FlightDeck EFB vs ATC SkyDecode
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
FlightDeck EFB
This app digitizes the pilot's kneeboard, offering digital checklists, simple flight logging, and an intuitive notepad. It also provides a traffic screen for enhanced situational awareness when used with compatible receivers.
- Digital checklists
- Customizable checklist templates
- Simple flight logging
- Intuitive notepad
- Apple Pencil support
- Traffic screen with GDL90 receivers
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FlightDeck EFB – Your ally in the cockpit FlightDeck is the EFB app built for every pilot. It brings the workflows you've traditionally managed on paper into one clean, capable app that works just as well as an electronic kneeboard on an iPhone or iPad mini as it does mounted to the panel or yoke. Get started with these features today, with an exciting roadmap of new features on the way: Digital Checklists Simple yet powerful. Build and customise your own checklists from scratch, or start from one of our free templates. Flights A quick, simple way to log your flight details and reduce your workload in the cockpit. Record times with a single tap and jot down other vital details, making it easy to transfer to your logbook later. Weather Check the METAR and TAF for your chosen airfields at a glance, with decoded conditions or the raw reports, whichever you prefer. Notepad Write down frequencies and clearances with our simple, intuitive notepad. Apple Pencil supported. Documents Keep your own PDFs such as your POH, plates and licences to hand in the cockpit. Your documents stay on your device. Reminders Never miss a date. Track rating expiries, medical renewals and anything else with a deadline, and get notified before it's due. Traffic A traffic display for use with GDL90 receivers, as an aid to help improve your situational awareness. EFIS A EFIS screen giving attitude, ground speed, altitude and traffic data that draws from AHRS enabled GDL90 traffic receivers or simulator connectors.
ATC SkyDecode
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.
- Synchronized ATC dialogues with text
- Real-time global flight map
- Aircraft details on tap
- Clean, dark interface
- Aviation phraseology learning
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SkyDecode brings two things together for student pilots, aviation English learners, and aviation enthusiasts: a way to get familiar with ATC communications, and a real-time view of what's flying around the world. What you get ATC dialogues with synchronized text - Each ATC dialogue is paired with a synchronized text view, so you can follow along visually while you listen. - A natural way to pick up phraseology, callsign formats, and the flow of typical exchanges — without having to decode every word by ear. Real-time global flight tracking - A live flight map powered by adsb.fi, with sub-5-second refresh. - Tap any aircraft on the map to see its callsign, altitude, ground speed, heading, and squawk code. - Watch global air traffic move in real time, anywhere in the world. Built for focused use - A clean, dark, radar-inspired interface that's easy on the eyes during extended sessions. SkyDecode is an independent app and is not affiliated with any air traffic control authority or live ATC monitoring service. Terms of Service: https://www.tapwater.life/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.tapwater.life/privacy-policy
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: FlightDeck EFB at 98% against ATC SkyDecode's 23%. FlightDeck EFB also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 7) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). ATC SkyDecode's advantage is update cadence (every 4 days vs every 2 months) and ratings volume (263 vs 28). On price, 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. ATC SkyDecode sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days. FlightDeck EFB asks for nothing beyond the download.
FlightDeck EFB holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: ATC SkyDecode has 263 ratings behind it against 28, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 98% of FlightDeck EFB's written reviews are positive against 23% of ATC SkyDecode's.
FlightDeck EFB ships an update every 2 months, ATC SkyDecode every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | FlightDeck EFB | ATC SkyDecode |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (28 ratings) — better | 4.5 (263 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 97.7% of reviews — better | 22.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 28 | 263 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.6 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 8 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | GNK Softworks Ltd | Tap Water |
Customer experience
FlightDeck EFB
ATC SkyDecode
In-app purchases
FlightDeck EFB
No in-app purchases
ATC SkyDecode
- SkyDecode Premium weekly$5.997 Days
- SkyDecode Premium weekly 3dt3 Days trial$5.997 Days
- SkyDecode Premium weekly first week7 Days trial$5.997 Days
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- SkyDecode Premium monthly$19.991 Month
- SkyDecode Premium yearly$49.991 Year
- SkyDecode Premium yearly 3dt3 Days trial$49.991 Year
- skydecode lifetime $79.99$79.99
Questions
Is FlightDeck EFB free?
Is ATC SkyDecode free?
Which has better reviews, FlightDeck EFB or ATC SkyDecode?
Do FlightDeck EFB or ATC SkyDecode have ads?
Which is updated more often, FlightDeck EFB or ATC SkyDecode?
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