# Aufwind vs Updraft

The clearest difference is rating: Updraft at 5.0 against Aufwind's 4.0. Updraft also leads on update cadence (weekly vs every 2 months). Aufwind's advantage is ratings volume (20 vs 1). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Aufwind sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per year and Updraft sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Updraft holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Aufwind has 20 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Aufwind ships an update every 2 months, Updraft weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Aufwind | Updraft |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.0 (20 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aufwind-glider-flight-prep/id1472566219/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/updraft-glider-training/id6806376914/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **20** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 53.3% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Size | 120 MB | 46 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **16.4** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Fifteen Jugglers Software UG](https://appshunter.io/developer/292972357) | [DAVID,HOWARD PASCHKES](https://appshunter.io/developer/6803953780) |

## What reviewers say

### Aufwind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aufwind-glider-flight-prep/id1472566219)

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:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Aufwind Pro Yearly | $29.99 | per year |
| Aufwind Pro Yearly | $39.99 | per year |


### Updraft

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/updraft-glider-training/id6806376914)

This app automatically records glider flights, providing detailed post-flight analysis of altitude, speed, and flight paths. It offers coaching features for thermalling and instructor debriefs, with optional upgrades for advanced instruments and forecasts.

**Highlights:** Automatic flight recording, Post-flight analysis, Thermal coaching, Instructor debrief transcription, Flight path replay, Soaring forecasts, Home screen widgets

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pro Monthly | $3.99 | per month |
| Max Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Updraft Pro | $29.99 | per year |
| Max Yearly | $69.99 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Aufwind free?

Aufwind is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Updraft free?

Updraft is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Aufwind or Updraft?

Updraft is rated higher. Aufwind averages 4.0 out of 5 from 20 ratings, while Updraft averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Aufwind or Updraft have ads?

Neither Aufwind nor Updraft shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Aufwind or Updraft?

Aufwind ships an update every 2 months, and Updraft weekly. Most recently, Aufwind was updated on November 6, 2026 and Updraft on November 2, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*
