Comparison

VatView vs IFR Simulator

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

Head to head
About

VatView

Track air traffic controllers and flight information on the VATSIM network. View active ATC stations, frequencies, and ATIS messages. Explore an interactive map showing pilots and controllers, or search for airport-specific flight data.

Highlights
  • Interactive VATSIM map
  • Live METAR weather data
  • Filterable pilot and ATC lists
  • Airport-specific flight information
  • Enroute and FSS control areas
  • ATC bookings
Features
Read full description

VatView is a mobile app that allows flight simulation enthusiasts to track ATC presence and flight information on the VATSIM network. VatView aims to be your ultimate VATSIM companion! It provides easy access to active VATSIM terminal area ATC stations and frequencies and exposes the ATIS message easily. It also shows enroute ATC, including marking land, oceanic, UIR and FSS VATSIM controlled areas on the map. VatView features three main views: - a map displaying all pilots and air traffic controllers currently connected to the VATSIM network. - A filterable and searchable list page - displaying a detailed list of all connected pilots and ATC. - An airport search page - which concentrates all connected ATC, active flights and prefiled flight plans for a specific airport. VATSIM (short for the Virtual Air Traffic Simulation Network) is a completely free online platform that allows Flight simulator enthusiasts connect and fly virtually on one shared virtual aviation eco system. It simulates Air Traffic Control (ATC) with full voice and network connection between virtual pilots flight on flight simulator software and virtual air traffic controllers using software for providing ATC services. It is as real as it gets. It supports Microsoft's Flight simulator (MSFS, FSX and FS9), P3D and X-Plane. For more information visit https://www.vatsim.net. Features: - An Interactive map displaying VATSIM pilots and ATC - Detailed aircraft and terminal ATC station Icons - Enroute and FSS control areas - Live METAR (weather) data for any airport - ATC Bookings - Always up to date FIR boundaries synced with VATSpy's data project - Detailed flight information - Filterable and searchable list screen - An easy way to get all relevant terminal area stations with the relevant ATIS message * The app uses the storage permission to cache large airspace data it needs to display on the map. Disclaimer: The author is not affiliated with the VATSIM Organization in any way (other than being an enthusiastic user and member of the community)

About

IFR Simulator

Practice essential instrument flight procedures with realistic displays and worldwide airspace. Build confidence in tracking, intercepts, holds, and wind correction anytime, anywhere. Import custom approach plates and utilize advanced navigation tools.

Highlights
  • Realistic PFD and ND-style navigation displays
  • Custom map overlays with approach plate import
  • VOR and NDB navigation training
  • Holding pattern practice with entry visualization
  • Adjustable wind and performance settings
  • Autopilot with dedicated controls
Features
Read full description

IFR Simulator is an educational flight training app designed to help you practice core instrument procedures using realistic, instrument-style displays, with worldwide airspace available for training and procedural practice. Use the simulator to build confidence with IFR fundamentals such as tracking, intercepts, holds, and wind correction—anytime, anywhere. KEY FEATURES • Realistic instrument displays: - PFD (attitude, airspeed, altitude, heading, vertical speed) - ND-style navigation display with course/deviation and navigation indications - Custom Map Overlays: Import your own PDF or image approach plates and place them directly onto the moving map. - Updated NAVaids - Autopilot • ILS/VOR/ADF navigation training: - Select a VOR, tune/identify, set course (OBS), intercept and track radials - TO/FROM indications and CDI behavior • Custom Map Overlays: - Import your own PDF or image approach plates and place them directly onto the moving map. - Use our new two-point alignment tool to perfectly match your charts with real-world coordinates. • NDB navigation training: - ADF-style bearing tracking practice • DME Arc practice: - Learn arc intercepts and corrections with distance awareness • Holding patterns: - Standard and non-standard holds - Entry guidance/visualization (when enabled) - Show/hide holding patterns and procedures on the map • Map tools: - Moving map with selectable navaids - Flight track display (show/hide) and clear track - “Go Here” positioning for quick practice setups • Navaid management: - Search ILS/VOR/NDB by ID/name/country(Updated NAVaids) - Favorites - Create custom navaids (user-defined) and edit coordinates • Wind & performance: - Adjustable wind direction and speed - Groundspeed / track / drift information for training wind correction concepts - Groundtrack • Autopilot & controls: - Autopilot modes for guided practice - Dedicated knobs for CRS/HDG/IAS/ALT/VS - Flight Settings for quick airspeed/altitude adjustments IMPORTANT IFR Simulator is for training and educational purposes only. It is not intended for real-world navigation or flight operations. PRO SUBSCRIPTION (Optional) Upgrade to IFR Pro to unlock premium exercises and advanced scenarios. Holding Calculator is free and does not require subscription. Free Trial • Includes a free trial (duration varies by plan). • If you start a free trial, any unused portion of the trial will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Auto-Renewing Subscription Terms (Apple Required) • Payment will be charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. • Subscriptions automatically renew unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. • Your account will be charged for renewal within 24 hours prior to the end of the current period, at the cost of the selected plan. • You can manage and cancel your subscriptions by going to your App Store account settings after purchase. • Restore purchases is available in the app. Links Privacy Policy: https://gist.github.com/egitimtakipuygulamasi/b2d76e09599f3e31277d6c84ce4b47cd Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Support ifrsimulator@outlook.com

Screenshots

VatView4 screens
IFR Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VatView at none against IFR Simulator's 2. VatView also leads on review sentiment (25% vs 0%). IFR Simulator's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, 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. IFR Simulator sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. VatView asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 4 level
VatView versus IFR Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVatViewIFR Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews25.0% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Update frequencyWeeklyWeekly
AdsYesNo — better
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationAd-supported — betterFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.1 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size54 MB50 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOren GevaGizem Celik

Customer experience

VatView

Written reviews4 reviews
Positive25.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative25.0%

IFR Simulator

Written reviews1 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative100.0%

In-app purchases

None

VatView

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

IFR Simulator

Subscriptions2
  • IFR Pro Monthly3 Days trial$9.991 Month
  • IFR Pro Yearly7 Days trial$59.991 Year

Questions

Is VatView free?
VatView is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is IFR Simulator free?
IFR Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VatView or IFR Simulator have ads?
VatView shows ads; IFR Simulator does not.
Which is updated more often, VatView or IFR Simulator?
VatView ships an update weekly, and IFR Simulator weekly. Most recently, VatView was updated on October 21, 2026 and IFR Simulator on October 24, 2026.

Other comparisons