Comparison

PlaneSpotting vs LocoScene

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

Head to head
About

PlaneSpotting

Track civilian and military aircraft registered in the UK. Log sightings with details like location and photos, or record flight information. Export your data for analysis and bulk import.

Highlights
  • UK aircraft registration database
  • Log sightings with photos
  • Record flight details
  • Data export and import
  • Browse aircraft by type
  • Regular updates
Features
Read full description

PlaneSpotting is the ultimate app for anybody involved with the aviation industry in the UK from professional pilots to plane spotters! It contains the details of every civilian flying machine registered to fly in the UK - more than 20,000 of them! Increasing numbers of UK Military aircraft (current and historic) are also being added with each update. The standard version database is updated annually. If you require the very latest registrations we recommend our Premium Subscription which is updated every two weeks with, typically, 70 registration changes. For Sightings you only need to save the Registration but you can also add: Location, Photo (camera or library), Date & notes. For Flights you only need Origin & Destination but you can also add: Registration (adding number automatically generates a spot), Photo (camera or library), Departure Date & Time (defaults to current date & time for quick save on boarding), Arrival Date & Time & Notes. You can view your data via Trip or Location or Browse the entire internal app database via type! You can export your data for viewing via a spreadsheet, this will also allow you to add sightings or flights in bulk and then import the file. We encourage your interaction with us via our dedicated website or directly from within the app. If you provide us with a default type image (assuming you have copyright permissions) your name and the URL of your choice will be included in the next update! Premium Subscription details: Subscription price: £4.99 Description: Provides our Premium Service database for users who need the very latest UK registrations. Trial duration: None Offered Subscription duration: 1 year Please read below about the auto-renewing subscription nature of this product: Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable Terms of Use: http://www.plane-spotting.co.uk/privacyPolicy.htm Privacy Policy: http://www.plane-spotting.co.uk/privacyPolicy.htm

About

LocoScene

This app allows users to view and record train sightings and sessions, complete with photographs of locomotives. It serves as a mobile companion to a dedicated website, enabling users to easily contribute their own observations while on the go.

Highlights
  • View member-recorded sessions and sightings
  • Browse locomotive photographs
  • Add new sessions and sightings
  • Upload photographs of locomotives
  • Official companion to LocoScene website
Features
Read full description

The LocoScene App is the official companion app of the LocoScene website. View sessions and sightings recorded by other members along with photographs of individual locomotives. While out and about trackside, easily add sessions, sightings and photographs to your records. Terms of use: https://www.locoscene.co.uk/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.locoscene.co.uk/privacy

Screenshots

PlaneSpotting4 screens
LocoScene4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: PlaneSpotting at 100% against LocoScene's 0%. PlaneSpotting also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 months) and device support (3 vs 1). LocoScene's advantage is monetization model (free vs free with in-app purchases). On price, ads and in-app purchases 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. PlaneSpotting sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.49 per year and LocoScene sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $11.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlaneSpotting ships an update fortnightly, LocoScene every 5 months. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
PlaneSpotting versus LocoScene: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaneSpottingLocoScene
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 5 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size175 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImagekings LimitedIan Steel

Customer experience

PlaneSpotting

All ratings13 ratings
Positive84.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative15.4%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

LocoScene

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PlaneSpotting

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Service Database$5.491 Year
1 purchases

LocoScene

Subscriptions1
  • Annual Subscription$11.991 Year

Questions

Is PlaneSpotting free?
PlaneSpotting is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is LocoScene free?
LocoScene is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PlaneSpotting or LocoScene have ads?
Neither PlaneSpotting nor LocoScene shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlaneSpotting or LocoScene?
PlaneSpotting ships an update fortnightly, and LocoScene every 5 months. Most recently, PlaneSpotting was updated on October 24, 2026 and LocoScene on October 11, 2026.

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