Comparison

ATC Radar vs ATC

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

Head to head
About

ATC Radar

Experience realistic air traffic control by guiding aircraft through airspace, assigning routes, altitudes, and speeds. Manage departures and arrivals, and utilize real-world weather overlays for an immersive simulation.

Highlights
  • Realistic air traffic control simulation
  • Manage aircraft departures and arrivals
  • Assign altitudes, speeds, and routes
  • Real-world weather overlay
  • Visual approach assignments
Features
Read full description

Be the air traffic controller. Now free to play. ATC Radar puts you in the radar room as an approach controller. Tap traffic, issue commands, and keep the metal moving — safely separated and on the ground. Start working Kansas City Approach right now, free. How it plays • Sequence arrivals onto visual and instrument approaches • Issue headings, altitudes, speeds, and direct-to clearances in real time • Release departures and hand them off to Center • Accept handoffs as traffic enters your airspace • Keep 3 miles and 1,000 feet — a loss of separation is a "deal" • Earn your controller rating across clean shifts, from Trainee to Area Manager Free • Full gameplay at Kansas City Approach • Unlimited 5-minute shifts • Optional: watch a short ad to extend a shift ATC Radar Pro • New York TRACON (N90) — JFK, LGA, EWR, TEB and more • Choose your shift length — 3 to 30 minutes • Instant shift extends, no ads • Every new airspace we add The most realistic ATC approach sim on iPhone and iPad. Take the scope.

About

ATC

Experience the thrill of air traffic control by issuing real clearances using your voice. Manage aircraft on the ground, in the air, and through busy airspace at authentic airports. This game is designed for aviation enthusiasts and flight simmers.

Highlights
  • Voice-native air traffic control
  • Authentic ATC phraseology
  • Ground, Tower, Approach, and Center roles
  • Real-world airport simulations
  • Offline voice recognition
  • Career progression and premium airports
Features
Read full description

You have the mic. You have the frequency. Every aircraft is waiting on your word. ATC: Cleared for Takeoff is the voice-native air traffic control game where you don't tap buttons — you SPEAK. Issue real clearances out loud and watch pilots read them back and follow your instructions, all recognized right on your device. SPEAK LIKE A REAL CONTROLLER Key the mic and use authentic phraseology. "Cleared for takeoff." "Turn left heading two seven zero." "Contact tower." The recognizer is tuned to real ATC language and runs on your device — no internet required, and your audio is processed on your phone. WORK EVERY SEAT Move up through the tower cab and the radar room: • Ground — taxi aircraft to the runway without gridlock • Tower — sequence departures and arrivals on the runway • Approach & Departure — vector traffic through busy terminal airspace • Center — run high-altitude en-route sectors and keep jets separated REAL AIRPORTS Control traffic at faithfully laid-out real-world airports, from your first quiet field to demanding hubs. Earn your way up the career ladder, or unlock premium airports to jump straight into the deep end. BUILT FOR AVIATION FANS Whether you're a flight simmer who has always wanted to be on the OTHER side of the radio, a student pilot drilling radio calls before your first solo, or someone who loves listening to live ATC — this is the controller's chair you have been waiting for. Think you can keep them separated? Grab the mic. You're cleared for takeoff.

Screenshots

ATC Radar4 screens
ATC4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is monetization model: ATC at free with in-app purchases against ATC Radar's subscription. ATC also leads on update cadence (every 9 days vs monthly). ATC Radar's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, review sentiment, in-app purchases 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. ATC Radar sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month and ATC sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ATC Radar ships an update monthly, ATC every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ATC Radar versus ATC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterATC RadarATC
PriceFreeFree
Rating—2.8 (10 ratings) — better
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings—10 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS14.3 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBryan HeitmanJames Payoyo

Customer experience

ATC Radar

All ratings17 ratings
Positive11.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative88.2%
Written reviews16 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

ATC

All ratings8 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral37.5%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral66.7%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

1 purchases

ATC Radar

Subscriptions1
  • ATC Radar$2.991 Month
3 purchases

ATC

One-time3
  • Remove Ads$2.99
  • Role Pack: Center + Clearance$4.99
  • Premium — Full Roster$9.99

Questions

Is ATC Radar free?
ATC Radar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ATC free?
ATC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ATC Radar or ATC have ads?
ATC shows ads; ATC Radar does not.
Which is updated more often, ATC Radar or ATC?
ATC Radar ships an update monthly, and ATC every 9 days. Most recently, ATC Radar was updated on November 3, 2026 and ATC on October 31, 2026.

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