Sporty's E6B Flight Computer vs Theodolite HD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
This aviation calculator app offers 27 functions for navigation, fuel calculations, and conversions. It includes a versatile timer for tracking multiple time zones and performing countdowns with alerts. Designed for pilots, it simplifies complex flight planning and in-flight computations.
- 27 Aviation Functions
- 22 Aviation Conversions
- Navigational Calculations
- Fuel Calculations
- Advanced Timer/Clock
- Zulu, Local, and Home Time Tracking
- Basic Arithmetic Calculator
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Based on Sporty’s popular handheld E6B Electronic Flight Computer, the E6B app has been designed from the ground up to make the most of iOS on the iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch, and MacOS on Apple Computers. The software is based on the tried and true formulas and algorithms developed over the years by Sporty’s team of over 50 pilots. Its pilot-friendly design makes quick work of any navigational, conversion or fuel problem and it also performs conventional arithmetic calculations. The advanced timer/clock feature simultaneously tracks Zulu, Local and Home time zones. The timer counts either up or down, and will display an alert when reaching zero. 27 AVIATION FUNCTIONS -Pressure & Density Altitude -Planned True Airspeed -Heading and Groundspeed -Compass Heading -Leg Time -Fuel Required -Crosswind, Headwind and Tailwind -Cloud Base and Freezing Level -Actual True Airspeed -Actual True Altitude -Wind Speed and Direction -Groundspeed -Planned Mach Number -Required True Airspeed -Required Calibrated Airspeed -Distance Flown -Endurance -Fuel per Hour -Actual Mach Number -Percent Mean Aerodynamic Chord (MAC) -Hydroplane Speed -Required Rate of Climb -Specific Range -Pivotal Altitude -Top of Descent -Required Rate of Descent -Glide Distance 22 AVIATION CONVERSIONS -Celsius :: Fahrenheit -Nautical Miles :: Statute Miles -Nautical Miles :: Kilometers -Feet :: Meters -Pounds :: Kilograms -Avgas Gallons :: Pounds -Jet A Gallons :: Pounds -Gallons :: Liters -Hours/Minutes/Seconds :: Hours -Climb FT/NM :: Climb Percent -Climb FT/NM :: Climb Degrees CALCULATOR -Perform basic math without having to exit the application CLOCK/TIMER -Simultaneous tracking of Zulu, Home and Local time zones -Advanced timer counts up or down and operates independently so you can perform other calculations while the timer is running -Upon reaching zero in the countdown mode, a message will display no matter what app is active – a useful feature for missed approaches, switching fuel tanks, etc.
Theodolite HD
This app combines a compass, inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, and map for augmented reality navigation. It allows users to capture data-overlay photos and videos, view positions on a map with offline options, and share location data with others. It's designed for professional use and outdoor activities.
- Augmented reality viewfinder
- Compass and inclinometer
- GPS and map with offline options
- Data-overlay photo/video camera
- Rangefinder and nav calculator
- Location sharing and team tracking
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Theodolite HD is a multi-function viewfinder that combines a compass, two-axis inclinometer, rangefinder, GPS, map, nav calculator, and geo-overlay photo/movie camera into one indispensable app. Theodolite was one of the very first augmented reality (AR) apps when it was released in 2009, and it’s been downloaded and used by millions of customers since then. Uses are endless, and the app is great for land measurements, outdoor sports, sightseeing, navigation, and finding your way around. Theodolite is a pro grade app and is used extensively by surveyors, geologists, architects, engineers, competitive sportsmen, first responders, military personnel, and search and rescue workers around the world. Theodolite lets you take data-overlay photos and movies with 2X-8X zoom. Overlay geographical data, angle markings, date/time, author/company info, and project notes directly on photos and movies for later reference. The same data is written into the metadata record of images, making image files self-contained data records. Third-party apps can tap into Theodolite's advanced camera functions with a camera sharing feature. View current position on the built-in map with optional offline Outdoors maps that include topo contours, roads, trails, landmarks, campgrounds, ski lifts, and more. Live map markers continually update distance/heading relative to the current location and also show wayfinding info in the main viewfinder. Draw polygons on the map to mark things like property boundaries and trails, and import/export polygon data via KML. Share map markers and nav calculator points with other users of Theodolite via text messages or e-mail. This powerful capability opens up a wide range of collaborative uses including team land surveying, accident investigations, spotting wild fires, triangulation of landmarks, and advanced tactical observation and targeting. With an optional in-app purchase to enable team tracking, you can share location with up to 20 people on Theodolite's map. Theodolite includes features for serious users like a reference angle mode, nav calculator, map marker import/export, manual and automatic data logging with CSV and KML export, clipboard integration, %grade display, mil compass readout, optical rangefinders (including a mil-based reticle, sniper-style stadiametric graphs, and a variable 4X-24X scope), and night filters to improve use in dark conditions. Theodolite can provide location in military grid reference system (MGRS) coordinates, Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) coordinates, British/Irish National Grids, US National Grid, Maidenhead locator system, Map Grid of Australia, and six latitude/longitude formats. Optional US State Plane coordinates include SPCS27 and SPCS83 zones covering all US States. The optional Datum Pack adds over 230 geodetic datums to the app to improve position computation from GPS data, covering regions and countries on all continents around the world. AR Layers include navigational aids like the sun, moon, planets, and Polaris (North star), and the optional US Mountain Summits layer that shows over 70,000 US mountain summits in the viewfinder. Theodolite has been shown in Apple Keynotes, featured on the App Store, and has been a #1 selling Navigation app in App Stores around the world. Since its introduction in 2009, Theodolite has defined augmented reality navigation. The app continually introduces new technologies, pushing the limits of iOS app development and taking advantage of new hardware capabilities. Find out why Apple named Theodolite one of the most amazing apps available and showed it being used to explore the Great Wall of China. Where will you take it on your next adventure? Note: Theodolite HD is an iPad app -- see the regular “Theodolite” app for use on an iPhone or iPod Touch. And be sure to check out the all-new "Theodolite for Watch" and put Theodolite on your wrist!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Sporty's E6B Flight Computer at none against Theodolite HD's 8. Sporty's E6B Flight Computer also leads on update cadence (every 4 weeks vs every 4 months) and ratings volume (5.4K vs 136). Theodolite HD's advantage is review sentiment (91% vs 59%) and price ($8.99 vs $9.99). On rating, ads and iOS requirement 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
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer costs $9.99 and Theodolite HD $8.99 up front. Theodolite HD sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Sporty's E6B Flight Computer asks for nothing beyond the download.
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sporty's E6B Flight Computer has 5.4K ratings behind it against 136, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 59% of Sporty's E6B Flight Computer's written reviews are positive against 91% of Theodolite HD's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer ships an update every 4 weeks, Theodolite HD every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on October 27, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sporty's E6B Flight Computer | Theodolite HD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $8.99 — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (5.4K ratings) — better | 4.7 (136 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 59.3% of reviews | 91.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 5.4K — better | 136 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | Free with in-app purchases — better |
| Best chart rank | #3 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 15.6 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 30 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sporty's Pilot Shop | Craig Hunter |
Customer experience
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
Theodolite HD
User reviews
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
From 5.4K App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Calculates everything so much faster
- 👍 Easy and user-friendly interface
- 🚀 Provides all the tools needed
- 👍 Organized and easy to use
- 👍 Useful for aviation and non-aviation calculations
Room to improve
- 🐛 Keyboard issues on iPad and iOS
- 🐛 Bugs and inaccurate calculations
- 💡 Lacks weight and balance feature
- 💡 Missing conversion factors and formulas
- 💡 Needs more flexibility with formulas
Theodolite HD
From 136 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
- 🔍 Accurate measurements and data
- 📷 Useful photo documentation features
- 🧭 Versatile for various applications
- 🏫 Great for educational and teaching purposes
Room to improve
- 🔍 Occasional compass/sensor accuracy issues
- 💰 Expensive in-app purchases for maps and features
- 📱 Separate iPhone and iPad versions require double purchase
- 🔄 Lack of screen rotation support on some devices
Bugs and requests
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
Reported bugs
6 issues- Keyboard not working on iPad and iOS 26
- Pressure altitude tool not accepting certain numbers
- Weight and balance not accepting decimal points
- Heading and groundspeed calculations not working
- Density altitude calculation issues
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- Keyboard issues causing number scrambling
Requested features
8 requests- Add weight and balance feature
- Improve Apple Watch support
- Add cold temperature correction for DA and MDA
- Add glide path calculation to TOD
- Add time calculation like on electronic E6B
Show 3 moreShow fewer
- Allow inputting required rate of climb
- Add magnetic variation input field
- Add more metric unit support
Theodolite HD
Reported bugs
2 issues- Occasional crashes or freezes, especially on older devices
- Camera orientation issues on some devices
Requested features
4 requests- Add option to set elevation angle to 0 degrees horizontal
- Implement cross-device sync and data sharing
- Expand map coverage and reduce in-app purchase costs
- Add support for more camera features like video recording
In-app purchases
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
No in-app purchases
Theodolite HD
- 1,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$0.99
- Team Tracking$1.99
- World Datum Pack$2.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- US Mountain Summits AR Layer$2.99
- 5,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$4.99
- 10,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$8.99
- 20,000 Outdoors Map Tiles$17.99
- US State Plane Coordinates$24.99
Questions
Is Sporty's E6B Flight Computer free?
Is Theodolite HD free?
Which has better reviews, Sporty's E6B Flight Computer or Theodolite HD?
Do Sporty's E6B Flight Computer or Theodolite HD have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sporty's E6B Flight Computer or Theodolite HD?
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