Comparison

ICARUS vs AusterMessaging

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

Head to head
About

ICARUS

This application works with a smart view-limiting hood to simulate low visibility conditions for pilot training. It allows trainees and instructors to control visual environments, enabling practice for various flight scenarios. The device uses modern materials to simulate challenging visual conditions safely.

Highlights
  • Simulates low visibility conditions
  • Controls view-limiting hood
  • Variable visual environment simulation
  • VFR into IMC/IIMC simulation
  • Instrument approach training
Features
Read full description

The ICARUS app controls the ICARUS Device, a smart view-limiting hood which simulates low visibility conditions. ICARUS restricts a pilot's view outside the cockpit, and is capable of simulating varying levels of visual conditions, providing trainees and instructors with greater control over the visual environment. Innovative modern materials allow ICARUS to simulate VFR into IMC/IIMC, Marginal VMC and Instrument Approaches to minimums.

About

AusterMessaging

Features
Read full description

Auster Messaging provides ultra reliable low latency messaging for situations when delivery counts. Allows for both personal and 'Aircraft' conversations where AGU-1 hardware provides a messaging hub for satellite connectivity ensuring your organisation maintains communications when it matters.

Screenshots

ICARUS2 screens
AusterMessaging3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: AusterMessaging at every 2 weeks against ICARUS's every 35 months. ICARUS's advantage is iOS requirement (8.0 vs 26.0). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ICARUS ships an update every 35 months, AusterMessaging every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 7 level
ICARUS versus AusterMessaging: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterICARUSAusterMessaging
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 35 monthsEvery 2 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS8.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size71 MB66 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperICARUS Devices LLCAirborne Mission Systems Pty Ltd

In-app purchases

None

ICARUS

No in-app purchases

None

AusterMessaging

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ICARUS free?
ICARUS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AusterMessaging free?
AusterMessaging is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do ICARUS or AusterMessaging have ads?
Neither ICARUS nor AusterMessaging shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ICARUS or AusterMessaging?
ICARUS ships an update every 35 months, and AusterMessaging every 2 weeks. Most recently, ICARUS was updated on November 2, 2026 and AusterMessaging on October 31, 2026.

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