iBFDmonochrome vs Sky Widgets
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
iBFDmonochrome
This app provides pilots with a backup flight display, including an attitude indicator, heading indicator, and altimeter. It can also function as a flight data and cockpit voice recorder, offering essential information in emergencies when primary instruments fail.
- Attitude Indicator
- Heading Indicator
- Altimeter
- Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
- Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
- Map with airport information
- Multiple display color modes
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integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) Real pilots understand the risk of a primary flight instrument failure while flying. In certain situations the loss of the Attitude Indicator is perhaps the greatest risk a pilot can face. This iPhone based integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) is an inexpensive, easy to operate tool intended to reduce risk and improve safety if an instrument fails and no other backup is available. This application consists of an Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, Altimeter, Vertical Speed Indicator, speed Indicator, Side Slip Indicator, and Clock. Furthermore, in the portrait mode of the iPad, a Map is displayed below the Attitude Indicator, and when you enter an airport code such as KFTW, the direction and distance to the airport are displayed. It can also be used as Flight Data Recorder(FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR). This function is activated by touching the red circle in the upper left corner. Recording is stopped by touching the red circle again or it will be stopped automatically when large G is applied. iBFD uses the iPhone's 3 axis Gyro sensor as its primary sensor. Pitch and Roll angles are calculated using the Gyro data and the same algorithm as strap down Inertial Reference Systems (IRS). GPS and Accelerometer are used with Kalman filter as sensor fusion to prevent gyro drift and improve Accuracy. The iBFD performs noticeably better than other comparable applications on the market. Unfortunately the iBFD doesn't have FAA certification. It doesn't have enough reliability for use as Primary Flight Instruments, and neither our software nor your iPhone have been subjected to rigorous certification tests. And the accuracy of Map and Airport Information is not guaranteed. All information displayed on the iBFD is for reference only! Therefore, we are not responsible for any death, injury or damage as a result of using the iBFD. USE THIS DEVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Nevertheless, during an In Flight Emergency having an iBFD is far better than having no instrument at all. Particularly if in a limited visibility situation with an inoperative Attitude Indicator. Engine vibration can affect accuracy of the iBFD, so special consideration must be given to mounting the iPhone to the cockpit instrument panel or glare shield. Other features (1) There are three display color modes; Day, Night or NVC. (2) Altitude/Speed is selectable in units of feet/knots, feet/MPH or meter/kilometers per hour. (3) Airspeed is calculated using GPS Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Velocity. Wind Direction and Velocity are obtained via ATIS and set manually. (4) Pitch angle zero can be adjusted manually by touching center of the display or slider setting. (5) Magnetic Heading or True Heading, and GPS or M.S.(Magnetic Sensor) are selectable. (6) Settings Window for entering parameters and user preferences. (7) Battery Icon indication. (8) Recorded data can be accessed by Files. (9) Magnetic Heading can be adjusted with the slider. (10) Function to correct roll angle. However, when performing this function, the iPhone needs to be correctly placed horizontally. (11) Local time or UTC is selectable. (12) GPS Altimeter and Barometric Altimeter. (13) Roll indicator (Sky pointer or Ground pointer) is selectable. Note: Initial roll and pitch angle are calculated using the accelerometer at the time of alignment (same as real IRS). Therefore, if acceleration due to motion is applied during alignment, an angle error will occur. However, such initial angle error automatically decreases with time and disappears after a few minutes in case of level flight.
Sky Widgets
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Smart, customizable avionics widgets and safety alerts: built by a pilot, for pilots. Have you ever made a mistake while flying? Could that mistake have been avoided if you had systems in place to inform you of an issue before it was too late? As the creator of Sky Widgets, I'll be the first to say yes. I've forgotten to raise my flaps until I've already oversped them, landed with a tailwind when I didn't mean to, and even accidentally closed a fuel valve before opening the other. While I continually strive to become a better pilot, I recognize that none of us are perfect. As a software engineer, I see the potential for technology to provide that extra layer in the Swiss cheese. Having access to the right data at the right time helps us make better decisions and ultimately improves the safety of flight. I believe so strongly in the mission of Sky Widgets that even while designing the avionics layout for my own plane, I intentionally left an empty area in my panel for an iPad to allow my vision of Sky Widgets to have a dedicated spot. Sky Widgets isn't a rigid, locked down UI that forces you into fixed layouts with features you don't need for your mission. You design your dashboards around what matters to you and when in your flight you need it. • Custom Flight Dashboards: Build personalized layouts for engine data, flight telemetry, and cockpit alerts without clutter. • Smart Conditional Triggers: Set custom logic and visual cues to catch critical flight parameter changes early. • Avionics Updates: Ever forgotten to copy over your avionics update files from your computer to your USB drive? Sky Widgets lets you use your phone instead to easily transfer these onto your USB drive. • Independent & Privacy-First: Built by a fellow pilot committed to making your flights safer. Your data stays on your device. Sky Widgets will never replace your primary instruments or your responsibility as PIC. Think of it as a customizable co-pilot in your flight bag, offering specialized monitoring and tools that traditional EFIs or EFBs leave out. Start building your first dashboard now.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: iBFDmonochrome at none against Sky Widgets's 1. iBFDmonochrome also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). Sky Widgets's advantage is update cadence (every 2 weeks vs every 11 months). 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
Both are free to download. Sky Widgets sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $79.00 per year. iBFDmonochrome asks for nothing beyond the download.
iBFDmonochrome ships an update every 11 months, Sky Widgets every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | iBFDmonochrome | Sky Widgets |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.4 (9 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 88.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 9 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 11 months | Every 2 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13.0 — better | 18.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 99 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tatsuo Saeki | Leighty Digital LLC |
In-app purchases
iBFDmonochrome
No in-app purchases
Sky Widgets
- Sky Widgets Plus (Founding)3 Months trial$79.001 Year









