Comparison

iBFD vs iEFIS Pro

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

iBFD

This iPhone-based backup flight display offers pilots essential instruments like an attitude indicator, heading indicator, and altimeter. It functions as a flight data and cockpit voice recorder, utilizing GPS and gyro sensors for accuracy. While not FAA certified, it provides a valuable reference during emergencies.

Highlights
  • Attitude Indicator
  • Heading Indicator
  • Altimeter
  • Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
  • Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
  • Map with airport direction/distance
  • Multiple display color modes
Features
Read full description

integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) Pilots understand the risk of a primary flight instrument failure while flying. In certain situations the loss of the Attitude Indicator is perhaps the greatest risk a pilot can face. This iPhone based integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) is an inexpensive, easy to operate tool intended to reduce risk and improve safety if an instrument fails and no other backup is available. This application consists of an Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, Altimeter, Vertical Speed Indicator, speed Indicator, Side Slip Indicator, and Clock. Furthermore, in the portrait mode of the iPad, a Map is displayed below the Attitude Indicator, and when you enter an airport code such as KFTW, the direction and distance to the airport are displayed. It can also be used as Flight Data Recorder(FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR). This function is activated by touching the red circle in the upper left corner. Recording is stopped by touching the red circle again or it will be stopped automatically when large G is applied. iBFD uses the iPhone's 3 axis Gyro sensor as its primary sensor. Pitch and Roll angles are calculated using the Gyro data and the same algorithm as strap down Inertial Reference Systems (IRS). GPS and Accelerometer are used with Kalman filter as sensor fusion to prevent gyro drift and improve Accuracy. The iBFD performs noticeably better than other comparable applications on the market. Unfortunately the iBFD doesn't have FAA certification. It doesn't have enough reliability for use as Primary Flight Instruments, and neither our software nor your iPhone have been subjected to rigorous certification tests. And the accuracy of Map and Airport Information is not guaranteed. All information displayed on the iBFD is for reference only! Therefore, we are not responsible for any death, injury or damage as a result of using the iBFD. USE THIS DEVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Nevertheless, during an In Flight Emergency having an iBFD is far better than having no instrument at all. Particularly if in a limited visibility situation with an inoperative Attitude Indicator. Engine vibration can affect accuracy of the iBFD, so special consideration must be given to mounting the iPhone to the cockpit instrument panel or glare shield. Other features (1) There are three display color modes; Day, Night or NVC. (2) Altitude/Speed is selectable in units of feet/knots, feet/MPH or meter/kilometers per hour. (3) Airspeed is calculated using GPS Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Velocity. Wind Direction and Velocity are obtained via ATIS and set manually. (4) Pitch angle zero can be adjusted manually by touching center of the display or slider setting. (5) Magnetic Heading or True Heading, and GPS or M.S.(Magnetic Sensor) are selectable. (6) Settings Window for entering parameters and user preferences. (7) Battery Icon indication. (8) Recorded data can be accessed by Files. (9) Magnetic Heading can be adjusted with the slider. (10) Function to correct roll angle. However, when performing this function, the iPhone needs to be correctly placed horizontally. (11) Local time or UTC is selectable. (12) GPS Altimeter and Barometric Altimeter. (13) Roll indication by Sky pointer and Ground pointer. Note: Initial roll and pitch angle are calculated using the accelerometer at the time of alignment (same as real IRS). Therefore, if acceleration due to motion is applied during alignment, an angle error will occur. However, such initial angle error automatically decreases with time and disappears after a few minutes in case of level flight.

About

iEFIS Pro

This app simulates a modern glass cockpit for general aviation, displaying flight data from your device's sensors or external GPS. The Pro version offers an airport database with navigation aids.

Highlights
  • iOS sensor data display
  • External GPS connection
  • Course rose and track display
  • Airport database (Pro version)
  • Runway orientation and length
  • Full-screen mode
Features
Read full description

i-EFIS simulates a modern glass cockpit for general aviation and provides the following features: 1. Display iOS iPhone and iPad sensor data: The attitude indicator is driven by the 3D MEMS chip, speed and altitude come from the internal or external GPS (only iOS devices with cellular connection have the integrated GPS!) 2. Or connect the iPhone to a iLEVIL „SW“, „AW“ or „Sport“ device (available at the LEVIL company or in many pilot shops) by WIFI device to get precise attitude and GPS data. 3. A 80 or 360 degree course rose (change with tap on airplane symbol) 4. Magnetic and True GPS track (display in white with with track line) 5. Magnetic or True Heading, heading data is provided by internal compass and is not always reliable. 6. iEFIS Pro version (simple upgrade via inapp purchase!) displays a worldwide airport database and always shows the bearing to the nearest airport from your position with distance, elevation and runway orientation of the main runway of that airport. How to use i-EFIS 1. Tap the speed window to toggle speed units: km/h - mph - knots. Speed displayed is a GPS ground speed 2. Tap on the altitude window to switch from feet MSL to Meters MSL 3. Tap the course window to select the course mode: Magnetic Heading - True Heading - Magnetic Track - True Track. All GPS track modes are displayed in white, heading modes are yellow 4. Tap the airplane symbol to display either the full 360 degree course rose or a 80 degree segment Pro version features 1. Tap on Runway orientation info to see runway length 2. Tap course window and slide up to hide attitude indicator and to switch to full screen mode 3. To calibrate magnetic heading tap course window to show "HDG" (Magnetic Heading), and slide finger left or right to set correct heading. Use airplane's compass as reference 4. To select a different airport than the nearest one simply tap on the airport symbol and the app will display the data for this airport 5. To go back to the nearest airport simply tap the empty space between the airports Airport database in Pro version: 1. Switch Airport database on or off in settings. 2. Use the two finger pinch gesture to zoom airport map in/out More cool Features coming! Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

iBFD2 screens
iEFIS Pro4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: iEFIS Pro at Free against iBFD's $11.99. iEFIS Pro also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.5) and review sentiment (100% vs 67%). iBFD's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.6). On ratings volume, ads and device support 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

iEFIS Pro is free to download; iBFD costs $11.99 up front. iEFIS Pro sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. iBFD asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iEFIS Pro holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 67% of iBFD's written reviews are positive against 100% of iEFIS Pro's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

iBFD ships an update every 3 months, iEFIS Pro every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 22, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
iBFD versus iEFIS Pro: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameteriBFDiEFIS Pro
Price$11.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (4 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better16.6
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTatsuo SaekiairWORK aviation media UG

Customer experience

iBFD

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral11.1%
Negative22.2%

iEFIS Pro

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

None

iBFD

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

iEFIS Pro

Subscriptions1
  • Maps + Weather Subscription1 Month trial$2.991 Month

Questions

Is iBFD free?
iBFD costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iEFIS Pro free?
iEFIS Pro is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, iBFD or iEFIS Pro?
iEFIS Pro is rated higher. iBFD averages 3.5 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while iEFIS Pro averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do iBFD or iEFIS Pro have ads?
Neither iBFD nor iEFIS Pro shows ads.
Which is updated more often, iBFD or iEFIS Pro?
iBFD ships an update every 3 months, and iEFIS Pro every 3 weeks. Most recently, iBFD was updated on September 22, 2026 and iEFIS Pro on September 20, 2026.

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