A Star Named vs HowTos.video: Which Is Better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of A Star Named and HowTos.video, two education & e-learning tools — what each does, who it's best for, and how to choose between them.
Quick verdict
A Star Named and HowTos.video are both education & e-learning tools, so it comes down to fit. Pick A Star Named if you want Name a real HYG star for someone you loved Pick HowTos.video if you want Short video guides that teach everyday tasks
A Star Named
Name a real HYG star for someone you loved
- Category
- Education & E-learning
- Rating
- Not yet rated
HowTos.video
Short video guides that teach everyday tasks
- Category
- Education & E-learning
- Rating
- Not yet rated
- Best for
- how-to, video tutorials, DIY
| At a glance | A Star Named | HowTos.video |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Name a real HYG star for someone you loved | Short video guides that teach everyday tasks |
| Category | Education & E-learning | Education & E-learning |
| Type | Software | Software |
| Best for | — | how-to, video tutorials, DIY, learning |
What is A Star Named?
A Star Named is a memorial web app: enter a date, time, and place; we compute that zenith, surface real HYG catalog star candidates for free preview, then let you name one and deliver an instant digital certificate plus interactive 3D sky view. Built for people and pets. Pricing from $19.99. Naming is commemorative only and is not IAU-recognized.
What is HowTos.video?
HowTos.video is a free learning library that turns everyday tasks into short, clear video guides. The idea is simple: when you need to fix something at home, try a craft, cook a new dish, care for a pet, or sort out a phone or computer problem, you should not have to dig through ten-minute videos and long blog posts to find one clear answer. We do that digging for you.
Every guide on HowTos.video pairs one carefully chosen YouTube tutorial with written steps that link to the exact moment in the video where each step happens. You can watch the whole thing, jump straight to the part you need, or follow the written steps at your own pace without watching at all. If a video rambles, our steps get you to the point.
The library spans 14 everyday topics: home DIY, crafts and sewing, cooking, gardening, pets, cars and bikes, beauty and style, fitness, outdoors and travel, money and office, computers and phones, apps and software, art and design, and school and learning. New guides are added daily, and every guide is checked by a person before it goes live.
HowTos.video is completely free. There is no account, no paywall, and no trial period. Open a guide, learn the task, get on with your day.
What problem it solves
Most how-to content online wastes your time: long videos with the answer buried in minute seven, or text tutorials with no visuals. People who just want to get one task done end up scrubbing through videos or bouncing between tabs.
Alternatives & competitors
Instead of searching YouTube yourself and guessing which tutorial is worth watching, HowTos.video hands you one vetted short tutorial per task plus written, time-linked steps - so the learning curve is minutes, not an evening.
Key differences at a glance
- Purpose: A Star Named is Name a real HYG star for someone you loved HowTos.video, by contrast, is Short video guides that teach everyday tasks
- Category & type: both sit in Education & E-learning, and both are offered as software.
- Best suited for: A Star Named leans toward a broad audience, whereas HowTos.video leans toward how-to, video tutorials, DIY.
- Community rating: A Star Named is not yet rated vs HowTos.video is not yet rated. Ratings are community-submitted and change over time.
A Star Named vs HowTos.video: which should you choose?
A Star Named and HowTos.video both serve the education & e-learning space, so the best choice depends on your priorities. Choose A Star Named if you want Name a real HYG star for someone you loved Choose HowTos.video if you want Short video guides that teach everyday tasksThe smartest move is to try each one's free tier or trial on a real task — that's the fastest way to feel the difference and pick the tool you'll actually stick with.
Frequently asked questions
Is A Star Named better than HowTos.video?
It depends on what you need. A Star Named is Name a real HYG star for someone you loved HowTos.video is Short video guides that teach everyday tasks Both are education & e-learning tools, so the right pick comes down to your specific priorities, budget and workflow.
What's the main difference between A Star Named and HowTos.video?
A Star Named focuses on Name a real HYG star for someone you loved while HowTos.video focuses on Short video guides that teach everyday tasks Read the full breakdown above and check each tool's site for current features and pricing.
Can I use both A Star Named and HowTos.video?
In many cases, yes — teams often use complementary tools together. Whether it makes sense depends on overlap in functionality and your budget. Try the free tier or trial of each to see how they fit your stack before committing.
Which is cheaper, A Star Named or HowTos.video?
Pricing changes often, so check each tool's pricing page for the latest. Many tools offer a free tier or trial, which is the best way to evaluate value for your specific usage before you pay.