Comparison

Basic Vectoring vs Hello Tower

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

Head to head
About

Basic Vectoring

Features
Read full description

Basic Vectoring starts by teaching basic aircraft vectoring concepts and gradually builds in stages to teach more complex skill sets. Players learn the effects of different variables on aircraft and, once they master their compass rose directions, can start learning proper phrasing and ways to give vectoring commands using either the keypad or verbally, with speech-to-text technology. They also experience how wind and speed impact an aircraft’s flight path. Every stage presents new challenges to players, all while showing where they rank within their cohort. Players can get up to 3 stars per level based on achievements, so when they replay the game they can challenge their previous results.

About

Hello Tower

Experience realistic airport ground control with this simulation app. Manage aircraft movements, issue clearances, and handle emergencies across over 40 diverse airports. Progress from simple single-runway operations to complex hub airports.

Highlights
  • Airport ground maneuvering simulation
  • Over 40 different airports
  • Simplified and real-size airport versions
  • Pushback, taxi, and take-off clearances
  • Emergency handling
  • Level-based progression
Features
Read full description

Airport ground maneuvering simulation of more than 40 different airports including  London Heathrow LHR, Philadelphia PHL, Miami Intl. MIA, Singapore, New York JFK, Las Vegas LAS, São Paulo GRU, Montreal YUL, Boston BOS, and many more.  Different versions of airports included: - Play the simplified version, where the airport is scaled down to an easy playable experience. - Play the real thing. Here the whole airport is in real size displayed, where all your skills are required. Features - Give pushback, taxi, holding and take-off clearances.  - Handle emergencies and try to release all flights on time in order to release the next level. From an easy single-runway operation at the beginning to demanding hub airports with multiple active runways where all your skills are required.

Screenshots

Basic Vectoring4 screens
Hello Tower4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Basic Vectoring at Free against Hello Tower's $2.99. Basic Vectoring also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and iOS requirement (11.0 vs 18.0). Hello Tower's advantage is update cadence (every 9 days vs every 5 months). On 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

Basic Vectoring is free to download; Hello Tower costs $2.99 up front. Hello Tower sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. Basic Vectoring asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Basic Vectoring ships an update every 5 months, Hello Tower every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Basic Vectoring versus Hello Tower: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterBasic VectoringHello Tower
PriceFree — better$2.99
Rating—4.4 (65 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—70.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—65 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 monthsEvery 9 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS11.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size119 MB412 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRigilSascha Trachsel

Bugs and requests

Basic Vectoring

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Hello Tower

Reported bugs

37 issues
  • Flight freezing on runway holding and turns
  • Aircraft getting stuck and blocking routes
  • 30-second departure timer disappearing
  • Aircraft crashing with held aircraft on taxiway
  • Levels not unlocking
Show 32 more
  • Game freezes/crashes, especially at Heathrow
  • Separation logic errors
  • Aircraft not selectable
  • Game hangs/freezes after updates
  • New UI is confusing and unreadable
  • Sounds missing after update
  • Focus on aircraft and readability worsened
  • Aircraft symbols obscured by labels
  • Tapping messages only selects aircraft once
  • Parking spots shown as available when occupied
  • Planes crossing paths and getting stuck
  • Aircraft becoming 'ghosts' blocking routes
  • Runway timer resets to zero before 30 seconds
  • Departure separation timer sometimes fails to appear
  • Recent updates have made the game fiddly and difficult
  • UI is worse after recent updates
  • Levels changed after recent updates
  • Game becomes unplayable after updates
  • Aircraft roll with extreme speed
  • UI for iPhones is terrible
  • Previous version was better
  • Custom game mode is buggy
  • Some airport orientations are off
  • Ground radars not oriented to true north
  • Cannot make aircraft move
  • Cannot park landed aircraft
  • Game ends with blocked runway when it's not
  • Impossible timings leading to penalties
  • Aircraft launching in both directions on the same runway simultaneously
  • Departure slot timer bug
  • Aircraft on final approach not being able to be directed away
  • Aircraft on runway preventing others from crossing

Requested features

23 requests
  • Add more airports (US, European, Asian, Indian cities)
  • Add an endless/sandbox mode
  • Add AI voice recognition and ATC dialogues
  • Implement a tutorial or walk-through
  • Add a 'continue game' or save progress option
Show 18 more
  • Add more realistic separation rules and traffic patterns
  • Improve UI and controls (smaller buttons, better organization)
  • Add option to designate departure/arrival runways
  • Add rejected takeoffs, emergency vehicles, emergency inbounds
  • Add ability to call a go-around
  • Allow custom stop points
  • Add more sounds for aircraft
  • Add a smaller tutorial airport
  • Add day/night environment switching
  • Add towing/pushback option for stuck aircraft
  • Add Chinese language support
  • Add more content/levels, possibly a sequel
  • Improve graphics and aircraft dynamics
  • Add music and better menu
  • Add indication when flights actually depart
  • Add beacon lights to taxiway hotspots
  • Add more realistic taxi speeds and turnaround times
  • Add runway vacation instructions

In-app purchases

None

Basic Vectoring

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Hello Tower

One-time4
  • Hello Tower Test$0.99
  • Airport Pack$0.99
  • Sandbox test2 variants$0.99
Show 1 more
  • Airport Pack$1.99

Questions

Is Basic Vectoring free?
Basic Vectoring is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Hello Tower free?
Hello Tower costs $2.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Do Basic Vectoring or Hello Tower have ads?
Neither Basic Vectoring nor Hello Tower shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Basic Vectoring or Hello Tower?
Basic Vectoring ships an update every 5 months, and Hello Tower every 9 days. Most recently, Basic Vectoring was updated on September 21, 2026 and Hello Tower on October 7, 2026.

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