# FlightAware Flight Tracker vs FlightStats

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: FlightStats at none against FlightAware Flight Tracker's 6. FlightStats also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 17.6). FlightAware Flight Tracker's advantage is chart position (#37 vs unranked) and ratings volume (382K vs 79K). On price, rating, review sentiment and update cadence there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. FlightAware Flight Tracker sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $1.49 per month. FlightStats asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for FlightAware Flight Tracker against 4.8 for FlightStats. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 382K and 79K respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 74% and 73% positive.

FlightAware Flight Tracker ships an update every 4 weeks, FlightStats every 2 months. Both last shipped on September 24, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FlightAware Flight Tracker | FlightStats |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (382K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightaware-flight-tracker/id316793974/reviews)** | [4.8 (79K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightstats/id572700574/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **382K** | 79K |
| Positive reviews | **73.5% of reviews** | 72.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 weeks** | Every 2 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#37** | — |
| Size | 90 MB | 26 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** |
| Age rating | 9+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [FlightAware](https://appshunter.io/developer/316793977) | [LNRS Data Services Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/474448727) |

## 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


### FlightStats

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightstats/id572700574)

Track flights in real-time with live status updates and airport information. Monitor flights globally, view essential details like delays and gates, and receive timely alerts. Integrates with Siri Shortcuts and 3D Touch for quick access to flight data.

**Highlights:** Worldwide flight status tracking, Interactive flight tracker map, Departure and arrival boards, Siri Shortcuts integration, Flight timeline and details, Today widget for quick access

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate real-time flight tracking
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🚀 Provides up-to-date flight status information
- 👍 Useful for tracking family and friends' flights
- 👍 Reliable and dependable app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate or delayed flight information
- 🐛 Inability to track flights more than a few days in advance
- 🔍 Confusing or cluttered interface
- 🔍 Lack of customization options
- 💸 Presence of ads

**Reported bugs**

- Flight information not updating in real-time
- Inability to search for certain airports or airlines
- Date selection issues reverting to current date
- Inconsistent or unreliable data across different devices

**Requested features**

- Option to set phone alarms based on flight arrival times
- Ability to track flights further in advance
- Integration with other travel apps or services
- Improved date selection and calendar functionality
- Premium version with ad-free experience


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FlightAware Flight Tracker free?

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

### Is FlightStats free?

FlightStats is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

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

FlightAware Flight Tracker is rated higher. FlightAware Flight Tracker averages 4.9 out of 5 from 382K ratings, while FlightStats averages 4.8 from 79K ratings.

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

Both FlightAware Flight Tracker and FlightStats show ads.

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

FlightAware Flight Tracker ships an update every 4 weeks, and FlightStats every 2 months. Most recently, FlightAware Flight Tracker was updated on September 24, 2026 and FlightStats on September 24, 2026.

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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.*