Comparison

ACARS vs Truck & Driver

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

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.

About

Truck & Driver

Features
Read full description

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

ACARS3 screens
Truck & Driver4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACARS ships an update every 12 months, Truck & Driver every 10 months. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard4 real differences · 7 level
ACARS versus Truck & Driver: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACARSTruck & Driver
Price$2.99Free — better
Rating3.0 (14 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews41.4% of reviews—
Number of ratings14 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 12 monthsEvery 10 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
Best chart rank#83 — better—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS6.0 — better11.0
Further details — not scored
Size2 MB29 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBlack Cat SystemsMagzter Inc.

In-app purchases

None

ACARS

No in-app purchases

10 purchases

Truck & Driver

Subscriptions1
  • Truck & Driver$39.991 Year
One-time9
  • Truck & Driver February 2013$3.99
  • Truck & Driver March 2013$3.99
  • Truck & Driver April 2014$3.99
Show 6 more
  • 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?
ACARS costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is Truck & Driver free?
Truck & Driver is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ACARS or Truck & Driver have ads?
Neither ACARS nor Truck & Driver shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACARS or Truck & Driver?
ACARS ships an update every 12 months, and Truck & Driver every 10 months. Most recently, ACARS was updated on November 1, 2026 and Truck & Driver on November 1, 2026.

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