# FlightAware Flight Tracker vs Flight Update Pro

The clearest difference is monetization model: FlightAware Flight Tracker at free with in-app purchases against Flight Update Pro's subscription. FlightAware Flight Tracker also leads on rating (4.9 vs 4.5) and ratings volume (382K vs 5.3K). Flight Update Pro's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and chart position 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 Update Pro sells 11 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: FlightAware Flight Tracker has 382K ratings behind it against 5.3K, 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 59% of Flight Update Pro's.

FlightAware Flight Tracker ships an update every 4 weeks, Flight Update Pro monthly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | FlightAware Flight Tracker | Flight Update Pro |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (382K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightaware-flight-tracker/id316793974/reviews)** | [4.5 (5.3K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-update-pro/id317703490/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **382K** | 5.3K |
| Positive reviews | **73.5% of reviews** | 58.7% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Monthly |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | **#37** | #66 |
| Size | 90 MB | 8 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **16.6** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FlightAware](https://appshunter.io/developer/316793977) | [Silverware Software, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/284918924) |

## What reviewers say

### FlightAware Flight Tracker

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

**Currently charting:** #37 Top Grossing · Travel, #114 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 Update Pro

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flight-update-pro/id317703490)

**Currently charting:** #66 Top Grossing · Travel (US App Store)

This app provides real-time flight status updates, tracking, and detailed travel information. It helps users monitor flights worldwide, receive notifications for changes, and organize their travel plans efficiently.

**Highlights:** Worldwide flight tracking and search, Real-time status updates, Departure and arrival information, Terminal, gate, and baggage claim info, Flight position on map, Calendar and TripIt syncing, Push notifications for changes

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (11)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 20 | $1.99 | per month |
| Multi-Leg Flight Search - 20 | $1.99 | per month |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 50 | $4.99 | per month |
| Multi-Leg Flight Search - 50 | $4.99 | per month |
| Multi-Leg Flight Search - 75 | $6.99 | per month |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 100 | $9.99 | per month |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 150 | $14.99 | per month |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 20 | $23.99 | per year |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 50 | $59.99 | per year |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 100 | $119.99 | per year |
| Track Flights and Alerts - 150 | $179.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Easy to use
- 🚀 Accurate and reliable
- 🚀 Provides faster and more accurate flight options
- 🚀 Indispensable for frequent travelers
- 🚀 Excellent for tracking flights and flight progress

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional issues with gate information accuracy
- 🐛 Slow to update flight status in some cases
- 🔋 Subscription model for some features is frustrating for existing users
- 💰 Subscription fees are considered too high by some users

**Reported bugs**

- Issues with flight data syncing and deletion
- Crashes and freezes reported by some users

**Requested features**

- Airport maps and terminal information
- Automatic sync between devices
- More flexible subscription options based on usage
- Integration with more airlines and flight providers


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FlightAware Flight Tracker free?

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

### Is Flight Update Pro free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Update Pro?

FlightAware Flight Tracker is rated higher. FlightAware Flight Tracker averages 4.9 out of 5 from 382K ratings, while Flight Update Pro averages 4.5 from 5.3K ratings.

### Do FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Update Pro have ads?

FlightAware Flight Tracker shows ads; Flight Update Pro does not.

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

FlightAware Flight Tracker ships an update every 4 weeks, and Flight Update Pro monthly. Most recently, FlightAware Flight Tracker was updated on September 24, 2026 and Flight Update Pro on September 23, 2026.

### Which is more popular, FlightAware Flight Tracker or Flight Update Pro?

FlightAware Flight Tracker currently peaks at #37 in the App Store charts, and Flight Update Pro at #66. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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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.*