ATSim vs IFR Flight Simulator
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ATSim
Practice air traffic control radio communication and phraseology with an AI-powered simulator. Learn through repetition and immediate feedback with realistic scenarios covering over 170 airports and various flight types.
- AI-powered pilot interaction
- Voice recognition and speech analysis feedback
- Practice radio communication
- Master aviation phraseology
- Over 170 airports simulated
- VFR and IFR flight control lessons
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The PlaneEnglish Air Traffic Simulator (ATSim) is an interactive air traffic control radio simulator created to enable air traffic controllers to learn and master radio communication and phraseology on their own time. ATSim provides a self-guided means to practice and master the radio through repetition and immediate feedback. AI-based pilots interact with the controller to make requests and respond to instructions. Instantaneous feedback through voice recognition and speech analysis will guide you, the controller, through realistic scenarios toward proficiency in aviation phraseology and communication. You can access more than 170 airports and step through lessons covering airport, terminal area, and in-transit control of VFR and IFR flights. Guided by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) phraseology, standards, and radiotelephony procedures the current version of the simulator focuses on the FAA phraseology standards. Upcoming improvements will enable users to switch between ICAO and FAA standards. Future releases and updates to ATSim will expand the training content, lessons, and scenarios.
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.
- Realistic aviation training
- Worldwide flight navigation database
- Comprehensive training modes
- Real-time flight simulator
- Integrated autopilot
- Optimal holding entry path overlay
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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
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: ATSim at none against IFR Flight Simulator's 9. ATSim also leads on iOS requirement (12.1 vs 15.6). IFR Flight Simulator's advantage is rating (4.3 vs 4.1) and ratings volume (106 vs 15). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support 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
Both are free to download. IFR Flight Simulator sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. ATSim asks for nothing beyond the download.
IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Simulator has 106 ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 63% of ATSim's written reviews are positive against 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's.
| Parameter | ATSim | IFR Flight Simulator |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.1 (15 ratings) | 4.3 (106 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 62.5% of reviews | 64.7% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 15 | 106 — better |
| Update frequency | — | Every 5 days |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.1 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 163 MB | 117 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | PlaneEnglish | Tobias Maihoff |
Customer experience
ATSim
IFR Flight Simulator
In-app purchases
ATSim
No in-app purchases
IFR Flight Simulator
- Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
- Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
- Full Access$19.993 Months
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- Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
- Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
- SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
- SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
- Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99
Questions
Is ATSim free?
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
Which has better reviews, ATSim or IFR Flight Simulator?
Do ATSim or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
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