Comparison

PlaneSpotting vs PlanesTV

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

PlanesTV

Features
Read full description

Since 1989 and the days of VHS tape PlanesTV has brought you the very best aviation action. Become a member today for access to live airshow broadcasts, our latest aviation releases and our archive of airshow nostalgia. ▷ Already a Member? Sign-In to access your subscription. ▷ New? Subscribe in the app to get instant access. PlanesTV offers auto-renewing subscriptions. You'll receive unlimited access to content on all your devices. Payment is charged to your Account at confirmation of purchase. Pricing varies by location and is confirmed prior to purchase. Subscription automatically renews each month unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period, or the trial period (when offered). Cancel anytime in Account Settings. For more information see our: -Terms of Service: https://watch.planestv.com/pages/terms-of-service -Privacy Policy: https://watch.planestv.com/pages/privacy-policy

Screenshots

PlaneSpotting4 screens
PlanesTV3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: PlaneSpotting at fortnightly against PlanesTV's monthly. On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. PlaneSpotting sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $5.49 per year and PlanesTV sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $12.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

PlaneSpotting ships an update fortnightly, PlanesTV monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 13, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
PlaneSpotting versus PlanesTV: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPlaneSpottingPlanesTV
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (13 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings13 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size175 MB63 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperImagekings LimitedPLANES TV. COM LIMITED

In-app purchases

1 purchases

PlaneSpotting

Subscriptions1
  • Premium Service Database$5.491 Year
2 purchases

PlanesTV

Subscriptions2
  • App Monthly$12.991 Month
  • App Annual$129.991 Year

Questions

Is PlaneSpotting free?
PlaneSpotting is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is PlanesTV free?
PlanesTV is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do PlaneSpotting or PlanesTV have ads?
Neither PlaneSpotting nor PlanesTV shows ads.
Which is updated more often, PlaneSpotting or PlanesTV?
PlaneSpotting ships an update fortnightly, and PlanesTV monthly. Most recently, PlaneSpotting was updated on September 15, 2026 and PlanesTV on September 13, 2026.

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