# Recon vs Avionics Buddy

The clearest difference is price: Recon at Free against Avionics Buddy's $3.99. Recon also leads on iOS requirement (16.1 vs 18.0). Avionics Buddy's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 5) and review sentiment (100% vs 75%). On ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Recon is free to download; Avionics Buddy costs $3.99 up front. Recon sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $99.99 per month. Avionics Buddy asks for nothing beyond the download.

Recon ships an update every 2 months, Avionics Buddy monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 15, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Recon | Avionics Buddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $3.99 |
| Rating | **[4.8 (275 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recon-3d/id1594797748/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **275** | — |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Monthly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 94 MB | 68 MB |
| Requires iOS | **16.1** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Recon-3D Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1594797750) | [Sharif El Fatatry](https://appshunter.io/developer/6773903021) |

## What reviewers say

### Recon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/recon-3d/id1594797748)

Capture accurate 3D data using photogrammetry and your device's lidar sensor. Process data locally for privacy or in the cloud. Includes optional scaling with April Tags and exports in e57 format for further analysis.

**Highlights:** Photogrammetry and lidar fusion, Cloud or on-device processing, Optional April Tag scaling, e57 format export, Privacy-focused local processing

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (5)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Recon3D One Month Subscription | $99.99 | per month |
| Recon3D 1 Year Subscription | $599.99 | per year |
| 5 Additional Uploads | $49.99 | one-time |
| 10 Additional Uploads | $79.99 | one-time |
| Recon3D 1 Year Subscription | $299.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- ✨ Accurate 3D scanning
- 🚀 Efficient workflow revolution
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Innovative use of iPhone features
- ✅ Excellent data quality

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Crashes at save
- 🐛 Loses data and video
- 🐛 Update required in rural areas
- 🐛 Camera laggy after update
- 🐛 Slow screen update after update

**Reported bugs**

- Program crashes when hitting save
- App requires update in rural areas without data
- Camera is laggy and slow to update screen after update
- Permission problems block app usage
- App shows 'Oops' screen asking for permission despite all permissions granted

**Requested features**

- Tool for measuring in the app


### Avionics Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/avionics-buddy/id6773903019)

Enhance your flight simulation experience with live telemetry, maps, and customizable gauges on your Apple devices. Monitor aircraft position, weather, and flight statistics, and access airport information and approach helpers.

**Highlights:** Live aircraft telemetry, Follow-mode map, Customizable cockpit gauges, Trip Computer, Lifetime Logbook, Airport search and library, Runway approach helpers

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Recon free?

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

### Is Avionics Buddy free?

Avionics Buddy costs $3.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Recon or Avionics Buddy have ads?

Neither Recon nor Avionics Buddy shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Recon or Avionics Buddy?

Recon ships an update every 2 months, and Avionics Buddy monthly. Most recently, Recon was updated on October 15, 2026 and Avionics Buddy on October 10, 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.*