# Variometer+ vs Skybase

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Skybase at none against Variometer+'s 3. Skybase also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8) and review sentiment (100% vs 89%). Variometer+'s advantage is ratings volume (27 vs 1) and device support (4 vs 2). On price, update cadence, ads and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Variometer+ sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per month. Skybase asks for nothing beyond the download.

Skybase holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Variometer+ has 27 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 89% of Variometer+'s written reviews are positive against 100% of Skybase's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Variometer+ | Skybase |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variometer-plus/id1636307202/reviews) | **[5.0 (1 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skybase-paragliding/id6779036745/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **27** | 1 |
| Positive reviews | 89.5% of reviews | **100.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 9 MB | 74 MB |
| Requires iOS | 15.4 | **15.1** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [iSolid apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1215383083) | [Karel Plevac](https://appshunter.io/developer/6779036747) |

## What reviewers say

### Variometer+

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variometer-plus/id1636307202)

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:** Apple Watch app

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Vario PRO Monthly | $6.99 | per month |
| Vario PRO Yearly | $14.99 | per year |
| Vario PRO Lifetime | $49.99 | one-time |


### Skybase

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skybase-paragliding/id6779036745)

This paragliding app provides pre-flight decision support with site-specific go/no-go scores, wind forecasts, and thermal predictions. In the air, it offers a GPS vario, topo maps, and airspace warnings. Post-flight, it features a detailed logbook with 3D replay and gear tracking.

**Highlights:** Pre-flight go/no-go scoring, Wind reports and thermal forecasts, GPS + barometer vario with audio, In-flight topo map and airspace warnings, Logbook with 3D terrain replay, Per-wing gear tracking, In-flight SOS and overdue-landing alert

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Variometer+ free?

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

### Is Skybase free?

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

### Which has better reviews, Variometer+ or Skybase?

Skybase is rated higher. Variometer+ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Skybase averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.

### Do Variometer+ or Skybase have ads?

Neither Variometer+ nor Skybase shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Variometer+ or Skybase?

Variometer+ ships an update every 3 weeks, and Skybase every 3 weeks. Most recently, Variometer+ was updated on September 28, 2026 and Skybase on September 25, 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.*
