# Synapse vs ATC SkyDecode

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Synapse at none against ATC SkyDecode's 7. ATC SkyDecode's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. ATC SkyDecode sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. Synapse asks for nothing beyond the download.

Synapse ships an update every 2 months, ATC SkyDecode every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 10, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Synapse | ATC SkyDecode |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | **[4.5 (263 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atc-skydecode-air-traffic/id6760329720/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | — | **263** |
| Positive reviews | — | 22.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | — | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 60 MB | 45 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | [Zinc Digital](https://appshunter.io/developer/1147605401) | [Tap Water](https://appshunter.io/developer/1879967896) |

## What reviewers say

### Synapse

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/synapse-vm/id1579685518)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### ATC SkyDecode

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/atc-skydecode-air-traffic/id6760329720)

Learn air traffic control communications with synchronized text and audio dialogues. Track global flights in real-time on a live map, viewing aircraft details. Designed for aviation enthusiasts and learners with a focused, dark interface.

**Highlights:** Synchronized ATC dialogues with text, Real-time global flight map, Aircraft details on tap, Clean, dark interface, Aviation phraseology learning

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (7)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SkyDecode Premium weekly | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| SkyDecode Premium weekly 3dt | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| SkyDecode Premium weekly first week | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| SkyDecode Premium monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| SkyDecode Premium yearly | $49.99 | per year |
| SkyDecode Premium yearly 3dt | $49.99 | per year |
| skydecode lifetime $79.99 | $79.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Synapse free?

Synapse is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is ATC SkyDecode free?

ATC SkyDecode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Synapse or ATC SkyDecode have ads?

Neither Synapse nor ATC SkyDecode shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Synapse or ATC SkyDecode?

Synapse ships an update every 2 months, and ATC SkyDecode every 4 days. Most recently, Synapse was updated on October 10, 2026 and ATC SkyDecode on October 24, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*