xWind vs WingCalc
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.
WingCalc
This aviation calculator provides essential flight calculations for pilots, from preflight planning to in-flight decisions. It offers instant results for density altitude, runway wind components, and navigation planning, with a dashboard for all flight parameters.
- Density altitude and pressure altitude calculations
- Runway wind component determination
- Navigation planning with wind correction
- Flight parameters dashboard
- Live GPS with real-time coordinates
- Automatic magnetic variation detection
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WingCalc - Aviation Calculator Essential flight calculations for pilots, right in your pocket. WingCalc is the aviation calculator companion designed for student pilots, private pilots, and flight enthusiasts. Get instant results for the calculations you need most - from preflight planning to in-flight decisions. DENSITY ALTITUDE Calculate density altitude and pressure altitude with real-time performance warnings. Know when conditions will affect your aircraft's climb rate, takeoff roll, and overall performance. RUNWAY WIND Instantly determine headwind and crosswind components for any runway. Enter wind direction, speed, and runway heading to get the numbers you need for safe takeoffs and landings. NAVIGATION Plan your cross-country flights with wind correction angle, true heading, magnetic heading, compass heading, and ground speed calculations. Optional compass deviation input for precise navigation. DASHBOARD View all your flight parameters at a glance. WCA, headings, ground speed, wind components, and altitude calculations - all in one place. PRO FEATURES - Live GPS: Real-time coordinates, altitude, ground speed, and heading - Automatic magnetic variation detection based on your location - Ad-free experience Perfect for flight training, cross-country planning, or quick calculations on the ramp. Simple, fast, and reliable.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: WingCalc at Free against xWind's $0.99. xWind's advantage is rating (4.6 vs 2.0) and review sentiment (75% vs 33%). On update cadence, 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
WingCalc is free to download; xWind costs $0.99 up front. WingCalc sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. xWind asks for nothing beyond the download.
xWind holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 2.0. 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. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of xWind's written reviews are positive against 33% of WingCalc's.
xWind ships an update fortnightly, WingCalc weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | xWind | WingCalc |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $0.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.6 (550 ratings) — better | 2.0 (1 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 550 — better | 1 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | #152 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 18.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Jan Bloemendaal | App4Life Sweden AB |
Customer experience
xWind
WingCalc
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
WingCalc
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
xWind
No in-app purchases
WingCalc
- WingCalc Pro$0.99








