Bad Elf Wombat vs MachDB
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Bad Elf Wombat
This free utility app works with the Bad Elf Wombat hardware accessory. It enables pilots to download aviation databases and transfer them to a USB drive or SD card. It also facilitates the collection and uploading of flight and engine logs to various aviation analysis sites.
- Download aviation databases
- Transfer data to USB/SD via Wombat accessory
- Collect flight and engine logs
- Upload logs to analysis sites
- Check hardware health
- Perform firmware updates
- Format media
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This free utility app is used in conjunction with the Bad Elf Wombat hardware accessory. This app allows pilots and operators to download aviation databases from compatible avionics websites to their iPad or iPhone via Wi-Fi or cellular. Once downloaded, the user can then connect to the Bad Elf Wombat accessory via Wi-Fi to transfer the database(s) to a USB drive or SD card. Pilots can also collect flight and engine logs from compatible avionics, and upload them to sites such as SavvyAnalysis, CirrusReports, and myTBM.aero. Logs can also be shared with 3rd party apps such as CloudAhoy, Dropbox, or the Mail app. This app also allows the user to check the health of their Wombat hardware, perform firmware updates, and format USB/SD media. Visit www.bad-elf.com/wombat to learn more about the Bad Elf Wombat accessory.
MachDB
Easily download and transfer Garmin avionics database updates to an SD card using your iPhone or iPad. This app supports a wide range of Garmin avionics and requires only a standard USB-C SD card reader. Updates are fast and convenient for field use.
- Download Garmin database updates
- Transfer updates to SD card
- iPhone and iPad compatible
- Supports various Garmin avionics
- Uses standard USB-C SD card reader
- Fast Wi-Fi/Cellular downloads
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MachDB allows you to download and transfer Garmin avionics database updates to an SD card in seconds using your iPhone or iPad for fast updates in the field. All you need is your iPhone or iPad and a standard USB-C SD card reader. No proprietary hardware required! Download fast over Wi-Fi or Cellular connections. MachDB is compatible with all modern Garmin avionics that use SD cards or USB keys for database updates, using your existing Jeppesen or Garmin database account. Supported avionics include: -Garmin G1000, G1000 Nxi, Perspective and Perspective + -Garmin G3000 and Perspective Touch -Garmin GTN 600 and 700 Xi -Garmin G500, G600 and G700 -Garmin G3X and G2000 -Garmin GI 275 Supported Database Providers: -Jeppesen -Garmin
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Bad Elf Wombat at 9.0 against MachDB's 17.0. On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Bad Elf Wombat against 5.0 for MachDB. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 3 respectively.
Bad Elf Wombat ships an update every 4 weeks, MachDB every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Bad Elf Wombat | MachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (3 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | — | 100.0% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 3 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 51 MB | 16 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Bad Elf, LLC. | MachDB LLC |
Customer experience
Bad Elf Wombat
MachDB
In-app purchases
Bad Elf Wombat
No in-app purchases
MachDB
No in-app purchases
