Comparison

Aircraft Horizon vs iBFD

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

Head to head
About

Aircraft Horizon

Experience a realistic flight simulation with a photo-realistic artificial horizon. This app offers smooth, accurate pitch and roll indication, mimicking instruments found in general aviation aircraft. It includes improved graphics, landscape mode, and native iPad support.

Highlights
  • Photo-realistic graphics
  • Smooth and realistic movement
  • Resettable zero
  • Landscape mode
  • Native iPad app
  • Digital pitch and roll display
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

This application is a photo-realistic aircraft Artificial Horizon indicator, also known as an Attitude Indicator, for your iPhone. Has a resettable zero and the movement is super smooth and realistic. NEW VERSION includes these new features: 1. improved Graphics 2. Landscape mode 3. Native iPad app 4. Bug Fixes 5. Supports Latest iOS version This application is modeled after the instrument found in many general aviation aircraft. It looks just like the real thing because photos of the real thing were used to create the graphics. Pitch and roll angles are represented both with the analog instrument as well a digital display. The instrument can be zeroed and the pitch reference "wings" can be adjusted, just like the real instrument. Of course, the iPhone doesn't have the same type of Gyro as an aircraft, so the instrument function is simulated using the iPhones built in accelerometer, This program has been tested on an iPhone 3g, 3Gs, 4 and iPod touch running firmware version 4.0 on up

About

iBFD

This iPhone-based backup flight display offers pilots essential instruments like an attitude indicator, heading indicator, and altimeter. It functions as a flight data and cockpit voice recorder, utilizing GPS and gyro sensors for accuracy. While not FAA certified, it provides a valuable reference during emergencies.

Highlights
  • Attitude Indicator
  • Heading Indicator
  • Altimeter
  • Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
  • Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
  • Map with airport direction/distance
  • Multiple display color modes
Features
Read full description

integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) Pilots understand the risk of a primary flight instrument failure while flying. In certain situations the loss of the Attitude Indicator is perhaps the greatest risk a pilot can face. This iPhone based integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) is an inexpensive, easy to operate tool intended to reduce risk and improve safety if an instrument fails and no other backup is available. This application consists of an Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, Altimeter, Vertical Speed Indicator, speed Indicator, Side Slip Indicator, and Clock. Furthermore, in the portrait mode of the iPad, a Map is displayed below the Attitude Indicator, and when you enter an airport code such as KFTW, the direction and distance to the airport are displayed. It can also be used as Flight Data Recorder(FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR). This function is activated by touching the red circle in the upper left corner. Recording is stopped by touching the red circle again or it will be stopped automatically when large G is applied. iBFD uses the iPhone's 3 axis Gyro sensor as its primary sensor. Pitch and Roll angles are calculated using the Gyro data and the same algorithm as strap down Inertial Reference Systems (IRS). GPS and Accelerometer are used with Kalman filter as sensor fusion to prevent gyro drift and improve Accuracy. The iBFD performs noticeably better than other comparable applications on the market. Unfortunately the iBFD doesn't have FAA certification. It doesn't have enough reliability for use as Primary Flight Instruments, and neither our software nor your iPhone have been subjected to rigorous certification tests. And the accuracy of Map and Airport Information is not guaranteed. All information displayed on the iBFD is for reference only! Therefore, we are not responsible for any death, injury or damage as a result of using the iBFD. USE THIS DEVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Nevertheless, during an In Flight Emergency having an iBFD is far better than having no instrument at all. Particularly if in a limited visibility situation with an inoperative Attitude Indicator. Engine vibration can affect accuracy of the iBFD, so special consideration must be given to mounting the iPhone to the cockpit instrument panel or glare shield. Other features (1) There are three display color modes; Day, Night or NVC. (2) Altitude/Speed is selectable in units of feet/knots, feet/MPH or meter/kilometers per hour. (3) Airspeed is calculated using GPS Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Velocity. Wind Direction and Velocity are obtained via ATIS and set manually. (4) Pitch angle zero can be adjusted manually by touching center of the display or slider setting. (5) Magnetic Heading or True Heading, and GPS or M.S.(Magnetic Sensor) are selectable. (6) Settings Window for entering parameters and user preferences. (7) Battery Icon indication. (8) Recorded data can be accessed by Files. (9) Magnetic Heading can be adjusted with the slider. (10) Function to correct roll angle. However, when performing this function, the iPhone needs to be correctly placed horizontally. (11) Local time or UTC is selectable. (12) GPS Altimeter and Barometric Altimeter. (13) Roll indication by Sky pointer and Ground pointer. Note: Initial roll and pitch angle are calculated using the accelerometer at the time of alignment (same as real IRS). Therefore, if acceleration due to motion is applied during alignment, an angle error will occur. However, such initial angle error automatically decreases with time and disappears after a few minutes in case of level flight.

Screenshots

Aircraft Horizon4 screens
iBFD2 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Aircraft Horizon at $0.99 against iBFD's $11.99. Aircraft Horizon also leads on chart position (#198 vs unranked) and iOS requirement (7.0 vs 13.0). iBFD's advantage is rating (3.5 vs 2.3) and review sentiment (70% vs 28%). On ratings volume, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

Aircraft Horizon costs $0.99 and iBFD $11.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iBFD holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 2.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 7 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 28% of Aircraft Horizon's written reviews are positive against 70% of iBFD's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Aircraft Horizon ships an update every 4 months, iBFD every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 10, 2026 and November 11, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 6 level
Aircraft Horizon versus iBFD: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAircraft HorizoniBFD
Price$0.99 — better$11.99
Rating2.3 (7 ratings)3.5 (4 ratings) — better
Positive reviews28.3% of reviews70.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings7 — better4
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationPaidPaid
Best chart rank#198 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS7.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size43 MB13 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperiAwareTatsuo Saeki

Customer experience

Aircraft Horizon

All ratings7 ratings
Positive28.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews46 reviews
Positive28.3%
Neutral8.7%
Negative63.0%

iBFD

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive70.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative20.0%

In-app purchases

None

Aircraft Horizon

No in-app purchases

None

iBFD

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Aircraft Horizon free?
Aircraft Horizon costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is iBFD free?
iBFD costs $11.99, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Aircraft Horizon or iBFD?
iBFD is rated higher. Aircraft Horizon averages 2.3 out of 5 from 7 ratings, while iBFD averages 3.5 from 4 ratings.
Do Aircraft Horizon or iBFD have ads?
Neither Aircraft Horizon nor iBFD shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Aircraft Horizon or iBFD?
Aircraft Horizon ships an update every 4 months, and iBFD every 3 months. Most recently, Aircraft Horizon was updated on November 10, 2026 and iBFD on November 11, 2026.

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