Comparison

Launch Console vs Flyby

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

Head to head
About

Launch Console

Track and view live rocket launches from Florida. Features include a real-time launch clock, mission details, and a compass to find the best viewing spot.

Highlights
  • Live rocket launch streams
  • Launch viewing compass
  • Real-time launch clock
  • Upcoming mission tracking
  • In-depth mission plans
  • Rocket details
Features
Read full description

Features: • Watch a live stream of every rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida. • Locate the exact spot on the horizon to watch during a live rocket launch using the Compass feature. • Countdown every second with real-time launch clock on the main screen. • Keep track of upcoming missions including current launch schedule, in-depth mission plans and rocket details.

About

Flyby

Track satellites and rocket launches with real-time AR overlays and precise visibility predictions. Get notified only for the best viewing opportunities based on your location and environmental factors. Experience live flight simulations with haptic feedback and integrated audio.

Highlights
  • Real-time launch simulations
  • AR satellite and launch spotting
  • Precise visibility predictions
  • 30,000+ object tracking
  • Live telemetry and audio
  • Customizable alerts
  • Lock Screen and Dynamic Island integration
Read full description

Flyby is a subscription-based app. An active subscription is required to use Flyby. Flyby gives you the full experience — real-time launch simulations, AR overlays, and alerts built around what you can actually see from your location. It tracks 30,000+ objects, launches worldwide, and tells you exactly when and where to look. KNOW WHEN YOU'LL SEE IT Flyby computes exact T+ time windows for when a launch will be visible from your location. Not just "a rocket is launching tonight" — you'll know the precise seconds after liftoff when the vehicle enters your line of sight, what direction to face, and how high to look. KNOW WHERE TO LOOK Open the AR spotting tool and Flyby places a marker on the satellite or launch vehicle in your sky. No star charts, no guesswork. Point your phone up and find it. ONLY PASSES WORTH GOING OUTSIDE FOR Flyby's visibility engine factors in orbital geometry, solar illumination, atmospheric conditions, satellite brightness, and your local light pollution. You only get notified when there's something real to spot — not just when something is overhead. FEEL EVERY STAGE OF THE FLIGHT A real-time ascent simulation with haptic feedback, stage separations, live telemetry on a 3D globe, and integrated livestream audio. Follow the flight from ignition to orbit. THE GLOBE Launches, satellites, visible passes, and live telemetry on a single interactive 3D globe. See who's aboard a space station when it's passing. The most relevant events for your location come first. YOUR MISSIONS, YOUR ALERTS Follow your favorite agencies and companies. Customize exactly what you get notified about. Launch countdowns and pass tracking arcs show up on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island through Live Activities. Terms of Use: https://getflyby.app/terms Privacy Policy: https://getflyby.app/privacy EULA: https://getflyby.app/eula

Screenshots

Launch Console4 screens
Flyby4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Flyby at 100% against Launch Console's 34%. Flyby also leads on rating (4.5 vs 2.7) and update cadence (every 8 days vs every 2 months). Launch Console's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2) and ratings volume (303 vs 16). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Flyby sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Launch Console asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Flyby holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Launch Console has 303 ratings behind it against 16, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 34% of Launch Console's written reviews are positive against 100% of Flyby's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Launch Console ships an update every 2 months, Flyby every 8 days. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
Launch Console versus Flyby: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLaunch ConsoleFlyby
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.7 (303 ratings)4.5 (16 ratings) — better
Positive reviews34.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings303 — better16
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 8 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS12.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB55 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBrevard County Board of County CommissionersRedshift Software, LLC

Customer experience

Launch Console

All ratings303 ratings
Positive36.0%
Neutral8.3%
Negative55.8%
Written reviews100 reviews
Positive34.0%
Neutral11.0%
Negative55.0%

Flyby

All ratings16 ratings
Positive87.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Launch Console

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes on launch
  • Countdown timer not working correctly
  • Compass not pointing accurately
  • Inconsistent launch information
  • Compatibility issues with newer devices

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add push notifications for launches
  • Provide actual launch time, not just countdown
  • Include launch location details
  • Integrate with calendar for reminders
  • Expand to cover launches from other sites

Flyby

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Launch Console

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Flyby

Subscriptions2
  • Flyby Pro - Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Flyby Pro - Annual7 Days trial$39.991 Year

Questions

Is Launch Console free?
Launch Console is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Flyby free?
Flyby is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Launch Console or Flyby?
Flyby is rated higher. Launch Console averages 2.7 out of 5 from 303 ratings, while Flyby averages 4.5 from 16 ratings.
Do Launch Console or Flyby have ads?
Neither Launch Console nor Flyby shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Launch Console or Flyby?
Launch Console ships an update every 2 months, and Flyby every 8 days. Most recently, Launch Console was updated on October 13, 2026 and Flyby on October 8, 2026.

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