# Navigator vs Holding Pattern Trainer

The clearest difference is rating: Navigator at 5.0 against Holding Pattern Trainer's 4.1. Navigator also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 11.0). Holding Pattern Trainer's advantage is ratings volume (114 vs 3) and chart position (#16 vs unranked). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Navigator costs $4.99 and Holding Pattern Trainer $4.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Navigator holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Holding Pattern Trainer has 114 ratings behind it against 3, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 67% of Navigator's written reviews are positive against 77% of Holding Pattern Trainer's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Navigator ships an update every 3 months, Holding Pattern Trainer every 5 months. Both last shipped on October 26, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Navigator | Holding Pattern Trainer |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $4.99 | $4.99 |
| Rating | **[5.0 (3 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navigator-instrument-training/id358957074/reviews)** | [4.1 (114 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/holding-pattern-trainer/id456327713/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 3 | **114** |
| Positive reviews | 66.7% of reviews | **76.9% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 3 months** | Every 5 months |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Best chart rank | — | **#16** |
| Size | 6 MB | 10 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 11.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Laurie Davis](https://appshunter.io/developer/286597697) | [FLEMINGER MEDIA LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/427480054) |

## What reviewers say

### Navigator

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/navigator-instrument-training/id358957074)

This app simulates instrument flying for pilots. Learn how aircraft instruments react to changes in position and orientation, or test your skills by determining aircraft location based on instrument readings. It's designed for general aviation pilots to practice navigation.

**Highlights:** Interactive instrument simulation, Learn mode for understanding instrument response, Test mode for location determination, Adjustable map orientation, VOR OBS setting

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Holding Pattern Trainer

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/holding-pattern-trainer/id456327713)

**Currently charting:** #16 Top Paid · Navigation (US App Store)

Master IFR holding pattern entries on your mobile device to save time and money on instrument flight training. Practice at your convenience to make choosing the correct entry a breeze.

**Highlights:** Entry Trainer for holding pattern drills, Holding calculator for scenario visualization, Holding tutorial for quick learning, Practice at your own pace, Save on flight and ground lessons

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

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Great for practicing holds
- 💡 Excellent visualization tool
- 🚀 Helps learn fast
- ✅ Accurate for many users
- 🧠 Reinforces knowledge

**What reviewers complain about**

- ❌ Incorrect entries/drawings
- ⚠️ Wrong answers/info
- 😞 Wastes valuable time
- 💸 Overpriced for some
- 🤔 Confusing for some users

**Reported bugs**

- Entries are wrong for turns
- Plan view is incorrect
- App drawing entries in wrong directions
- Slicing the fix completely wrong
- Bearing questions are wrong

**Requested features**

- Include more methods in tutorial
- Add teardrop heading to fly
- Allow practice with bearings on/off
- Show outbound teardrop/inbound parallel correction headings
- Work in portrait mode


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Navigator free?

Navigator costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Holding Pattern Trainer free?

Holding Pattern Trainer costs $4.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Navigator or Holding Pattern Trainer?

Navigator is rated higher. Navigator averages 5.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while Holding Pattern Trainer averages 4.1 from 114 ratings.

### Do Navigator or Holding Pattern Trainer have ads?

Neither Navigator nor Holding Pattern Trainer shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Navigator or Holding Pattern Trainer?

Navigator ships an update every 3 months, and Holding Pattern Trainer every 5 months. Most recently, Navigator was updated on October 26, 2026 and Holding Pattern Trainer on October 26, 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.*