Comparison

Hughes App vs AvNav

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

Head to head
About

Hughes App

This aviation app provides USHST members with dynamic moving maps, georeferenced charts, and comprehensive aeronautical data. It offers live weather updates, exclusive content, and robust safety tools for reporting issues and requesting services.

Highlights
  • Dynamic moving maps
  • Georeferenced charts
  • Aeronautical data access
  • Live weather updates
  • Safety reporting tools
  • Exclusive member content
Read full description

Unlock the Sky with HUGHES: The Essential EFB for USHST Members Elevate your aviation experience with the HUGHES app, proudly presented by the HUGHES Aerospace Corporation exclusively for US Helicopter Safety Team (USHST) members. As a comprehensive electronic flight bag (EFB), this app offers dynamic moving maps and georeferenced charts, ensuring you always have the most accurate flight data at your fingertips. Key Features Include: • Advanced EFB Capabilities: Navigate confidently with dynamic moving maps and georeferenced charts that integrate seamlessly into your flight planning. • Comprehensive Aeronautical Data: Access FAA VFR, IFR, Terminal Procedures, ZK Routes, airport details, and more. • Live Updates: Stay informed with real-time NOTAMS, METARs, TAFs, Weather Radar, and FAA Weather Cameras. • Exclusive Content for HUGHES Customers: Benefit from Special Instrument Procedures (SIAPs) and associated NOTAMS, specifically designed for your navigation requirements. • Robust Safety Tools: Enhance your operational safety with tools for reporting obstacles, navigation data issues, chart changes, and safety or security concerns—either directly or anonymously. • Personalized Services: Request Instrument Approaches, Surveys, Flight Inspections, or Heliport Inspections directly through the app. • Become a Member: You can also become a USHST member for free right within the app, unlocking additional resources and community support. The HUGHES app is your all-in-one resource for navigating the skies safely and efficiently. Download today to take full control of your flight preparation and execution, and join a community dedicated to helicopter safety!

About

AvNav

This navigation app offers advanced 3D airspace visualization and AI-assisted flight planning for pilots. It provides essential Electronic Flight Bag tools, including charts, weather, and traffic, with live ATC transcription and simulator support.

Highlights
  • 3D airspace and terrain visualization
  • AI-assisted flight planning
  • Live ATC audio and transcription
  • ADS-B traffic display
  • Offline maps and charts
  • Weight and balance calculations
  • X-Plane simulator integration
Read full description

See airspace in 3D. Read ATC — not just hear it. Plan around weather with AI. AvNav is a complete Electronic Flight Bag built for pilots flying in U.S. airspace. It combines the everyday EFB tools pilots expect — charts, plates, airport diagrams, aircraft profiles, weight and balance, checklists, weather, ADS-B traffic, flight logging, logbook, replay, and offline data — with advanced 3D visualization, live ATC transcription, simulator support, and AI-assisted flight planning. Start with a free ground-mode preview, then unlock full cockpit capabilities with a CoPilot subscription. FREE GROUND MODE — EXPLORER Explore AvNav before subscribing. • Live ATC audio and transcription • Real-time ADS-B traffic • 3D airspace and terrain visualization • Airport and traffic awareness from the ground COPILOT — FULL EFB Unlock the complete AvNav cockpit experience. • AI-assisted flight planning and route analysis • FAA charts, plates, and airport diagrams • Offline maps, charts, plates, and airport data • Aircraft performance profiles • Weight and balance • Aircraft checklists • Fuel price information • Flight logging • Logbook entries • Recorded flight review and replay • PFD display support • X-Plane simulator integration • ADS-B receiver integration, including Stratux-compatible devices BUILT FOR DAY-TO-DAY FLYING AvNav now supports the core workflows pilots expect from an everyday EFB: plan the flight, review airports and weather, use aircraft-specific data, manage checklists, calculate weight and balance, fly with ADS-B traffic and weather, record flights, review them afterward, and build logbook entries. ADVANCED 3D COCKPIT AWARENESS AvNav goes beyond flat maps. • 3D satellite terrain across U.S. airspace • 3D airspace visualization • ADS-B traffic display • Weather overlays including NEXRAD and METARs • Live ATC transcription where supported • Fused navigation from GPS, ADS-B, X-Plane, and replay sources • PFD support when attitude data is available FLIGHT LOGGING, LOGBOOK, AND REPLAY Record, review, and replay your flights. • Automatic and manual flight logging • Recorded flight list • Flight replay with play, pause, seek, rate, loop, and review controls • Replay feeds the same navigation system used by the map and PFD • Create and edit logbook entries • Link recorded flights to logbook entries X-PLANE SIMULATOR SUPPORT Use X-Plane at home to test AvNav before flying. • Connect AvNav to X-Plane over your local network • Drive the 3D map and PFD from simulator data • Record simulator flights • Replay simulator flights for review and testing OFFLINE-FIRST Download the data you need before flight. • Maps • Charts • Plates • Airport diagrams • Airport and navigation data Continue navigating when cockpit connectivity is limited or unavailable. SUBSCRIPTION • Monthly and annual CoPilot plans • Includes a 30-day trial • Auto-renews unless canceled AvNav brings complete EFB utility, 3D situational awareness, AI planning, live ATC transcription, ADS-B traffic, flight logging, logbook, replay, and simulator testing together in one cockpit system. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Hughes App4 screens
AvNav4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Hughes App at 4.9 against AvNav's 4.2. Hughes App also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 1). On price, ratings volume, update cadence and ads 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. AvNav sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $149.99 per year. Hughes App asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Hughes App holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.2. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 5 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hughes App ships an update fortnightly, AvNav every 10 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Hughes App versus AvNav: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHughes AppAvNav
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.9 (8 ratings) — better4.2 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews—50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings8 — better5
Update frequencyFortnightlyEvery 10 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.616.6
Further details — not scored
Size489 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHUGHES AerospaceAvNav, LLC

Customer experience

Hughes App

All ratings8 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

AvNav

All ratings5 ratings
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%
Written reviews2 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

None

Hughes App

No in-app purchases

1 purchases

AvNav

Subscriptions1
  • CoPIlot Founder Edition$149.991 Year

Questions

Is Hughes App free?
Hughes App is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AvNav free?
AvNav is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Hughes App or AvNav?
Hughes App is rated higher. Hughes App averages 4.9 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while AvNav averages 4.2 from 5 ratings.
Do Hughes App or AvNav have ads?
Neither Hughes App nor AvNav shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hughes App or AvNav?
Hughes App ships an update fortnightly, and AvNav every 10 days. Most recently, Hughes App was updated on October 10, 2026 and AvNav on October 11, 2026.

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