Comparison

xWind vs Handy Pilot

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

Handy Pilot

This app offers a suite of aviation-specific calculation tools for pilots of all levels. It simplifies complex flight planning and in-flight adjustments with features like unit conversion, wind component calculation, and descent rate planning. Enhance your flight efficiency and safety with these essential tools.

Highlights
  • Unit Converter for flight operations
  • Time Calculator for flight planning
  • Turning Radius and STD Rate Turn calculations
  • Wind Component and Limitation calculators
  • Descent Rate and Path Angle calculators
  • ILS and PAPI indication calculations
  • Holding Entry Pattern and Load Factor calculations
Features
Read full description

"Handy Pilot" is designed to be used not only by trainees but also by professional pilots. It will become the best partner that can perform complex calculations on your behalf. With this app, your daily flight will definitely become smarter. Enjoy Handy Pilot and have a safe flight. Tools : "Unit Converter" - converts units used in everyday flight operations. "Time Calculator" - add, subtract, multiply, and divide time values. "Turning Radius" - calculates the turning radius based on speed and bank angle. "STD Rate Turn" - calculates the bank angle for making a standard rate turn. "Wind Component" - calculates the crosswind and headwind components. "Wind Limitation" - calculates the wind speed that can meet your limitation, in each wind direction. "Descent Rate" - calculates the descent rate required to maintain the desired path. "ILS Height Check" - calculates the passing altitude at the desired point based on the temperature at that time. "Path Calculator" - calculates the actual path angle based on the true altitude. "Descent Point" - calculates the starting point of descent to obtain the desired descent angle based on the true altitude. "PAPI" - calculates the altitude at which each PAPI indication can be obtained at the desired point. "ILS vs PAPI" - calculates the change in the PAPI indication during the ILS approach. "Entry Pattern" - calculates holding entry pattern based on heading. "Load Factor" - calculates the load factor based on the bank angle. It can also calculate the bank angle at which any load factor can be obtained. * Available on iOS 14.1 and later. * Purchase is required to use all the features.

Screenshots

xWind4 screens
Handy Pilot4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Handy Pilot at Free against xWind's $0.99. Handy Pilot also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.6) and update cadence (every 3 days vs fortnightly). xWind's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1) and ads (none vs shown). On 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

Handy Pilot is free to download; xWind costs $0.99 up front. Handy Pilot sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. xWind asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Handy Pilot 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, Handy Pilot every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 9, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 2 level
xWind versus Handy Pilot: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterxWindHandy Pilot
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.6 (550 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings550 — better1
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 3 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
Best chart rank#200 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.0 — better14.1
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB25 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJan BloemendaalShin Nariai

Customer experience

xWind

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

Handy Pilot

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

Handy Pilot

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

xWind

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

Handy Pilot

One-time1
  • Unlock All Features$2.99

Questions

Is xWind free?
xWind costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Handy Pilot free?
Handy Pilot is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, xWind or Handy Pilot?
Handy Pilot is rated higher. xWind averages 4.6 out of 5 from 550 ratings, while Handy Pilot averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do xWind or Handy Pilot have ads?
Handy Pilot shows ads; xWind does not.
Which is updated more often, xWind or Handy Pilot?
xWind ships an update fortnightly, and Handy Pilot every 3 days. Most recently, xWind was updated on September 26, 2026 and Handy Pilot on September 9, 2026.

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