# FlightAware Flight Tracker vs Flight Buddy

The clearest difference is ads: Flight Buddy at none against FlightAware Flight Tracker's shown. Flight Buddy also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly). FlightAware Flight Tracker's advantage is ratings volume (386K vs 123) and rating (4.9 vs 4.6). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FlightAware Flight Tracker sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month and Flight Buddy sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $19.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

FlightAware Flight Tracker holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FlightAware Flight Tracker has 386K ratings behind it against 123, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 74% of FlightAware Flight Tracker's written reviews are positive against 64% of Flight Buddy's.

FlightAware Flight Tracker ships an update monthly, Flight Buddy weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 27, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FlightAware Flight Tracker | Flight Buddy |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (386K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightaware-flight-tracker/id316793974/reviews)** | [4.6 (123 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-buddy-calm-flying/id1458505675/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **386K** | 123 |
| Positive reviews | **73.6% of reviews** | 64.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#30** | #120 |
| Size | 94 MB | 235 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPhone |
| Age rating | 9+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [FlightAware](https://appshunter.io/developer/316793977) | [Sergey Laptenok](https://appshunter.io/developer/1817386856) |

## What reviewers say

### FlightAware Flight Tracker

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightaware-flight-tracker/id316793974)

**Currently charting:** #30 Top Grossing · Travel, #98 Top Free · Travel (US App Store)

Track airplanes in real-time globally, monitor flight statuses, and receive delay notifications. Access weather radar and save favorite aircraft and airports. Offers free flight status alerts for departures, arrivals, cancellations, and gate changes.

**Highlights:** Real-time global plane tracking, Free flight status alerts, Weather radar integration, Save favorite aircraft and airports, Check flight delays, Inbound aircraft delay checks

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Ad Remove - Monthly | $1.49 | per month |
| Ad Remove - Yearly | $8.99 | per year |
| Aviator - Monthly | $9.99 | per month |
| Aviator+ - Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Aviator - Yearly | $99.99 | per year |
| Aviator+ - Yearly | $199.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Detailed flight information
- 👍 Accurate and up-to-date data
- 📍 Ability to track flights and aircraft
- 🔍 Useful for airport pickups and drop-offs
- ⏱️ Timely alerts and notifications

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Unreliable ETA predictions
- 🔀 Confusing interface changes
- 🔍 Difficulty finding specific flights
- 🔒 Security and privacy concerns
- 💻 Compatibility issues with older devices

**Reported bugs**

- Flights disappearing from the app
- Inconsistent data between app and website
- Settings and preferences not saving properly
- Notifications not working as expected

**Requested features**

- Separate direct flights from layover flights
- Customizable color schemes and themes
- More detailed flight history and analytics
- Improved accessibility features
- Automatic updates without manual prompts


### Flight Buddy

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-buddy-calm-flying/id1458505675)

**Currently charting:** #120 Top Grossing · Travel (US App Store)

This app helps alleviate fear of flying by providing detailed flight information, professional insights, and educational content. It offers a comprehensive assessment, answers common anxieties, and includes a video course to build confidence and overcome aerophobia.

**Highlights:** Full assessment test for triggers, Answers to common 'what if' flight questions, Detailed flight information and turbulence tracker, Fear of flying video course, Insights from pilots and mental health professionals

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

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Silver Plan - Monthly | $19.99 | per month |
| Bronze Plan - Annual | $25.00 | per year |
| Silver Plan - Annual | $34.99 | per year |
| Silver Plan - Annual | $34.99 | per year |
| Gold Plan - Annual | $55.00 | per year |
| Gold Plan - Annual | $95.00 | per year |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FlightAware Flight Tracker free?

FlightAware Flight Tracker is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Flight Buddy free?

Flight Buddy is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Buddy?

FlightAware Flight Tracker is rated higher. FlightAware Flight Tracker averages 4.9 out of 5 from 386K ratings, while Flight Buddy averages 4.6 from 123 ratings.

### Do FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Buddy have ads?

FlightAware Flight Tracker shows ads; Flight Buddy does not.

### Which is updated more often, FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Buddy?

FlightAware Flight Tracker ships an update monthly, and Flight Buddy weekly. Most recently, FlightAware Flight Tracker was updated on September 28, 2026 and Flight Buddy on September 27, 2026.

### Which is more popular, FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Buddy?

FlightAware Flight Tracker currently peaks at #30 in the App Store charts, and Flight Buddy at #120. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*