Comparison

Flight Test X20 vs IFR Flight Simulator

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

Head to head
About

Flight Test X20

Prepare for FAA knowledge tests with this comprehensive study platform. It offers top-off preparation for various pilot and aviation professional written exams, including instrument rating and ATP.

Highlights
  • FAA knowledge test preparation
  • Pilot study course
  • Dispatcher study course
  • Instrument rating preparation
  • Instructor written test prep
  • ATP written test prep
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Flight Test X20 is Sheppard Air's latest student study course learning platform for FAA knowledge tests. It allows those students studying for pilot, dispatcher, instrument rating, instructor, flight engineer, ATP, and interviewee written tests to do their top-off preparation for the final knowledge test.

About

IFR Flight Simulator

This aviation simulator helps pilots master IFR procedures and prepare for instrument ratings. Practice holdings, intercepts, and approaches with realistic flight simulation and navigation tools on your phone. Ideal for student and experienced pilots seeking convenient, effective training.

Highlights
  • Realistic aviation training
  • Worldwide flight navigation database
  • Comprehensive training modes
  • Real-time flight simulator
  • Integrated autopilot
  • Optimal holding entry path overlay
Features
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Practice holdings, radial intercepts, and DME arcs on your phone before your next simulator session. Calculate the procedure, fly it with live instruments, and review your track in the debrief. IFR Flight Simulator combines focused IFR procedure training with real-time flight simulation, worldwide navigation data, and a choice of glass cockpit or classic gauges. What you can practice: • Holding Trainer: Randomized holding situations. Determine the entry, calculate the wind correction angles, then fly the pattern. • Intercept Trainer: Inbound and outbound radial intercepts as well as QDM/QDR intercepts. • DME Arc Trainer: Fly DME arcs and calculate the angle of lead to turn onto the inbound course at the right moment. • Approaches: Set up a final intercept, a position in the pattern (downwind, base, or final), or a full approach at any airport, including ILS. • IFR mental math: Practice entries, wind correction angles, and lead points until the calculations become automatic. Worldwide navigation database: • Navigation data from a recent AIRAC cycle, with worldwide coverage: 13,000+ airports and 10,000+ VORs, NDBs, and other navaids. • Train with real airports and navaids instead of generic exercise locations. Real-time flight simulator: • Modern glass cockpit (PFD and ND) or classic gauges. • Autopilot with rotary controls for heading, altitude, and speed, or fly manually by tilting your device. • Fast-forward mode to repeat procedures efficiently. • Live Map: your position and flight path in real time. • Live Needle Overlay: watch where the HSI and CDI needles actually point as they move with the aircraft symbol across the map. • Optimal Holding Entry Path Overlay: compare your flown track with the wind-corrected entry and holding pattern. • Flight Log with Debrief: every flight is recorded. Replay the track and the needle movement, or resume the flight later. Built for instrument rating training, proficiency practice, and simulator assessments. "I am currently training for my Instrument Rating, and my FI recommended this app to me. I didn't think such a high quality, useful training tool was possible as an app. Incredible for VOR bearings, practicing holds and command headings." App Store review by Sa4mmy Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com. Disclaimer: This application is for training and educational purposes only. It must not be used for real-world flight planning or in-flight decision-making. While the developer strives to provide information and calculations that are as accurate and up-to-date as reasonably possible, they may still be incomplete or inaccurate, and other accepted methods exist for deriving procedures and correction angles. Always verify data against official aeronautical publications and follow the guidance of a certified flight instructor. The developer accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from use of this software. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Flight Test X20 at none against IFR Flight Simulator's 9. IFR Flight Simulator's advantage is update cadence (every 5 days vs every 5 weeks) and rating (4.3 vs 3.9). On price, review sentiment, ratings volume 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. IFR Flight Simulator sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Flight Test X20 asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 3.9. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 96 and 106 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 60% of Flight Test X20's written reviews are positive against 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Flight Test X20 ships an update every 5 weeks, IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Flight Test X20 versus IFR Flight Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFlight Test X20IFR Flight Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (96 ratings)4.3 (106 ratings) — better
Positive reviews60.0% of reviews64.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings96106 — better
Update frequencyEvery 5 weeksEvery 5 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS14.0 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size25 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSheppard Air, Inc.Tobias Maihoff

Customer experience

Flight Test X20

All ratings93 ratings
Positive67.7%
Neutral8.6%
Negative23.7%
Written reviews45 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral13.3%
Negative26.7%

IFR Flight Simulator

All ratings103 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral17.6%
Negative17.6%

In-app purchases

None

Flight Test X20

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions5
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time3
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
  • Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99

Questions

Is Flight Test X20 free?
Flight Test X20 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Flight Test X20 or IFR Flight Simulator?
IFR Flight Simulator is rated higher. Flight Test X20 averages 3.9 out of 5 from 96 ratings, while IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 from 106 ratings.
Do Flight Test X20 or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Neither Flight Test X20 nor IFR Flight Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Flight Test X20 or IFR Flight Simulator?
Flight Test X20 ships an update every 5 weeks, and IFR Flight Simulator every 5 days. Most recently, Flight Test X20 was updated on October 24, 2026 and IFR Flight Simulator on October 25, 2026.

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