Comparison

Aufwind vs Variometer+

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

Head to head
About

Aufwind

Plan cross-country glider flights with detailed weather forecasts, airspace information, and a visual task planner. Export your plans to flight computers or XCSoar. Access soaring-specific weather data like thermal strength and cloudbase.

Highlights
  • Visual task planner
  • Overlay airspaces and NOTAMs
  • Soaring weather forecasts
  • Export tasks to flight computers
  • Import custom waypoints and airspaces
  • SkySight weather integration
Features
Read full description

Aufwind: (noun, German) an upward current of air, updraft. A good preparation is crucial for a safe, relaxed, fun, successful cross-country flight. Overlay all relevant information like airspaces, NOTAMs, waypoints and weather on the map and plan your task for the day with the easy to use visual task planner.  Export the task as a CUP file to an SD-card or mail it to yourself and load it up into your flight computer (LX, Oudie and others) or XCSoar. Soaring Weather: Aufwind comes with most crucial soaring forecasts already built-in: - Thermal strength - Cumulus cloudbase - Rain - Wind To get even more detailed soaring forecasts, you can login with your SkySight account in the app. Task Planner: Plan your task for the day interactively on the map overlaid with the weather forecast, airspaces and other relevant information. Thousands of waypoints are already built into Aufwind but you can import your own as well. You can export the planned task to an SD-card or email to use with your on-board flight computer or XCSoar. Airspaces & NOTAMs: Keep on top of local airspaces and NOTAMs and increase flight safety. Airspaces for many countries are already built into Aufwind but you can also import your own airspace files in OpenAir format into the app. ------------------- Aufwind is free to download and free to use. Some features do require a valid subscription. If you choose to upgrade to Aufwind Pro Subscription, your Apple ID account at the confirmation of purchase or at the end of the free trial period, if offered. Your Aufwind Pro Subscription automatically renews unless unless it is canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period. The subscription is offered in yearly period. The price per period will be shown for all subscription options in the app before you confirm purchase or start your free trial, if offered. Aufwind Pro Subscription enables you to overlay weather data on the map for both built-in weather and SkySight forecast (with SkySight account login). You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your account settings on the App Store any time after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Privacy Policy: https://aufwind.app/privacy-policy Terms of Service: https://aufwind.app/terms

About

Variometer+

This app provides a highly responsive variometer for paragliding, hang gliding, and aviation. It offers customizable beeps, haptic feedback, and ground speed/altitude displays, with an independent Apple Watch app for full functionality on your wrist.

Highlights
  • Highly responsive variometer algorithm
  • Audible beeps and haptic feedback
  • Ground speed and altitude display
  • Sink alarm
  • Customizable settings and sounds
  • Independent Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

Variometer+ is the most responsive variometer for your iPhone or/and Apple Watch. Works for all activities (paragliding, hang gliding, aviation, ...). • Super reactive / responsive thanks to a very advanced algorithm • Beeps like a real variometer (or haptic feedback on your wrist) • Shows ground speed & altitude (sea level & relative to take-off) • Sink alarm • Entirely configurable (settings sync with Apple Watch through iCloud) • Choose among several gauges • Change units (m/s, ft/min, ...) • Customize beeps tresholds • Customize gauge max & min values based on your activity • Customize the sound of your vario (frequency, cadence, ...) for maximum comfort • Independent Apple Watch app (sound, haptic feedback, ...) → everything on your wrist • ... and more Use at your own risk. The creator cannot be held responsible for any issue that might arise. Common sense should prevail. Fly safe! This app respects your privacy and does not collect any data. Feedback is welcome and appreciated, you can contact me from within the app :-). Please be nice with me ;-). About the algorithm: This variometer is not an ordinary app. To provide this level of responsiveness, a very advanced mathematical technique is being used. This is called ‘Sensor fusion’. It uses data from multiple sensors of your devices, and combines them to increase accuracy and responsiveness. This has been developed in collaboration with researchers from the university of UCLouvain in Belgium. Because of the efficiency, hence complexity, of the algorithm, a great amount of computational power is required. This is why, based on the tests, the advanced level of responsiveness is only available on recent devices. The app still works - but is less responsive - on older devices though. Enjoy! --------- The terms of use & privacy policy can be found here: https://variometer.app/terms-and-privacy.html

Screenshots

Aufwind4 screens
Variometer+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Variometer+ at 4.8 against Aufwind's 4.0. Variometer+ also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 53%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases 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. Aufwind sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year and Variometer+ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Variometer+ holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 20 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 53% of Aufwind's written reviews are positive against 89% of Variometer+'s.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aufwind ships an update every 2 months, Variometer+ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 11, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Aufwind versus Variometer+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAufwindVariometer+
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (20 ratings)4.8 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews53.3% of reviews89.5% of reviews — better
Number of ratings2027 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.4 — better
Further details — not scored
Size120 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFifteen Jugglers Software UGiSolid apps

Customer experience

Aufwind

All ratings20 ratings
Positive70.0%
Neutral15.0%
Negative15.0%
Written reviews15 reviews
Positive53.3%
Neutral13.3%
Negative33.3%

Variometer+

All ratings27 ratings
Positive96.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative3.7%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive89.5%
Neutral0.0%
Negative10.5%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Aufwind

Subscriptions2
  • Aufwind Pro Yearly7 Days trial$29.991 Year
  • Aufwind Pro Yearly7 Days trial$39.991 Year
3 purchases

Variometer+

Subscriptions2
  • Vario PRO Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Vario PRO Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Vario PRO Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Aufwind free?
Aufwind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Variometer+ free?
Variometer+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Aufwind or Variometer+?
Variometer+ is rated higher. Aufwind averages 4.0 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Variometer+ averages 4.8 from 27 ratings.
Do Aufwind or Variometer+ have ads?
Neither Aufwind nor Variometer+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aufwind or Variometer+?
Aufwind ships an update every 2 months, and Variometer+ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Aufwind was updated on September 11, 2026 and Variometer+ on September 23, 2026.

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