# Variometer+ vs Box the Wind

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Box the Wind at none against Variometer+'s 3. Box the Wind also leads on rating (5.0 vs 4.8). Variometer+'s advantage is ratings volume (27 vs 3) 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. Box the Wind asks for nothing beyond the download.

Box the Wind 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 3, so its average is the more settled of the two.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 5, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Variometer+ | Box the Wind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.8 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/variometer-plus/id1636307202/reviews) | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/box-the-wind/id6780908207/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **27** | 3 |
| Positive reviews | 89.5% 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 | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.4** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [iSolid apps](https://appshunter.io/developer/1215383083) | [Jefferson Wagener](https://appshunter.io/developer/6780908209) |

## 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 |


### Box the Wind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/box-the-wind/id6780908207)

This app provides hot air balloon pilots and chase crews with essential tools for competition flying. It offers offline maps, live tracking, task management, and real-time flight data, all designed to enhance performance and safety in the air.

**Highlights:** Offline maps for competition areas, Live pilot to crew tracking, Competition task import and editing, Real-time drift and approach data, Flight recording and sharing (GPX), Wind guidance and updates

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Variometer+ free?

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

### Is Box the Wind free?

Box the Wind is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Variometer+ or Box the Wind?

Box the Wind is rated higher. Variometer+ averages 4.8 out of 5 from 27 ratings, while Box the Wind averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.

### Do Variometer+ or Box the Wind have ads?

Neither Variometer+ nor Box the Wind shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Variometer+ or Box the Wind?

Variometer+ ships an update every 3 weeks, and Box the Wind every 3 weeks. Most recently, Variometer+ was updated on September 28, 2026 and Box the Wind on October 5, 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.*