Comparison

Garmin GPS Trainer vs Autopilot Trainer

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

Autopilot Trainer

Simulate the interface and logic of a general aviation autopilot. Practice engaging the system, flying headings, climbing, and executing various approaches before real-world flight. Designed for pilots to understand autopilot functions beyond just button presses.

Highlights
  • Autopilot interface simulation
  • Practice single-engine logic
  • Fly headings and climb
  • Capture ILS/GS
  • Execute RNP and visual approaches
Features
Read full description

The autopilot trainer allows you to experience the autopilot panel interface. Practise single-engine general aviation autopilot logic before you ever touch the aircraft. Modeled on the modern GA flight deck, familiar to pilots flying aircraft retrofitted with current-generation digital autopilots. Built for pilots who want to understand what the autopilot is actually doing, not just which button to press. Practise basic features like engaging the autopilot, fly headings and climb with IAS. More complex features like capturing ILS/GS, flying an RNP approach or a visual approach are also possible.

Screenshots

Autopilot Trainer4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Garmin GPS Trainer at 2.1 against Autopilot Trainer's 1.0. Garmin GPS Trainer also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ratings volume (28 vs 1). Autopilot Trainer's advantage is update cadence (every 5 weeks vs every 3 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Autopilot Trainer sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Garmin GPS Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Garmin GPS Trainer holds the better App Store score, 2.1 against 1.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Garmin GPS Trainer has 28 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin GPS Trainer ships an update every 3 months, Autopilot Trainer every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Garmin GPS Trainer versus Autopilot Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin GPS TrainerAutopilot Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.1 (28 ratings) — better1.0 (1 ratings)
Positive reviews33.3% of reviews—
Number of ratings28 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 5 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad — better
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.3 GB73 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarmin DCIOpti Orbit

Customer experience

Garmin GPS Trainer

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

Autopilot Trainer

All ratings1 ratings
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

Garmin GPS Trainer

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Autopilot Trainer

One-time1
  • Lifetime Unlock$29.99

Questions

Is Garmin GPS Trainer free?
Garmin GPS Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Autopilot Trainer free?
Autopilot Trainer is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Garmin GPS Trainer or Autopilot Trainer?
Garmin GPS Trainer is rated higher. Garmin GPS Trainer averages 2.1 out of 5 from 28 ratings, while Autopilot Trainer averages 1.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Garmin GPS Trainer or Autopilot Trainer have ads?
Neither Garmin GPS Trainer nor Autopilot Trainer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Garmin GPS Trainer or Autopilot Trainer?
Garmin GPS Trainer ships an update every 3 months, and Autopilot Trainer every 5 weeks. Most recently, Garmin GPS Trainer was updated on October 23, 2026 and Autopilot Trainer on October 10, 2026.

Other comparisons