Comparison

Garmin GTN Xi Trainer vs Boldmethod

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

Head to head
About

Garmin GTN Xi Trainer

This application simulates the user interface of avionics systems, allowing users to explore features and operational aspects. It's ideal for improving familiarity and proficiency with avionics, and for pre-flight planning by loading flight plans to practice the navigation portion of a flight.

Highlights
  • Simulates system user interface
  • Explores features and options
  • Improves avionics familiarity
  • Pre-flight planning tool
  • Access to system menus and maps
  • Garmin FliteCharts
  • Worldwide terrain and aviation databases
Read full description

The Garmin GTN 650Xi / 750Xi Trainer simulates the system user interface and provides the opportunity to explore the features, options, and fundamental operational aspects of the avionics. When used in combination with the GTN Xi Series Pilot’s Guide, the trainer can be an effective way to improve avionics familiarity and proficiency at a time and location convenient to the user. The Trainer is also a great way to prepare for a flight because a user can load the anticipated flight plan and “chair fly” the avionics portion of the flight before entering the aircraft. The GTN 650Xi / 750Xi Trainer includes: • Access to system menus, maps, flight planning, and more • Garmin FliteCharts to view published approach charts • High resolution worldwide terrain maps, aviation databases, and obstacle databases including powerline alerting • Simulated interfaces and data including: -- ADS-B and TCAS Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion -- FIS-B & SiriusXM Weather, Stormscope Lightning Detection, and Garmin GWX 70 Weather Radar -- Audio Panel and Transponder Simulation * This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. This app should not be used for actual navigation purposes. Please note, this trainer is not a full simulator and does not have interfaces to other aircraft systems. As a result, some features have limited or no functionality and the Trainer doesn’t fully replicate the system operation.

About

Boldmethod

Enhance your aviation knowledge with extensive video training and online courses. Practice with quizzes and master essential piloting skills like takeoffs, landings, airspace navigation, and weather interpretation. Prepare for checkrides and improve your flying proficiency.

Highlights
  • Extensive video training library
  • Online aviation courses
  • Pilot knowledge quizzes
  • Master takeoffs and landings
  • National Airspace System training
  • Aviation weather interpretation
  • VFR charts and publications
Read full description

Want to improve your piloting skills? Then the Boldmethod app is for you. With over 50 hours of videos and online training courses, you'll walk away with the knowledge that makes you a better pilot. Access your Boldmethod training courses in one app, watch the latest training videos, and test your knowledge with quizzes. What's new? The Feed and Challenges tabs are the place to start learning or to brush up on your aviation knowledge. When you're ready to take the next step, sign up for courses to truly master your pilot knowledge. MASTERING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS Do you have a perfect landing every time? Neither do we. This video course helps you master your takeoffs and landings. Whether you're trying to stop floating past your landing point or trying to smooth out your touchdown, you'll learn how to fix any of your takeoff and landing problems with this simple-to-use online course. The course breaks down takeoffs and landings into sections: Normal Takeoffs Traffic Patterns Normal Landings Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings Short Field Takeoffs and Landings Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings Non-Standard Takeoffs and Landings Night Takeoffs and Landings NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM Our airspace course covers everything you need to know about the National Airspace System, including Class A-G airspace, Special Use Airspace, and Other Airspace. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down airspace into sections: Class A airspace Class B airspace Class C airspace Class D airspace Class E airspace Class G airspace Special use airspace Other airspace AVIATION WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS Our weather course covers everything you need to know about aviation weather, including METARs, TAFs, Pilot Reports, Graphical Forecasts For Aviation, Winds Aloft Forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down aviation weather into sections: METARs TAFs PIREPs Graphical Forecasts For Aviation Winds Aloft Forecasts AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs VFR CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS Our charts course covers everything you need to know about VFR charts and publications, including sectional charts, terminal area charts, the Digital Chart Supplement, and NOTAMs. The course breaks down publications into sections: Sectional Charts Terminal Area Charts Digital Chart Supplement NOTAMs MOUNTAIN WEATHER Do you want to feel more comfortable flying around the high country? Boldmethod's Mountain Weather course helps make that happen. You'll learn how to evaluate mountain weather during your planning and while you're in flight. You'll also learn how terrain generates updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, and storms, and changes the direction of the wind throughout the day. The course breaks down weather into sections: Mountain Waves Strong Surface Winds Updrafts, Downdrafts, And Turbulence Convergence Zones Coastal Mountain Wind Systems The North American Monsoon Daily (Diurnal) Winds In Valleys Mountain Thunderstorms

Screenshots

Boldmethod4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Boldmethod at 97% against Garmin GTN Xi Trainer's 17%. Boldmethod also leads on rating (4.9 vs 2.8) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months). Garmin GTN Xi Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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

Both are free to download. Boldmethod sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Garmin GTN Xi Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Boldmethod holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 2.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boldmethod has 823 ratings behind it against 34, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 17% of Garmin GTN Xi Trainer's written reviews are positive against 97% of Boldmethod's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin GTN Xi Trainer ships an update every 3 months, Boldmethod every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 17, 2026 and September 17, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Garmin GTN Xi Trainer versus Boldmethod: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin GTN Xi TrainerBoldmethod
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.8 (34 ratings)4.9 (823 ratings) — better
Positive reviews16.7% of reviews97.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings34823 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS13 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size2.4 GB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDigital CycloneBoldMethod, LLC

Customer experience

Garmin GTN Xi Trainer

All ratings34 ratings
Positive44.1%
Neutral5.9%
Negative50.0%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive16.7%
Neutral8.3%
Negative75.0%

Boldmethod

All ratings823 ratings
Positive98.4%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive97.3%
Neutral2.7%
Negative0.0%

Bugs and requests

Garmin GTN Xi Trainer

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

Boldmethod

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashing or freezing issues
  • Compatibility problems with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Provide explanations for incorrect answers in quizzes
  • Improve navigation and progress tracking through courses

In-app purchases

None

Garmin GTN Xi Trainer

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Boldmethod

One-time9
  • Aviation Weather Products$19.99
  • National Airspace System$19.99
  • VFR Charts$19.99
Show 6 more
  • National Airspace System$24.99
  • Aviation Weather Products$24.99
  • VFR Charts and Publications$24.99
  • Mastering Takeoffs & Landings$139.99
  • Mountain Weather$299.99
  • Instrument Procedures$499.99

Questions

Is Garmin GTN Xi Trainer free?
Garmin GTN Xi Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Boldmethod free?
Boldmethod is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Garmin GTN Xi Trainer or Boldmethod?
Boldmethod is rated higher. Garmin GTN Xi Trainer averages 2.8 out of 5 from 34 ratings, while Boldmethod averages 4.9 from 823 ratings.
Do Garmin GTN Xi Trainer or Boldmethod have ads?
Boldmethod shows ads; Garmin GTN Xi Trainer does not.
Which is updated more often, Garmin GTN Xi Trainer or Boldmethod?
Garmin GTN Xi Trainer ships an update every 3 months, and Boldmethod every 3 weeks. Most recently, Garmin GTN Xi Trainer was updated on June 17, 2026 and Boldmethod on September 17, 2026.

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