Sporty's E6B Flight Computer vs NRST
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.
NRST
This app helps pilots navigate by providing essential airport information, including distance, elevation, and required descent rates. It offers real-time data updates and customizable descent settings for various aircraft types. Worldwide airport coverage is available, with daily database updates.
- Real-time airport data
- Customizable descent rate
- Worldwide airport coverage
- Filter airports by runway
- Glide distance calculation
- Watch app integration
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Don't miss your airport! Designed for pilots of any size aircraft, this app provides you with bearing and vertical speed required to nearby airports. The following information is shown for destinations: • Distance from current location • Field Elevation • Descent rate required • Time to Top of Descent (TOD) • Bearing • Frequencies • Runways • Glide distance delta Additionally your current speed, course, altitude and vertical speed are displayed. Tapping on the information button, Time to TOD or Target Altitude allows you to customize the desired descent rate. All data is updated in real time as you fly. You may choose a nearby airport or select an airport by identifier by scrolling down on the airport list. Filter by runway length and surface type and choose any of the following: airports, seaplane bases, heliports, balloon ports and closed airports. You may optionally provide a glide ratio for your aircraft. The glide distance long or short of the selected airport is then displayed and is conveniently color coded. A positive, green glide delta indicates the glide distance has been estimated to exceed the distance to the airport with a 25% safety margin. Runway headings, if known, are used to draw runways on the heading indicator. If the magenta arrow is pointed straight up and aligned with a runway then you are headed straight in. Worldwide airport information is provided by multiple sources. Canada, Europe and all continents are covered! For more information go to ourairports.com/world.html. Database updates are performed daily. Your location and altitude is provided by your device's location services. If location or altitude is not available that information will not be displayed however you can still search for an airport by identifier. Unfortunately external GPS devices are generally NOT compatible. You must be moving for course information and the magenta relative bearing arrow to be displayed. The Watch app has many of the same features and fits on your wrist. See distances to nearby airports or bearing to a selected airport. Frequencies and runway lengths can be seen with a swipe. A green glide icon or delta indicates glideability is likely. Just like the iPhone and iPad app, the Watch app requires GPS information to locate nearby airports and relative bearing. Additionally, altitude is needed to calculate descent rates. Feedback and feature requests are appreciated. Thanks! Subscription Fine Print ---------------------- - 1 month FREE trial - Database Subscription or Apple Watch Subscription is required for new users - The subscription is for 1 year and updated data is available daily - The annual subscription is $11.99/year or $17.99/year for Watch - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period - Privacy policy and terms of use are located at: http://toonsy.net/privacy.html - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NRST at Free against Sporty's E6B Flight Computer's $9.99. Sporty's E6B Flight Computer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and rating (4.9 vs 4.5). On ads 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
NRST is free to download; Sporty's E6B Flight Computer costs $9.99 up front. NRST sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. 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 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sporty's E6B Flight Computer has 5.3K ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 59% of Sporty's E6B Flight Computer's written reviews are positive against 47% of NRST's.
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer ships an update every 4 weeks, NRST every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sporty's E6B Flight Computer | NRST |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.9 (5.3K ratings) — better | 4.5 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 59.3% of reviews — better | 46.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 5.3K — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #5 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple Watch — better | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 14.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 12 MB | 50 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sporty's Pilot Shop | Toonsy Net |
Customer experience
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
NRST
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
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- Allow inputting required rate of climb
- Add magnetic variation input field
- Add more metric unit support
NRST
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sporty's E6B Flight Computer
No in-app purchases
NRST
- Early Adopter Device Subscription1 Month trial$0.991 Year
- Early Adopter Device and Watch Bronze1 Month trial$1.991 Year
- Device Only1 Month trial$11.991 Year
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- Device Only1 Month trial$14.991 Year
- Device and Watch1 Month trial$17.991 Year
- Device and Watch1 Month trial$24.991 Year
Questions
Is Sporty's E6B Flight Computer free?
Is NRST free?
Which has better reviews, Sporty's E6B Flight Computer or NRST?
Do Sporty's E6B Flight Computer or NRST have ads?
Which is updated more often, Sporty's E6B Flight Computer or NRST?
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