Comparison

Glider Frequency vs Variometer+

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

Head to head
About

Glider Frequency

Features
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Fix your phone to anything that vibrates and measure its frequency in Hz or per minute. Glider wings, wing beats, machine vibration, springs, flexing boards — anything that repeats. FEATURES - Finds the frequency by running an FFT on the accelerometer waveform - Estimates down to 0.01 Hz with a Hann window, zero padding and peak interpolation - Automatically removes the effect of tilt - Real-time frequency spectrum and confidence level - 10-second average - Adjustable analysis window (5, 10 or 20 s), sensor axis and minimum frequency - Built-in tutorial for first-time users HOW TO USE 1. Fix the phone firmly to the object, screen facing up 2. Press Start to begin a 3-2-1 countdown 3. Start the vibration and the frequency appears Measurement range is roughly 0.5–50 Hz.

About

Variometer+

This app provides a highly responsive variometer for paragliding, hang gliding, and aviation. It offers customizable beeps, haptic feedback, and ground speed/altitude displays, with an independent Apple Watch app for full functionality on your wrist.

Highlights
  • Highly responsive variometer algorithm
  • Audible beeps and haptic feedback
  • Ground speed and altitude display
  • Sink alarm
  • Customizable settings and sounds
  • Independent Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

Variometer+ is the most responsive variometer for your iPhone or/and Apple Watch. Works for all activities (paragliding, hang gliding, aviation, ...). • Super reactive / responsive thanks to a very advanced algorithm • Beeps like a real variometer (or haptic feedback on your wrist) • Shows ground speed & altitude (sea level & relative to take-off) • Sink alarm • Entirely configurable (settings sync with Apple Watch through iCloud) • Choose among several gauges • Change units (m/s, ft/min, ...) • Customize beeps tresholds • Customize gauge max & min values based on your activity • Customize the sound of your vario (frequency, cadence, ...) for maximum comfort • Independent Apple Watch app (sound, haptic feedback, ...) → everything on your wrist • ... and more Use at your own risk. The creator cannot be held responsible for any issue that might arise. Common sense should prevail. Fly safe! This app respects your privacy and does not collect any data. Feedback is welcome and appreciated, you can contact me from within the app :-). Please be nice with me ;-). About the algorithm: This variometer is not an ordinary app. To provide this level of responsiveness, a very advanced mathematical technique is being used. This is called ‘Sensor fusion’. It uses data from multiple sensors of your devices, and combines them to increase accuracy and responsiveness. This has been developed in collaboration with researchers from the university of UCLouvain in Belgium. Because of the efficiency, hence complexity, of the algorithm, a great amount of computational power is required. This is why, based on the tests, the advanced level of responsiveness is only available on recent devices. The app still works - but is less responsive - on older devices though. Enjoy! --------- The terms of use & privacy policy can be found here: https://variometer.app/terms-and-privacy.html

Screenshots

Glider Frequency4 screens
Variometer+4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Glider Frequency at none against Variometer+'s 3. Variometer+'s advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 37 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Variometer+ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Glider Frequency asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Glider Frequency ships an update every 37 months, Variometer+ every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Glider Frequency versus Variometer+: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGlider FrequencyVariometer+
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.8 (27 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—89.5% of reviews
Number of ratings—27 — better
Update frequencyEvery 37 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
Monetization—Free with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS15.0 — better15.4
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB9 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperHiroki KijimaiSolid apps

In-app purchases

None

Glider Frequency

No in-app purchases

3 purchases

Variometer+

Subscriptions2
  • Vario PRO Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Vario PRO Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Vario PRO Lifetime$49.99

Questions

Is Glider Frequency free?
Glider Frequency is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Variometer+ free?
Variometer+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Glider Frequency or Variometer+ have ads?
Neither Glider Frequency nor Variometer+ shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Glider Frequency or Variometer+?
Glider Frequency ships an update every 37 months, and Variometer+ every 3 weeks. Most recently, Glider Frequency was updated on October 22, 2026 and Variometer+ on October 23, 2026.

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