Comparison

Radar Performance vs Simple Xwind

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

Head to head
About

Radar Performance

This application calculates the geometry of aircraft weather radar beams relative to Earth, the freezing level, and the "bright band" for optimal weather detection. It identifies areas on the radar display where the beam is too high or low for effective weather detection and highlights potential ground returns.

Highlights
  • Calculates weather radar beam geometry
  • Considers Earth and freezing level
  • Identifies optimal detection altitudes
  • Shows areas of ineffective beam coverage
  • Highlights potential ground returns
  • Supports various radar models
Features
Read full description

Radar Performance calculates the geometry of aircraft weather radar beams with respect to the earth, the freezing level, and the band of altitudes that provide the maximum weather radar returns (the "bright band"). It also shows the areas on the radar display where the beam is too high or low to effectively detect active weather and areas where you may see ground returns. Radar Performance also includes an Overfly mode for confirming that the tops of lower-level convective weather remain safely below your aircraft. You choose a safe clearance altitude and a tactical range, and the app calculates the radar tilt at which the bottom of the beam just reaches that altitude at that range. With this tilt set, any weather returns indicate that the tops have penetrated your safety margin, so going around the weather is advised. Overfly mode is available at aircraft altitudes of 15,000 ft and above, and is inspired by Tom McGrath's "Snowplow" technique. Radar Performance supports a variety of weather radar models as well as a "generic" model. It is not specific to any aircraft type.

About

Simple Xwind

Quickly calculate crosswind and tailwind limits during flight. This app provides fast, precise calculations without clutter or unnecessary graphics, designed for immediate use when conditions change unexpectedly.

Highlights
  • Quick crosswind calculations
  • Precise tailwind limits
  • Fast and reliable
  • Simple, clutter-free interface
  • Designed for speed
Features
Read full description

You're on short final when the tower provides updated winds. The conditions have changed more than expected, and there’s no time for mental math to determine if you're within crosswind and tailwind limits. Xwind gives you quick and precise calculations when you need them most. No clutter, no unnecessary graphics—just a fast, reliable crosswind calculator built for ease of use. Unlike other bulky apps, Xwind is designed for speed and simplicity, so you can get the data you need instantly. No extra clicks, no distractions—just numbers.

Screenshots

Radar Performance3 screens
Simple Xwind3 screens

Verdict

The call

Radar Performance and Simple Xwind both sit at 5.0 stars, but that hides the real split: 100% of Radar Performance's written reviews are positive against 67% of Simple Xwind's. Simple Xwind's advantage is monetization model (free vs ad-supported). On price, rating, 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 5.0 for Radar Performance against 5.0 for Simple Xwind. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 2 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 100% of Radar Performance's written reviews are positive against 67% of Simple Xwind's.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Radar Performance versus Simple Xwind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRadar PerformanceSimple Xwind
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (4 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings4 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 2 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationAd-supportedFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size8 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPOH Performance L.L.C.Alex Deutz

Customer experience

Radar Performance

All ratings4 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Simple Xwind

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Radar Performance

No in-app purchases

None

Simple Xwind

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Radar Performance free?
Radar Performance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Simple Xwind free?
Simple Xwind is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Radar Performance or Simple Xwind?
Radar Performance and Simple Xwind are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 4 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do Radar Performance or Simple Xwind have ads?
Neither Radar Performance nor Simple Xwind shows ads.

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