Comparison

xWind vs Runway Wind

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

Head to head
About

xWind

This tool helps pilots quickly assess wind conditions relative to aircraft limitations. It displays essential wind data, including headwind, crosswind, and tailwind components, along with runway course and wind limits on a single screen for easy reference during flight.

Highlights
  • Headwind, crosswind, and tailwind calculation
  • Displays current wind direction and speed
  • Shows runway course
  • Indicates applied wind limits
  • Identifies 'forbidden' wind angles
  • Provides maximum wind speed table
  • Adjustable wind and runway settings
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

xWind is an easy to use tool to assist pilots in evaluating wind conditions with respect to head, cross and tailwind limitations. Once setup, the xWind app provides all information in one single screen, requiring minimal user interaction during high workload phases of flight, displaying: - Current wind direction and speed - Runway course - Cross and head or tailwind components - Currently applied wind limits - 'Forbidden' wind angles based on the current wind speed - Maximum wind speed table based on current wind limits ​ Reference wind, runway course, as well as wind limits, can all be adjusted on the main screen by either dragging the wind arrow, course rose or wind limit lines. A settings button at the bottom presents a popup screen where both the units for wind speed (Kts or Mps) and the default values for wind limits can be specified. In addition to the general setting for wind speed units, the user can select the alternative units for only the current wind, wind components and maximum winds table by double tapping the wind display at the top of the main screen. When operating from a Kts country into Mps territory, this option allows to set the current wind and see the maximum allowed winds in Mps, based on limits that are still set in Kts. Or vice versa.... xWinds supports iOS darkmode.

About

Runway Wind

Calculate headwind, tailwind, and crosswind components for takeoff and landing. This tool helps pilots visualize wind direction and speed relative to a runway, with reference icons for clarity.

Highlights
  • Headwind, tailwind, crosswind calculation
  • Runway and wind alignment
  • Wind speed slider
  • Lock runway rotation
  • Wind sock and chart symbol reference
Features
Read full description

Use Runway Wind to assess the headwind, tailwind and crosswind components affecting you on takeoff and landing. Spin the arrows to align the runway and the wind, and use the slider to set the wind speed. Wind components for each runway is given in easily understandable terms. You can lock the runway rotation by tapping the lock symbol to avoid inadvertent readjustment of the runway. Two icons indicate the wind: a wind sock and a wind chart symbol. These serve as a reference to avoid mistakes and confusion when reading wind charts and when observing the wind sock at the airfield. Runway Wind is for reference and educational purposes only. Always make your own judgement - other factors than the wind may play a role. The results of Runway Wind are only as accurate as the data you input.

Screenshots

xWind4 screens
Runway Wind2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: xWind at free against Runway Wind's paid. xWind also leads on update cadence (fortnightly vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (550 vs 1). Runway Wind's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.6). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

xWind costs $0.99 and Runway Wind $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Runway Wind holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: xWind has 550 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

xWind ships an update fortnightly, Runway Wind every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
xWind versus Runway Wind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterxWindRunway Wind
Price$0.99$0.99
Rating4.6 (550 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings550 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree — betterPaid
Best chart rank#177 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.5
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJan BloemendaalSmall Aviation Tools

Customer experience

xWind

All ratings550 ratings
Positive90.0%
Neutral3.8%
Negative6.2%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative20.0%

Runway Wind

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

xWind

Reported bugs

1 issue
  • Speed toggle doesn't work, always shows MPS

Requested features

3 requests
  • Incorporate gust factors
  • 3 customizable buttons for quick limit settings
  • Different colored concentric rings inside the red limit ring

Runway Wind

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

xWind

No in-app purchases

None

Runway Wind

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is xWind free?
xWind costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Runway Wind free?
Runway Wind costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, xWind or Runway Wind?
Runway Wind is rated higher. xWind averages 4.6 out of 5 from 550 ratings, while Runway Wind averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do xWind or Runway Wind have ads?
Neither xWind nor Runway Wind shows ads.
Which is updated more often, xWind or Runway Wind?
xWind ships an update fortnightly, and Runway Wind every 8 months. Most recently, xWind was updated on September 26, 2026 and Runway Wind on September 9, 2026.

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