Comparison

Sky vs Aviate AX1

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

Head to head
About

Sky

This app provides a moving map display for aviation charts, enabling flight planning, route management, and calculation of flight parameters. It includes features like airspace warnings, terrain overlay, and a logbook function for automatic flight recording. Additional charts and weather data may require separate purchases.

Highlights
  • Moving map display on aviation charts
  • Flight planning and route management
  • Distance, flight time, and fuel calculations
  • Airspace and terrain warnings
  • Automatic logbook and track recording
  • Approach and airport chart display
Features
Read full description

Sky-Map is a Moving Map navigation and flight planning system. Like the Sky-Map Versions for other platforms it contains the following functionality: - Moving Map: Displays the actual position on digital aviation charts, like ICAO chart from DFS (Maps not included) - Fast move and zoom of the map - Flightplanning: Flights can be planned direct on the map or using the waypoint database. - Routes can be saved, loaded or modified - Calculation of distances, flighttimes, wind influence, fuelconsumption - Automatic display of approach/airport charts (if AIP is installed) - Airspace warnings - Terrain overlay and altitude warning - "Direct to" function - "Nearest Airports" function - AIP Browser: displays of approach/airport charts as well as text information (if AIP is installed) - PCMet Browser: Quick access to weather information (additional costs for pc_met access apply) - Displays precipitation radar and GAFOR directly on the map (additional costs for pc_met access apply) - Logbook function: automatic logging of Starttime/Position, Landingtime/Position und Flighttime - Checklist function - Infopanels (configurable) for Speed, Altitude, Distance, Time aso.. - Logbook and track recording in Background when in motion Please note: Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life The software contains an worldwide basemap (not for navigation), additional charts from the Flight Planner/Sky-Map selection have to be installed.

About

Aviate AX1

Features
Read full description

https://youtu.be/f6yj5qQXM5s Designed for general aviation and simulation pilots, our app provides real-time position and motion tracking and flight route display. Enhance your flight planning and situational awareness with integrated VFR maps, airport, airspace, and weather information. Whether you're on a cross-country flight, practicing maneuvers, or planning a route through controlled airspace, our app ensures you stay informed at all times. Track your flight with precision, record motion data for offline analysis, and gain deeper insights into your journey—all in one powerful tool. See this video for information about the app features and how to use it! https://youtu.be/f6yj5qQXM5s Key Features for Every Aviator ============================== Live Flight Tracking and Display ------------------------------------------- Plan and track your airplane as you navigate along your route. Navigate to one of the over 1200 airports in the US as you view weather data and airport information to plan your flight. Quickly access vital airport data, including runway details, frequencies, and operational information. Stay clear of restricted and controlled airspace with real-time airspace overlays, helping you make informed in-flight decisions. Flight Tracking & Motion Analysis --------------------------------- Log your flights automatically and record location, speed, altitude, and motion data for post-flight review. This feature is ideal for students, instructors, and experienced pilots looking to analyze their performance, improve navigation skills, or review flight paths offline. Optimized Performance & Adaptive Tile Caching --------------------------------------------- Experience seamless map rendering with our intelligent tile caching system. The app preloads necessary map tiles based on flight direction and speed while prioritizing the most relevant data, minimizing memory usage without sacrificing detail. X-Plane Integration ------------------------------------------------ Track and store your X-Plane flights with one switch in the app, and one in X-Plane. All functionality that you have in the cockpit can be used on the simulator as well, so feel free to practice your flying and navigating on the ground. Offline Functionality – No Internet? No Problem! ------------------------------------------------ Fly with confidence even when you lose connectivity. Your flight data remains accessible, and previously loaded maps stay available for reference, ensuring you always have the information you need. Secure & Private Data Handling ------------------------------ Your flight logs and motion data are stored securely, ensuring privacy while allowing you to access them whenever needed. No unwanted tracking—just the tools you need to enhance your flying experience. Who Is This App For? -------------------- * Student Pilots – Improve situational awareness and review training flights with motion data and GPS tracking. * Private & Recreational Pilots – Plan and execute VFR flights with confidence, using real-time location tracking and airspace overlays. * Simulation Pilots - Seamlessly integrates with X-Plane, with data displays and flight tracking. * Flight Instructors – Monitor student flights and provide detailed feedback with post-flight analysis tools. * Aviation Enthusiasts – Explore sectional charts, track personal flights, and deepen your understanding of airspace navigation. Take Your Flying to the Next Level ---------------------------------- Whether you're flying for training, recreation, or profession, this app provides essential tools for safe, efficient, and informed navigation. Experience the next level of VFR flight awareness with a fast, reliable, and intuitive aviation tool—all in the palm of your hand. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Sky4 screens
Aviate AX14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: Sky at 15.0 against Aviate AX1's 18.0. On price, 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

Both are free to download. Sky sells 10 one-off in-app purchases and Aviate AX1 sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Sky ships an update monthly, Aviate AX1 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
Sky versus Aviate AX1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSkyAviate AX1
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (1 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews82.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings1 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size76 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperRS-DatentechnikIO Aeronautical Autonomy Labs Inc

In-app purchases

10 purchases

Sky

One-time10
  • ICAO Chart Austria 2020$49.99
  • ICAO Chart Poland 2020$79.99
  • ICAO Chart Germany 2024$99.00
Show 7 more
  • ICAO Karte Deutschland 2025$99.00
  • ICAO Chart Germany 2023$99.99
  • ICAO Chart Great Britain 2020$119.99
  • ICAO Chart Norway 2020$119.99
  • ICAO Chart Sweden 2020$119.99
  • ICAO Chart Germany 2021$119.99
  • ICAO Karte Deutschland 2022$119.99
1 purchases

Aviate AX1

Subscriptions1
  • AX1 Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Month

Questions

Is Sky free?
Sky is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aviate AX1 free?
Aviate AX1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Sky or Aviate AX1 have ads?
Neither Sky nor Aviate AX1 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Sky or Aviate AX1?
Sky ships an update monthly, and Aviate AX1 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Sky was updated on November 1, 2026 and Aviate AX1 on October 30, 2026.

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