Comparison

Variometer+ vs XC Live Track

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

Head to head
About

Variometer+

This app provides a highly responsive variometer for paragliding, hang gliding, and aviation. It offers customizable beeps, haptic feedback, and ground speed/altitude displays, with an independent Apple Watch app for full functionality on your wrist.

Highlights
  • Highly responsive variometer algorithm
  • Audible beeps and haptic feedback
  • Ground speed and altitude display
  • Sink alarm
  • Customizable settings and sounds
  • Independent Apple Watch app
Features
Read full description

Variometer+ is the most responsive variometer for your iPhone or/and Apple Watch. Works for all activities (paragliding, hang gliding, aviation, ...). • Super reactive / responsive thanks to a very advanced algorithm • Beeps like a real variometer (or haptic feedback on your wrist) • Shows ground speed & altitude (sea level & relative to take-off) • Sink alarm • Entirely configurable (settings sync with Apple Watch through iCloud) • Choose among several gauges • Change units (m/s, ft/min, ...) • Customize beeps tresholds • Customize gauge max & min values based on your activity • Customize the sound of your vario (frequency, cadence, ...) for maximum comfort • Independent Apple Watch app (sound, haptic feedback, ...) → everything on your wrist • ... and more Use at your own risk. The creator cannot be held responsible for any issue that might arise. Common sense should prevail. Fly safe! This app respects your privacy and does not collect any data. Feedback is welcome and appreciated, you can contact me from within the app :-). Please be nice with me ;-). About the algorithm: This variometer is not an ordinary app. To provide this level of responsiveness, a very advanced mathematical technique is being used. This is called ‘Sensor fusion’. It uses data from multiple sensors of your devices, and combines them to increase accuracy and responsiveness. This has been developed in collaboration with researchers from the university of UCLouvain in Belgium. Because of the efficiency, hence complexity, of the algorithm, a great amount of computational power is required. This is why, based on the tests, the advanced level of responsiveness is only available on recent devices. The app still works - but is less responsive - on older devices though. Enjoy! --------- The terms of use & privacy policy can be found here: https://variometer.app/terms-and-privacy.html

About

XC Live Track

Features
Read full description

The simplest live tracking system you'll ever use, powered by your smart phone. Select the activity, share the link, that's it! Note: This is not another fitness app designed to track your progress, it's a live tracking service that integrates with third party apps, such as Strava. With the Premium monthly subscription of just $2,99, your trace will be shown in the map, your tracks will be saved, and you'll be able to share them, even upload them to Strava automatically! Terms of Use (EULA) https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Variometer+4 screens
XC Live Track4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: XC Live Track at every 4 days against Variometer+'s every 3 weeks. Variometer+'s advantage is device support (4 vs 2). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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. Variometer+ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month and XC Live Track sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Variometer+ ships an update every 3 weeks, XC Live Track every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Variometer+ versus XC Live Track: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVariometer+XC Live Track
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (27 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews89.5% of reviews—
Number of ratings27 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPod
Requires iOS15.415.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiSolid appsPedro Enrique Cifres

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Variometer+

Subscriptions2
  • Vario PRO Monthly$6.991 Month
  • Vario PRO Yearly3 Days trial$14.991 Year
One-time1
  • Vario PRO Lifetime$49.99
1 purchases

XC Live Track

Subscriptions1
  • Premium$2.991 Month

Questions

Is Variometer+ free?
Variometer+ is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is XC Live Track free?
XC Live Track is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Variometer+ or XC Live Track have ads?
Neither Variometer+ nor XC Live Track shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Variometer+ or XC Live Track?
Variometer+ ships an update every 3 weeks, and XC Live Track every 4 days. Most recently, Variometer+ was updated on September 23, 2026 and XC Live Track on September 21, 2026.

Other comparisons