Comparison

Garmin GPS Trainer vs IFR Flight Simulator

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

IFR Flight Simulator

This aviation simulator helps pilots master IFR procedures and prepare for instrument ratings. Practice holdings, intercepts, and approaches with realistic flight simulation and navigation tools on your phone. Ideal for student and experienced pilots seeking convenient, effective training.

Highlights
  • Realistic aviation training
  • Worldwide flight navigation database
  • Comprehensive training modes
  • Real-time flight simulator
  • Integrated autopilot
  • Optimal holding entry path overlay
Features
Read full description

Practice holdings, radial intercepts, and DME arcs on your phone before your next simulator session. Calculate the procedure, fly it with live instruments, and review your track in the debrief. IFR Flight Simulator combines focused IFR procedure training with real-time flight simulation, worldwide navigation data, and a choice of glass cockpit or classic gauges. What you can practice: • Holding Trainer: Randomized holding situations. Determine the entry, calculate the wind correction angles, then fly the pattern. • Intercept Trainer: Inbound and outbound radial intercepts as well as QDM/QDR intercepts. • DME Arc Trainer: Fly DME arcs and calculate the angle of lead to turn onto the inbound course at the right moment. • Approaches: Set up a final intercept, a position in the pattern (downwind, base, or final), or a full approach at any airport, including ILS. • IFR mental math: Practice entries, wind correction angles, and lead points until the calculations become automatic. Worldwide navigation database: • Navigation data from a recent AIRAC cycle, with worldwide coverage: 13,000+ airports and 10,000+ VORs, NDBs, and other navaids. • Train with real airports and navaids instead of generic exercise locations. Real-time flight simulator: • Modern glass cockpit (PFD and ND) or classic gauges. • Autopilot with rotary controls for heading, altitude, and speed, or fly manually by tilting your device. • Fast-forward mode to repeat procedures efficiently. • Live Map: your position and flight path in real time. • Live Needle Overlay: watch where the HSI and CDI needles actually point as they move with the aircraft symbol across the map. • Optimal Holding Entry Path Overlay: compare your flown track with the wind-corrected entry and holding pattern. • Flight Log with Debrief: every flight is recorded. Replay the track and the needle movement, or resume the flight later. Built for instrument rating training, proficiency practice, and simulator assessments. "I am currently training for my Instrument Rating, and my FI recommended this app to me. I didn't think such a high quality, useful training tool was possible as an app. Incredible for VOR bearings, practicing holds and command headings." App Store review by Sa4mmy Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com. Disclaimer: This application is for training and educational purposes only. It must not be used for real-world flight planning or in-flight decision-making. While the developer strives to provide information and calculations that are as accurate and up-to-date as reasonably possible, they may still be incomplete or inaccurate, and other accepted methods exist for deriving procedures and correction angles. Always verify data against official aeronautical publications and follow the guidance of a certified flight instructor. The developer accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from use of this software. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IFR Flight Simulator at 4.3 against Garmin GPS Trainer's 2.1. IFR Flight Simulator also leads on review sentiment (65% vs 33%) and update cadence (every 5 days vs every 3 months). Garmin GPS Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.6). On price and ads 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. IFR Flight Simulator sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Garmin GPS Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 2.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 28 and 107 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 33% of Garmin GPS Trainer's written reviews are positive against 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin GPS Trainer ships an update every 3 months, IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on November 2, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Garmin GPS Trainer versus IFR Flight Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin GPS TrainerIFR Flight Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.1 (28 ratings)4.3 (107 ratings) — better
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews64.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings28107 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size1.3 GB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarmin DCITobias Maihoff

Customer experience

Garmin GPS Trainer

All ratings19 ratings
Positive31.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative57.9%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative62.5%

IFR Flight Simulator

All ratings103 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral17.6%
Negative17.6%

In-app purchases

None

Garmin GPS Trainer

No in-app purchases

5 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions5
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year

Questions

Is Garmin GPS Trainer free?
Garmin GPS Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Garmin GPS Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
IFR Flight Simulator is rated higher. Garmin GPS Trainer averages 2.1 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 from 107 ratings.
Do Garmin GPS Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Neither Garmin GPS Trainer nor IFR Flight Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin GPS Trainer or IFR Flight Simulator?
Garmin GPS Trainer ships an update every 3 months, and IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. Most recently, Garmin GPS Trainer was updated on November 2, 2026 and IFR Flight Simulator on November 3, 2026.

Other comparisons