# Bad Elf GPS vs xWind

The clearest difference is price: Bad Elf GPS at Free against xWind's $0.99. Bad Elf GPS also leads on iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). xWind's advantage is review sentiment (75% vs 49%) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 2 months). On rating, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Bad Elf GPS is free to download; xWind costs $0.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

xWind holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: xWind has 550 ratings behind it against 19, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 49% of Bad Elf GPS's written reviews are positive against 75% of xWind's.

Bad Elf GPS ships an update every 2 months, xWind fortnightly. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | Bad Elf GPS | xWind |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $0.99 |
| Rating | [4.4 (19 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718/reviews) | **[4.6 (550 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xwind/id1477120117/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 19 | **550** |
| Positive reviews | 49.0% of reviews | **75.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Fortnightly** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Best chart rank | — | **#152** |
| Size | 82 MB | 13 MB |
| Requires iOS | **9.0** | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Bad Elf, LLC.](https://appshunter.io/developer/391764721) | [Jan Bloemendaal](https://appshunter.io/developer/1477120116) |

## What reviewers say

### Bad Elf GPS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bad-elf-gps/id391764718)

Manage your Bad Elf GPS accessory. Check hardware health, view GPS data, transfer trip logs, and update firmware. Enhances location services for iOS devices.

**Highlights:** Check hardware health, View GPS data, Transfer trip logs, Install firmware updates, Enhance iOS location services

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🎯 Accurate GPS positioning without cellular dependency
- ⚡ Fast satellite acquisition and lock
- 🔧 Reliable hardware that lasts years
- 📱 Works seamlessly with compatible mapping apps
- 🛰️ Excellent satellite visibility display

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Frequent app crashes across iOS versions
- 📶 Stale data display in app interface
- 🔄 Unreliable Bluetooth connectivity
- ⚠️ No offline base maps in app
- 🗺️ Limited map functionality without third-party apps

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes on startup with iOS 8.3+
- Firmware update hangs indefinitely
- Stale cached data prevents control functionality
- Track logging fails to activate despite appearing to work
- Barometer readings not displayed correctly

**Requested features**

- Offline base map display
- UTM coordinate display option
- Improved Bluetooth reliability
- Modern USB-C connector
- Satellite status information in main app view


### xWind

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xwind/id1477120117)

**Currently charting:** #152 Top Paid · Utilities (US App Store)

This tool helps pilots quickly assess wind conditions relative to aircraft limitations. It displays essential wind data, including headwind, crosswind, and tailwind components, along with runway course and wind limits on a single screen for easy reference during flight.

**Highlights:** Headwind, crosswind, and tailwind calculation, Displays current wind direction and speed, Shows runway course, Indicates applied wind limits, Identifies 'forbidden' wind angles, Provides maximum wind speed table, Adjustable wind and runway settings

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Easy to use and read
- 👍 Works well for its intended purpose
- 👍 Good interface
- 👍 Remembers settings
- 👍 Helpful for visualizing wind

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🤔 Numbers are unlabeled and ambiguous
- 🤔 Not intuitive
- 🤔 Difficult to understand
- 🤔 Instructions could be clearer
- 🤔 Old version was better

**Reported bugs**

- Speed toggle doesn't work, always shows MPS

**Requested features**

- Incorporate gust factors
- 3 customizable buttons for quick limit settings
- Different colored concentric rings inside the red limit ring


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Bad Elf GPS free?

Bad Elf GPS is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is xWind free?

xWind costs $0.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, Bad Elf GPS or xWind?

xWind is rated higher. Bad Elf GPS averages 4.4 out of 5 from 19 ratings, while xWind averages 4.6 from 550 ratings.

### Do Bad Elf GPS or xWind have ads?

Neither Bad Elf GPS nor xWind shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Bad Elf GPS or xWind?

Bad Elf GPS ships an update every 2 months, and xWind fortnightly. Most recently, Bad Elf GPS was updated on October 17, 2026 and xWind on October 17, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*