Comparison

Zulu Time vs Simple Xwind

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

Head to head
About

Zulu Time

This app displays local and UTC (Zulu) time, along with multiple time zones, on your iPhone, Apple Watch, and iPad. It offers widgets for quick access and features for calculating future or past times with offsets, simplifying timezone conversions for various professions.

Highlights
  • Display local and Zulu (UTC) time
  • Multiple time zone display
  • Home and Lock Screen widgets
  • Apple Watch complications
  • Future/past time offset calculations
  • Time zone conversion
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

An iPhone, Apple Watch and iPad app to see Local and Zulu time (GMT) or multiple time zones in a single glance. Includes Widgets for both the iPhone and Apple Watch. Useful for pilots in getting weather briefings and filing flight plans, or Ham radio operators to do timezone conversions. No more worrying about getting the timezone offset correct or Daylight Savings Time conversions. Easily convert from different time zones, including times in the future or past. On the iPhone: - Home and Lock Screen widgets - The Zulu Time page gives a quick view of both Zulu and Local times - The Offset Time page allows you to see Zulu and local time either in the future or past by entering an offset via the Offset button. Tapping either Zulu or Local times will allow you to enter a time in the future or past, synchronizing both Local and Zulu times with that offset. The offset only applies to this view (except on the iPad the offset applies to everything on the page) - The Multiple Zones page allows you to add as many time zones as you wish in a scrolling view. Clicking on any Time Zone will allow you to change it. on iPad: All information is combined on one screen. You have user customizable time zones on the right hand side. On the left, you have Zulu and Local time and one customizable time zone. The offset to see future or past time can be done via the Offset button or tapping any of either the Zulu, Local or Custom time buttons on the left. On the Watch: Complications available in all watch faces making for glanceable ZuluTime and access to the app, which gives offset able time computation.

About

Simple Xwind

Quickly calculate crosswind and tailwind limits during flight. This app provides fast, precise calculations without clutter or unnecessary graphics, designed for immediate use when conditions change unexpectedly.

Highlights
  • Quick crosswind calculations
  • Precise tailwind limits
  • Fast and reliable
  • Simple, clutter-free interface
  • Designed for speed
Features
Read full description

You're on short final when the tower provides updated winds. The conditions have changed more than expected, and there’s no time for mental math to determine if you're within crosswind and tailwind limits. Xwind gives you quick and precise calculations when you need them most. No clutter, no unnecessary graphics—just a fast, reliable crosswind calculator built for ease of use. Unlike other bulky apps, Xwind is designed for speed and simplicity, so you can get the data you need instantly. No extra clicks, no distractions—just numbers.

Screenshots

Zulu Time4 screens
Simple Xwind3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: Simple Xwind at Free against Zulu Time's $0.99. Simple Xwind also leads on iOS requirement (15.6 vs 17.6). Zulu Time's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.0) and ratings volume (2.6K vs 4). On ads, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support 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

Simple Xwind is free to download; Zulu Time costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Zulu Time holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Zulu Time has 2.6K ratings behind it against 4, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 79% of Zulu Time's written reviews are positive against 67% of Simple Xwind's.

Scorecard6 real differences · 5 level
Zulu Time versus Simple Xwind: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterZulu TimeSimple Xwind
Price$0.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (2.6K ratings) — better4.0 (4 ratings)
Positive reviews78.6% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings2.6K — better4
Update frequencyEvery 3 months—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
Best chart rank#139 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS17.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size16 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDerek SpearsAlex Deutz

Customer experience

Zulu Time

All ratings2,618 ratings
Positive96.5%
Neutral1.6%
Negative1.9%
Written reviews98 reviews
Positive78.6%
Neutral10.2%
Negative11.2%

Simple Xwind

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Bugs and requests

Zulu Time

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • Complication freezes after a few days
  • Zulu time loses accuracy over time on Apple Watch
  • Widget not updating local time properly

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add alarm feature
  • Allow landscape mode for bedside clock view
  • Provide option for always-on display
  • Add time zone map for quick reference
  • Show day of year in display

Simple Xwind

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

None

Zulu Time

No in-app purchases

None

Simple Xwind

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Zulu Time free?
Zulu Time costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Simple Xwind free?
Simple Xwind is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Zulu Time or Simple Xwind?
Zulu Time is rated higher. Zulu Time averages 4.8 out of 5 from 2.6K ratings, while Simple Xwind averages 4.0 from 4 ratings.
Do Zulu Time or Simple Xwind have ads?
Neither Zulu Time nor Simple Xwind shows ads.

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