Comparison

ALTA QGroundControl vs AutoPylot For Drones

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

Head to head
About

ALTA QGroundControl

This application allows users to configure aircraft settings and execute sophisticated autonomous waypoint missions. It is specifically designed for use with ALTA Pro drones.

Highlights
  • Adjust aircraft settings
  • Fly autonomous waypoint missions
  • Designed for ALTA Pro
  • Based on QGroundControl
Features
Read full description

QGroundControl App for ALTA Pro gives users the ability to adjust aircraft settings and fly complex autonomous waypoint missions. Note: This App is based on QGroundControl with some modifications for ALTA Pro. Freefly Systems doesn't provide support for this app outside of use with ALTA Pro.

About

AutoPylot For Drones

This app provides FAA-approved services for drone pilots, including B4UFLY status, LAANC airspace authorizations, and operational awareness. It simplifies flight planning with airspace visualization, weather tools, and customizable safety checklists.

Highlights
  • FAA-approved B4UFLY and LAANC services
  • Instant flight readiness indicator
  • Simplified airspace visualization
  • Near real-time LAANC authorizations
  • Operational awareness of airspace restrictions
  • Customizable safety checklists
  • All-in-one mission management
Features
Read full description

AutoPylot: The #1 Rated FAA-Approved Provider of B4UFLY and LAANC AutoPylot is the highest-rated FAA-approved provider of B4UFLY and LAANC services and is trusted by over 100K drone pilots for its seamless user experience and powerful features. Whether you’re a recreational flyer or a professional operator, AutoPylot makes flying drones safer, easier, and stress-free. Why AutoPylot? FAA-Approved (B4UFLY & LAANC) & Trusted: AutoPylot is the easiest-to-use FAA-approved app, offering unparalleled reliability and a user-friendly interface. Top-Rated by Pilots: Join the over 100K+ satisfied pilots and enthusiasts who have made AutoPylot the highest-rated drone app on the market. Key Features - Instant Flight Readiness (B4UFLY Status Indicator): Instantly know if you are good to fly, need approval (LAANC), or cannot fly in your planned flight area. - Simplified Airspace Visualization: Take the guesswork out of airspace with clear, easy-to-read maps and advisories to remove uncertainty from your flight planning. - Near Real-Time Authorizations (LAANC Approvals): AutoPylot is an FAA-approved LAANC provider that helps pilots get fast, near-real-time authorizations for flights in controlled airspace. - Operational Awareness: B4UFLY, stay informed with detailed data on local drone rules, Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), National Parks, wilderness areas, and wildlife refuges. - Customizable Safety Checklists: Build pre-, during-, and post-flight checklists and add them to any missions to improve safety. Make tasks time-sensitive to receive reminders via push notifications. - All-in-One Mission Management: Log, monitor, and edit mission details, access advisories, track weather, create notes, share flights, and more—all in one place. - Mission-Specific Weather Tools: Plan with precise mission-specific weather insights, including hourly updates, 10-day forecasts, and wind/precipitation maps. Sign up for a free trial of AutoPylot+, our advanced pre-flight planning weather features! Fly Smarter, Fly Safer AutoPylot takes the guesswork out of drone flying, helping you confidently focus on your mission. Download the highest-rated FAA-approved app and experience the easiest way to manage your drone operations. Download AutoPylot today and take flight like never before! https://www.autopylot.io AutoPylot: Ready, Set, Fly! Terms: https://www.autopylot.io/terms/ Privacy Policy: https://www.autopylot.io/privacy/

Screenshots

ALTA QGroundControl2 screens
AutoPylot For Drones4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: AutoPylot For Drones at 76% against ALTA QGroundControl's 25%. AutoPylot For Drones also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.0) and update cadence (monthly vs every 6 months). ALTA QGroundControl's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 4) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. AutoPylot For Drones sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. ALTA QGroundControl asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AutoPylot For Drones holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: AutoPylot For Drones has 5.4K ratings behind it against 13, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 25% of ALTA QGroundControl's written reviews are positive against 76% of AutoPylot For Drones's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ALTA QGroundControl ships an update every 6 months, AutoPylot For Drones monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 20, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
ALTA QGroundControl versus AutoPylot For Drones: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterALTA QGroundControlAutoPylot For Drones
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (13 ratings)4.9 (5.4K ratings) — better
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews76.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings135.4K — better
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB69 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFREEFLY SYSTEMS INC.AutoPylot, INC

Customer experience

ALTA QGroundControl

All ratings13 ratings
Positive69.2%
Neutral7.7%
Negative23.1%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative50.0%

AutoPylot For Drones

All ratings5,393 ratings
Positive98.1%
Neutral1.1%
Negative0.7%
Written reviews121 reviews
Positive76.0%
Neutral4.1%
Negative19.8%

Bugs and requests

ALTA QGroundControl

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

AutoPylot For Drones

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Miscategorizing flights as requiring ATC approval
  • Lack of controlled airspace information in certain regions

Requested features

5 requests
  • Ability to edit missions
  • Support for polygonal LAANC requests
  • Integration with FAA TFR website
  • Access to weather data before LAANC submission
  • Support for Part 107 and recreational missions

In-app purchases

None

ALTA QGroundControl

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

AutoPylot For Drones

Subscriptions4
  • AutoPylot+ (Monthly)7 Days trial$3.991 Month
  • AutoPylot+ (Monthly)7 Days trial$4.991 Month
  • AutoPylot+ (Annual)7 Days trial$39.991 Year
Show 1 more
  • AutoPylot+ (Annual)7 Days trial$49.991 Year

Questions

Is ALTA QGroundControl free?
ALTA QGroundControl is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AutoPylot For Drones free?
AutoPylot For Drones is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ALTA QGroundControl or AutoPylot For Drones?
AutoPylot For Drones is rated higher. ALTA QGroundControl averages 4.0 out of 5 from 13 ratings, while AutoPylot For Drones averages 4.9 from 5.4K ratings.
Do ALTA QGroundControl or AutoPylot For Drones have ads?
Neither ALTA QGroundControl nor AutoPylot For Drones shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ALTA QGroundControl or AutoPylot For Drones?
ALTA QGroundControl ships an update every 6 months, and AutoPylot For Drones monthly. Most recently, ALTA QGroundControl was updated on October 20, 2026 and AutoPylot For Drones on October 30, 2026.

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