SimControlX vs Garmin GPS Trainer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SimControlX
Control your flight simulator from your iPad with this instructor station app. Remotely manage aircraft position, weather, and system failures for realistic training and enhanced gameplay. Connects via Wi-Fi to supported simulators.
- iPad instructor station for flight simulators
- Remote aircraft repositioning
- Customizable weather settings
- Simulated system and engine failures
- Worldwide moving map with flight path tracing
- Quick Wi-Fi connection to simulator
- Fuel and battery recharge options
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SimControlX is a sophisticated iPad-based Instructor / Operator Station (IOS) for Prepar3D®, X-Plane and ELITE XTS flight simulators (please review currently supported simulator versions below). SimControlX brings updated iOS platform support, various under-the-hood improvements, a fresh look-and-feel as well as useful new features to its capable predecessor SimControl. It uses Wi-Fi to communicate to the host simulator via custom server software which can be obtained from www.simcontrol.net. SimControlX will enhance your flight simulator experience unlike any other app on the market. This app gives you the power of a powerful instructor station, in your lap! SimControlX grants users the ability to reposition aircraft instantly, change the wind and weather, fail engine components or instruments for realistic training in your simulator and much more without ever needing to get out of the captain’s chair or interrupt the simulation. This helps make the experience fun again by alleviating many of the common complaints, distractions, and tasks that require navigating through multiple computer screens. SimControlX also makes training scenarios easier than ever to achieve. With the use of instant aircraft repositioning you could, for instance, set yourself up for an approach 5, 10 or 15 nautical miles from the runway or even left or right downwind, as many times as you need or practice engine out procedures with the press of a button. Supported Simulators: - Prepar3D® v3.4, v4.0+ and 5.0+ - X-Plane 10 [64-bit] and X-Plane 11 - ELITE XTS Key Features: - Worldwide moving map screen with flight path tracing (requires internet connection) - Changing of user aircraft without using any tedious menus in the host simulator (P3D & X-Plane only) - Instant repositioning of aircraft - Set custom weather settings with multiple layers - Option to use current real METAR weather settings for your local area (requires internet connection) - Quick and easy connection to the simulator over WiFi - Fuel top off and battery recharge at the click of a button - AI traffic display on map (P3D & X-Plane only) - Dedicated failures page for instruments, systems, and engine malfunctions and random failures * This software as well as included data and charts are NOT for real world aviation use. They are intended for flight simulator use only. You must consult appropriate sources before flying a real aircraft. * More information available at www.simcontrol.net * For app support please contact support@simcontrol.net * For non-support questions, please use this email: info@simcontrol.net Credits: * Simulator connectivity thanks to Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D®, Laminar Research's X-Plane and ELITE Simulation Solutions XTS
Garmin GPS Trainer
This app simulates the user interface of a GPS navigator, allowing users to explore its features and operational aspects. It's ideal for improving avionics familiarity and preparing for flights by practicing flight plans.
- Simulated multi-touch and drag interface
- Garmin SafeTaxi with airport information
- High resolution terrain and aviation databases
- Obstacle databases with power line alerting
- Simulated ADS-B Traffic and FIS-B Weather
- Chair fly flight plans
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The Garmin GPS Trainer simulates the system user interface and provides the opportunity to explore the features, options, and fundamental operational aspects of the avionics. When used in combination with the GPS Navigator Series Pilot’s Guide, the trainer can be an effective way to improve avionics familiarity and proficiency at a time and location convenient to the user. The Trainer is also a great way to prepare for a flight because a user can load the anticipated flight plan and “chair fly” the avionics portion of the flight before entering the aircraft. The GPS Trainer includes: • Simulated multi-touch and drag interface – allows you to interact with the system, graphically edit flight plans, and much more • Garmin SafeTaxi – allows you to view detailed airport information on the moving map • High resolution worldwide terrain maps and aviation databases • High resolution obstacle databases including power line alerting • Simulated interfaces and data including: -- ADS-B Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion -- FIS-B Weather with animated NEXRAD -- Airspaces, airways, and Visual Reporting Points * Note: This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. This app should not be used for actual navigation purposes.
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Garmin GPS Trainer at Free against SimControlX's $19.99. Garmin GPS Trainer also leads on ratings volume (19 vs 4). SimControlX's advantage is rating (3.5 vs 2.4) and review sentiment (50% vs 33%). On ads, in-app purchases, device support and iOS requirement 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
Garmin GPS Trainer is free to download; SimControlX costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SimControlX holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.4. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 19 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of SimControlX's written reviews are positive against 33% of Garmin GPS Trainer's.
SimControlX ships an update every 6 weeks, Garmin GPS Trainer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 1, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SimControlX | Garmin GPS Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.5 (4 ratings) — better | 2.4 (19 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 4 | 19 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 13.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | ELITE Simulation Solutions AG | Garmin DCI |
Customer experience
SimControlX
Garmin GPS Trainer
In-app purchases
SimControlX
No in-app purchases
Garmin GPS Trainer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SimControlX free?
Is Garmin GPS Trainer free?
Which has better reviews, SimControlX or Garmin GPS Trainer?
Do SimControlX or Garmin GPS Trainer have ads?
Which is updated more often, SimControlX or Garmin GPS Trainer?
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