Comparison

AirScope vs Flight Tracker

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

Head to head
About

AirScope

Visualize real-time aircraft positions and air traffic control information on a world map. Connect to local receivers or use cloud-based data to track flights and available ATC positions for virtual aviation networks.

Highlights
  • Real-time aircraft tracking
  • Radar/ATC style map interface
  • VATSIM/IVAO network integration
  • Local ADS-B receiver connection
  • Cloud-based ADS-B data
  • Detailed flight information display
  • ATC position plotting
Features
Read full description

AirScope is a plane plotter that retrieves aircraft positions and measurements from online sources and displays them on top of a world map in radar / ATC style. When flying online with VATSIM or IVAO (or even as preparation for a flight in one of these networks) it's often useful to have an overview of who's in the air at any given moment or which ATC positions are currently filled and online. AirScope shows just that in a stylish universal interface for iOS and macOS devices. With the ADS-B Interface users can connect AirScope to their local receiver and display traffic data as it's being broadcast. AirScope can connect to a computer with one of these receivers and an instance of dump1090 to recognise messages in SBS (BaseStation) format on a TCP port (default 30003) and plot air traffic on its map. On top of that, with the built-in complimentary cloud based ADS-B, users can see real traffic from various places in the world (anywhere where there's voluntary coverage) even without being there or having a receiver themselves. The ADS-B Interface functionality is enabled and available through an in-app purchase. The data is retrieved from the online and public info servers of the respective networks (for which an Internet connection is required) at periodic intervals and traffic is plotted accordingly. Tapping on a plane (target) further discloses a tag with additional information about the flight such as its callsign, aircraft type, squawk, flight level, vertical speed, flight stage, course, speed, departure and arrival. VATSIM and IVAO positions currently online are also plotted / shaped and shown on the map together with their frequencies so that virtual pilots can contact them should they enter their airspace.

About

Flight Tracker

Features
Read full description

Flight Tracker - Live Radar is an indispensable tool for aviation enthusiasts and travelers alike. Stay updated on flights in real-time with precise information about all active flights worldwide. Key features of the app include: 1. Flight Tracking: Access detailed information about flights, including route, aircraft type, current location, speed, altitude, and expected time of arrival. 2. Add Favorite Flights: Track the flights that interest you by adding them to your list of favorites. This allows you to quickly find the information you need without unnecessary searches. 3. Flight Notifications: Never miss an important event with your favorite flights. Receive notifications about flight status, schedule changes, and other important updates. 4. Interactive Map: Explore flights on a global map with an intuitive interface. View the current positions of aircraft in real-time and track their movement. Flight Tracker - Live Radar provides reliable and up-to-date flight information, helping you stay informed about all aviation events worldwide. Whether you're a passenger, aviation professional, or simply an enthusiast, this app will be your trusted companion in the world of aviation. Terms - https://spark-develop.com/terms.php Privacy policy - https://spark-develop.com/privacy.php Terms of Use (EULA) - https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

AirScope4 screens
Flight Tracker4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: AirScope at 12.1 against Flight Tracker's 15.0. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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. AirScope sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Flight Tracker sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AirScope ships an update monthly, Flight Tracker every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 6, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
AirScope versus Flight Tracker: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirScopeFlight Tracker
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (8 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews66.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — betteriPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS12.1 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size177 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperJoao CabralPinborg Managment Limited

In-app purchases

1 purchases

AirScope

One-time1
  • ADS-B Interface$4.99
3 purchases

Flight Tracker

Subscriptions3
  • Week Subscription3 Days trial$4.997 Days
  • Full access on month3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • Year subscription3 Days trial$29.991 Year

Questions

Is AirScope free?
AirScope is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Flight Tracker free?
Flight Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do AirScope or Flight Tracker have ads?
Neither AirScope nor Flight Tracker shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AirScope or Flight Tracker?
AirScope ships an update monthly, and Flight Tracker every 3 weeks. Most recently, AirScope was updated on October 6, 2026 and Flight Tracker on October 5, 2026.

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