ACARS vs Truck & Driver
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ACARS
View ACARS aircraft transmissions on your iOS device without a bulky computer. Requires a radio scanner tuned to the aircraft band. Save decodes to a file or transfer to your computer.
- View ACARS transmissions on iOS
- Save decoded packets to a file
- Transfer data to computer via iTunes
- Built-in aircraft model database
- Add custom plane information
- Color-coded packet fields
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Want to display ACARS transmissions, without using a bulky computer? ACARS lets you view ACARS aircraft transmissions on your iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch. A radio/scanner capable of tuning the 118-136 MHz aircraft band is required. Just set it next to the radio's speaker, tune in an ACARS frequency, and watch the decodes. Or, for even better reception, use a pair of earbuds, plugged into the radio’s headphone jack, rather than the internal speaker. You can save decoded ACARS packets to a file to view later, or transfer to your computer via iTunes. Aircraft model information for many planes in a built in database is displayed along with the decoded packets. You can also add your own plane information to the database. Packet fields are color coded on iOS 6 and later. Buy your copy right now, and start decoding and displaying ACARS transmissions in minutes.
Truck & Driver
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The UK's leading commercial vehicle monthly magazine directed at drivers. Magazine Subscriptions are available for purchase inside this app. One year subscription - $39.99 (automatically renewed until canceled) Your subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period. Your iTunes account will automatically be charged at the same price for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period unless you change your subscription preferences in your account settings. You can manage your subscriptions through your account settings after purchase on your device. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period. Please visit http://www.magzter.com/ns/privacy-policy.html for our Privacy Policy and http://www.magzter.com/ns/terms_condition.html for our Terms & Conditions
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Truck & Driver at Free against ACARS's $2.99. ACARS's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10) and chart position (#83 vs unranked). On update cadence, ads 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
Truck & Driver is free to download; ACARS costs $2.99 up front. Truck & Driver sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $39.99 per year. ACARS asks for nothing beyond the download.
ACARS ships an update every 12 months, Truck & Driver every 10 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.
| Parameter | ACARS | Truck & Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 3.0 (14 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 41.4% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 14 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 12 months | Every 10 months — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Paid | — |
| Best chart rank | #83 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 6.0 — better | 11.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2 MB | 29 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Black Cat Systems | Magzter Inc. |
In-app purchases
ACARS
No in-app purchases
Truck & Driver
- Truck & Driver$39.991 Year
- Truck & Driver February 2013$3.99
- Truck & Driver March 2013$3.99
- Truck & Driver April 2014$3.99
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- Truck & Driver May 2014$3.99
- Truck & Driver August 2014$3.99
- Truck & Driver May 2015$3.99
- Truck & Driver Summer 2016$3.99
- Truck & Driver Jul 2020$3.99
- Truck & Driver$4.99
Questions
Is ACARS free?
Is Truck & Driver free?
Do ACARS or Truck & Driver have ads?
Which is updated more often, ACARS or Truck & Driver?
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