Comparison

Lufty vs XCSoar

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

Head to head
About

Lufty

This app provides offline in-flight navigation and planning tools for glider pilots. It offers task planning, numerous navigation instruments, and integration with logging devices and the gliding community. Enjoy a free trial before committing to a subscription.

Highlights
  • Offline maps and airspaces
  • Intuitive task planning
  • 29 navigation instruments
  • WeGlide integration
  • Bluetooth/Wi-Fi LXNAV integration
  • Free 60-day trial
Features
Read full description

Brand new in-flight navigation & planning app for glider pilots Lufty application was designed to help you chase your sporting goals as well as to keep you safe while flying. Lufty's main features: • Designed to work without any connection to the internet (airspaces, maps, terrain elevation model of 88 countries available for download) • Intuitive task planning • Ready for AAT, FAI, Racing tasks as well as just for flying for fun • 29 navigation instruments (everything you would expect from AAT's task Delta time to Final Glide instrument) • WeGlide integration for sharing your flights with the gliding community • Declaration to loggers ••• integrates via Bluetooth with LXNAV devices ••• integrates via Wi-Fi with LX navigation devices ••• more integrations coming very soon Terms of use: https://lufty.app/terms-of-use/ Privacy Policy: https://lufty.app/privacy-policy/ Lufty subscription: First 60 days are free of charge. In order to use Lufty you need to register in the app and select one of our subscription plans. First 60 days are free of charge. If you continue using the app after this period, you will be charged according to selected subscription plan. Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase.  Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal. Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user’s Account Settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication, where applicable.

About

XCSoar

An open-source flight navigation tool for gliders and sailplanes. It offers a moving map, task planning, airspace data, and thermal detection to aid pilots in route optimization and real-time flight information.

Highlights
  • Moving map display
  • Task planning
  • Airspace information
  • Thermal detection
  • Route optimization
  • Real-time flight data
Features
Read full description

Disclaimer: Do not rely on this app for navigation or flight-critical decisions. XCSoar is an open-source flight navigation software designed for gliders and other sailplanes. It provides features like a moving map, task planning, airspace information, and thermal detection. The software helps pilots with route optimization and offers real-time data on altitude, speed, and location. It can be used on various devices, including tablets and smartphones, making it versatile for both recreational and competitive flying.

Screenshots

Lufty4 screens
XCSoar2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: XCSoar at 5.0 against Lufty's 3.7. XCSoar also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (50% vs 20%). Lufty's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (3 vs 1). On price 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. Lufty sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $34.99 per 6 months. XCSoar asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

XCSoar holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.7. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 1 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 20% of Lufty's written reviews are positive against 50% of XCSoar's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Lufty ships an update every 3 weeks, XCSoar every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Lufty versus XCSoar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterLuftyXCSoar
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews20.0% of reviews50.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings3 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeks — betterEvery 2 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac — better
Requires iOS13.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size83 MB28 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLufty.apppraechtig gbr

Customer experience

Lufty

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive20.0%
Neutral60.0%
Negative20.0%

XCSoar

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative50.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Lufty

Subscriptions2
  • 6-Month Subscription2 Months trial$34.996 Months
  • 12-Month Subscription2 Months trial$49.991 Year
None

XCSoar

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Lufty free?
Lufty is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XCSoar free?
XCSoar is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Lufty or XCSoar?
XCSoar is rated higher. Lufty averages 3.7 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while XCSoar averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Lufty or XCSoar have ads?
Neither Lufty nor XCSoar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Lufty or XCSoar?
Lufty ships an update every 3 weeks, and XCSoar every 2 months. Most recently, Lufty was updated on September 23, 2026 and XCSoar on September 5, 2026.

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