Comparison

Fly like a local vs NavSphere

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

Discover U.S. airfields, connect with local pilots, and prepare your next flight with Fly like a local. AIRPORTS AND LOCAL KNOWLEDGE Search the on-device airport catalog by name or identifier. Explore airfield details, runways and frequencies, and connect with pilots who know the field. Create your pilot profile and join direct or airport group chats. Messaging is available without Pro. PLAN AND PREPARE Build and save routes with departure, destination and intermediate stops. Review estimated distances and times, then download available charts and route data before leaving the network. Check preparation status, coverage and chart dates before departure. Offline availability varies by area and data source. CHARTS AND FLIGHT TOOLS View VFR Sectional and IFR Low/High enroute charts, plus available airport diagrams and instrument approach documents. A dedicated flight screen shows your position, next waypoint, ground speed, track, distance and estimated time. Keep the screen awake during active tracking and save your flight log. Position features require a suitable GPS source. MADE FOR iPHONE AND iPAD Adaptive layouts keep airport discovery, planning and flight tools easy to access on either device. OPTIONAL PRO SUBSCRIPTION Pro includes premium airport weather features, with available METAR observations and TAF forecasts. Internet access is required to retrieve new online data. Plans and prices are shown before purchase. Subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel subscriptions in your Apple account settings. FLAL provides supplemental planning and situational awareness. It does not replace required flight preparation, official aeronautical information or certified navigation equipment. Always verify current charts, weather, NOTAMs and operating limitations before flight. Terms of Use: https://flylikealocal.com/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://flylikealocal.com/privacy-policy

About

NavSphere

This platform allows pilots to share and discover real-world experiences with aviation equipment, aircraft configurations, and flight gear. It serves as a practical reference for making informed investment decisions based on community insights and pilot reviews.

Highlights
  • Pilot-shared equipment reviews
  • Aircraft and avionics configurations
  • Flight gear and cockpit tool discovery
  • Real-world setup visualization
  • Personalized 'My Hangar' organization
  • Community-driven insights
Features
Read full description

NavSphere NavSphere is a pilot-built, community-driven platform where pilots share real-world experience with aviation equipment, aircraft setups, and flight gear. Rather than focusing on navigation or weather like traditional EFBs, NavSphere is designed as a practical reference that helps pilots discover what other pilots actually use, how it performs over time, and whether it’s worth the investment. NavSphere allows pilots to explore: • Aircraft and avionics configurations • Installed components and equipment • Flight gear and cockpit tools • Real-world setups shared by other pilots My Hangar My Hangar is a personal space where pilots organize their aircraft, avionics, equipment, and flight gear in a clear and visual way. Instead of spreadsheets or notes, pilots can build a digital representation of what they fly with and explore how others configure similar aircraft. Community-driven reviews Aviation equipment is expensive, and marketing rarely tells the full story. NavSphere allows pilots to share honest feedback based on real use, helping others make informed decisions. Pilots can rate and review equipment based on practical questions such as: • Is it worth the money? • Would you recommend it? • How does it perform in real-world flying? Reviews are based on pilot experience and community insight. Cockpit setups, maps, and pilot profiles NavSphere allows pilots to share cockpit layouts, mounting solutions, and gear organization ideas. By exploring setups from other pilots, users can discover practical solutions for ergonomics, workflow, and equipment placement. The app includes an interactive 3D map view that helps visualize community-shared setups, references, and aviation-related points in a spatial context. This map is designed for exploration and discovery. Pilot profiles highlight experience, aircraft types, and areas of interest, making it easier to find relevant setups and insights from other pilots. Built by the pilot community NavSphere is a community-driven reference designed to turn everyday pilot experience into shared knowledge. Whether you fly VFR or IFR, general aviation or commercial operations, NavSphere helps pilots discover what truly works in real-world flying.

Screenshots

Fly like a local4 screens
NavSphere4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: NavSphere at 5.0 against Fly like a local's 4.2. NavSphere also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 2) and review sentiment (100% vs 80%). Fly like a local's advantage is ratings volume (11 vs 1) and iOS requirement (16.0 vs 26.0). On price, 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

Both are free to download. Fly like a local sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. NavSphere asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

NavSphere 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 NavSphere's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
Fly like a local versus NavSphere: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterFly like a localNavSphere
PriceFreeFree
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 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFreemiumFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS16.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size123 MB23 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFly like a local LLCNavSphere LLC

Customer experience

Fly like a local

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

NavSphere

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

NavSphere

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 NavSphere free?
NavSphere is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Fly like a local or NavSphere?
NavSphere is rated higher. Fly like a local averages 4.2 out of 5 from 11 ratings, while NavSphere averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Fly like a local or NavSphere have ads?
Neither Fly like a local nor NavSphere shows ads.