Comparison

Fly like a local vs Eclipse Explorer Plus

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

Head to head
About

Fly like a local

This app provides general aviation pilots with airport insights, community connections, and enhanced weather data. Users can explore airports, share expertise, and access real-time METAR and TAF information. Subscribers gain premium weather data and messaging features.

Highlights
  • Airport insights map
  • Community airport expertise
  • Real-time weather data (METAR/TAF)
  • In-app messaging
  • Premium weather data for subscribers
Features
Read full description

Welcome to "Fly like a local" – the ultimate mobile app for general aviation in the USA. We provide you with all the tools you need to access vital information and connect with the aviation community. Key features of "Fly like a local" include: * Airport Insights: With our user-friendly map feature, you can effortlessly explore airports in your area and beyond. Dive into a treasure trove of local insights and knowledge about these airfields. * Community Connection: Become a local expert at up to three airports and share your expertise with your fellow aviation aficionados. This is where general aviation enthusiasts unite. * Enhanced Weather Data: Stay safe and informed. Access real-time METAR and TAF weather information for each airport, crucial for ensuring the safety of your flights. * Messaging Functionality: Connect with peers, ask questions, and build connections with others who share your passion for aviation through our in-app chat feature. * Subscriber Benefits: Subscribers enjoy exclusive access to premium weather data and the Messaging Functionality. Connect and communicate with your fellow aviation enthusiasts and professionals. These features are available for just $2.99 per month or $24.99 per year. "Fly like a local" is your comprehensive solution for accessing information about airports of all classes and connecting with a diverse community of general aviation enthusiasts and professionals. The app's user-friendly and practical features make it an essential tool for anyone involved in aviation. Download "Fly like a local" now and start exploring! Terms of Use: https://flylikealocal.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://flylikealocal.com/privacy-policy

About

Eclipse Explorer Plus

Track upcoming solar eclipses with detailed circumstances, countdown timers, and real-time shadow maps. Uses your GPS to provide personalized eclipse data for your exact location.

Highlights
  • Solar eclipse tracking until 2100
  • Real-time shadow maps
  • Countdown timers
  • Location-specific circumstances
  • GPS integration for personalized data
  • Globe display for eclipse path
Features
Read full description

Be ready for the solar eclipses of 2027, and 2028 and for all solar eclipses until 2100! Where will the solar eclipse be? What will you see, when will you see it? The answers are provided here. The app will provide real time data on the day of the eclipse! **** WARNING **** NEVER LOOK AT THE SUN AT ANY TIME WITHOUT PROPER AND CERTIFIED EYE PROTECTION! EYE DAMAGE WILL RESULT IF YOU LOOK AT THE SUN AT ANY TIME (DURING THE ECLIPSE OR NOT) WITHOUT EYE PROTECTION. THIS APP NEVER PROVIDES A TIME THE SUN WILL BE SAFE TO LOOK AT. **** WARNING **** This simple app tracks the next solar eclipse visible to you or for any desired location on Earth. Provides countdown timers, visibility circumstances, and a map of the solar eclipse on Earth. Track the movement of the Moon and it's shadow across the Earth in realtime on the day of the eclipse. Use your device's GPS to calculate the circumstances of the Eclipse for you exact location. In case of clouds, be ready to move on the day of the Eclipse. Be sure of what you will see. PERMISSIONS: GPS: To track your location on a map to see your position relative to the location of the Moon's shadow on Earth. Uses your GPS location to calculate the timings of the eclipse at your location. Location data never leaves your device. PRIVACY: No data is collected or used while using this app. I do not have a way of collecting or storing it. Updates v4.6.0 Added: Map now displays as a globe. Improved: Map display engine more efficient and performant. Improved: Eclipse list display performance. Changed: Now using MapLibre GL JS for map display. Changed: Map data providers Fixed: Long press on map to change desired location more reliable. Fixed: Next eclipse in catalog time buffer math. Fixed: Eclipse list display scrolling. v4.5.1 Fixed: Eclipse list catalog choice bugs. Fixed: Layer button fires when not clicked. Fixed: Layer selector now disappears after all selections. Improved: Eclipse list catalog sorting choice buttons, logic, and user prompts. Improved: Added eclipse status bar icon and button prompt. Improved: UI positioning for different devices. v4.5.0 Complete code re-write for drawing eclipse lines and shadows. Eclipse line boundaries are more accurate and display for all solar eclipses now, even near the poles! Penumbra, antumbral, and umbral shadows now always display and display properly near the poles. The backwards total solar eclipse of 2026 now displays! Still some minor issues with lines drawn near the poles, but it is close. Shadow movement and drawing is much faster. Numerous bug fixes. Numerous memory leaks fixed. v4.0.6 Added: Corona display in simulation during totality. Fixed: Memory leak and duplicate shadow drawing in certain situations. Fixed: Eclipse circumstances displayed wrong duration for certain eclipses Fixed: Eclipse circumstances displayed in wrong sequence for certain eclipses. Improved: Clicking on search box in map mode v4.0.4 Fixed meters and feet elevation display issue. Fixed Eclipse Title Display when map page opens initially. Fixed loading error, no longer wait for elevation data. 4.0.3 Updated app libraries and built with latest build tools. Fixed App crash and hang when calculating some eclipse maps. More eclipse lines drawn in polar adjacent solar eclipses. More eclipse shadows in polar adjacent solar eclipses. 4.0.2: - Fixed: Warning Dialog no longer overlays location request dialog. - Fixed: Lunar shadow drawing displays properly when switching eclipses - Fixed: Help link in About dialog now properly links to help website. 4.0.1 Initial release to iOS. - Fixed: Scrolling issue on circumstance page - Improved: GPS initialization. - Fixed: Long press event did not alway fire on map page. - Fixed: Magnitude not displayed properly. - Fixed: Coverage information is now correct. - Fixed: Switching locations did not always move map. 4.0.0 Initial release Complete code rewrite from previous version.

Screenshots

Fly like a local4 screens
Eclipse Explorer Plus4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Fly like a local at Free against Eclipse Explorer Plus's $1.99. Fly like a local also leads on ratings volume (11 vs 1) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 18.6). Eclipse Explorer Plus's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.2) and in-app purchases (none vs 2). On 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Fly like a local is free to download; Eclipse Explorer Plus costs $1.99 up front. Fly like a local sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Eclipse Explorer Plus asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Eclipse Explorer Plus holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.2. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Fly like a local has 11 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 80% of Fly like a local's written reviews are positive against 100% of Eclipse Explorer Plus's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Fly like a local ships an update every 7 months, Eclipse Explorer Plus weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 26, 2026 and September 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 2 level
Fly like a local versus Eclipse Explorer Plus: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFly like a localEclipse Explorer Plus
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.2 (11 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews80.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings11 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemium — betterPaid
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.6
Further details — not scored
Size73 MB46 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFly Like a Local LLCJoshua Berlin

Customer experience

Fly like a local

All ratings11 ratings
Positive81.8%
Neutral0.0%
Negative18.2%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive80.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative20.0%

Eclipse Explorer Plus

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Fly like a local

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly1 Month trial$2.991 Month
  • Yearly1 Month trial$24.991 Year
None

Eclipse Explorer Plus

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Fly like a local free?
Fly like a local is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Eclipse Explorer Plus free?
Eclipse Explorer Plus costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fly like a local or Eclipse Explorer Plus?
Eclipse Explorer Plus is rated higher. Fly like a local averages 4.2 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while Eclipse Explorer Plus averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Fly like a local or Eclipse Explorer Plus have ads?
Neither Fly like a local nor Eclipse Explorer Plus shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Fly like a local or Eclipse Explorer Plus?
Fly like a local ships an update every 7 months, and Eclipse Explorer Plus weekly. Most recently, Fly like a local was updated on September 26, 2026 and Eclipse Explorer Plus on September 30, 2026.

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