xWind vs Runway Wind
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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.
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.
- Headwind, tailwind, crosswind calculation
- Runway and wind alignment
- Wind speed slider
- Lock runway rotation
- Wind sock and chart symbol reference
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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
Verdict
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
xWind costs $0.99 and Runway Wind $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
xWind ships an update fortnightly, Runway Wind every 8 months. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | xWind | Runway Wind |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | $0.99 |
| Rating | 4.6 (550 ratings) | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 550 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 8 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free — better | Paid |
| Best chart rank | #177 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.5 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 1 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jan Bloemendaal | Small Aviation Tools |
Customer experience
xWind
Runway Wind
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
xWind
No in-app purchases
Runway Wind
No in-app purchases









