available, if you configure them
Dasha analysis
AstroPal
Vimshottari mahadasha and antardasha, with dated timing charts
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Available, if you configure it
Who answers you
AstroPal
One engine reading your full chart, identical every session
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
A calculation tool, with no interpretation layer
Follow-up questions
AstroPal
Unlimited. Asking again never costs more
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Not applicable; re-run the calculation
Written reports
AstroPal
11 reports, 4 of them free forever, every one exportable to PDF
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
A few sold individually
Learning material
AstroPal
A free 8-course Academy, open without an account
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
A large technical article archive
Pricing model
AstroPal
Flat monthly, ₹501 / month for Pro, with a free tier. Asking again never costs extra
Astro.com (Astrodienst)
Free calculation, with some paid reports
Choose AstroPal if
- You want the chart computed with a named ephemeris you can check
- You want one flat price that does not move with how much you ask
- You want reports you keep, reopen and export to PDF
- You want to learn the method rather than take an answer on trust
Choose Astro.com (Astrodienst) only if
- You are a practising astrologer who wants maximum configurability
- You need an unusual house system, ayanamsa or chart type
- You want a raw chart with no interpretation attached at all
The verdict
AstroPal adds everything astro.com deliberately leaves out: Vedic defaults with no configuration, 12 vargas and the dasha tree computed automatically, plain-language interpretation, 11 saved reports with 4 free, and an 8-course syllabus. Astrodienst wrote the ephemeris we compute with, so positions agree; astro.com calculates, AstroPal interprets.
AstroPal vs Astro.com (Astrodienst): common questions
Then why use AstroPal instead?
Because astro.com calculates and AstroPal interprets. AstroPal is configured for Vedic astrology by default, computes 12 divisional charts and the full Vimshottari dasha tree without configuration, explains the result in plain language, saves 11 reports to your account, and teaches the method through 8 free courses.
Can astro.com do Vedic charts?
Yes, if you know which options to change: sidereal mode, the right ayanamsa and the right house system. AstroPal starts there, with Lahiri as the default and Raman, KP and Krishnamurti selectable.
Keep comparing
Other apps people weigh against this one.
Everything included
What you get on AstroPal that Astro.com (Astrodienst) does not.
- Vedic astrology reports11 full reports on career, wealth, health, marriage and more. Four are free forever.
- Free Academy8 structured courses with lessons and quizzes. No account required to read them.
- Varshphal annual chartYour solar return year, cast on your birthday, with a dated twelve-month view.
- Baby name reportNakshatra-based naming from the Moon computed topocentrically. Free for everyone.
- Hindu calendar and panchangTithi, nakshatra and festival dates, free and updated daily.
- Vimshottari mahadasha courseThe classical timing system, taught end to end, free.
- Muhurat reportDated auspicious windows matched to your chart and your specific event.
- PricingOne flat monthly plan. No per-minute meter and no charge for asking again.
Read your own chart instead of comparing apps
Free Kundali, free Kundali Milan, 4 full reports at no cost, and 8 Academy courses open without an account. No card required.
Competitor details are summarised from publicly available information and change often, especially pricing. Check the vendor site before deciding. Where a company does not publish something, we say so rather than guessing.