# Q Code vs Direct

The clearest difference is rating: Direct at 4.6 against Q Code's 3.0. Direct also leads on ratings volume (685 vs 2) and update cadence (every 2 months vs every 5 months). Q Code's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 2). On price, review sentiment, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Direct sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Q Code asks for nothing beyond the download.

Direct holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.0. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Direct has 685 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 80% of Q Code's written reviews are positive against 76% of Direct's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

Q Code ships an update every 5 months, Direct every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Q Code | Direct |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [3.0 (2 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/q-code/id415059756/reviews) | **[4.6 (685 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/direct-to-pilot-gps-vfr-ifr/id994479457/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 2 | **685** |
| Positive reviews | **80.0% of reviews** | 75.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 5 months | **Every 2 months** |
| Monetization | **Free** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 4 MB | 62 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 18.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Lonnie Ganz](https://appshunter.io/developer/377624986) | [Flygo-Aviation Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/550770776) |

## What reviewers say

### Q Code

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/q-code/id415059756)

Decode aviation Notam Q-codes quickly and easily. Enter the four letters following 'Q' to instantly see the Notam Subject, Component, and Condition codes. Essential for pilots and aviation enthusiasts.

**Highlights:** Q-Code decoding, Notam Subject lookup, Component code display, Condition code display, Simple interface

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none


### Direct

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/direct-to-pilot-gps-vfr-ifr/id994479457)

This offline air navigation tool provides real-time GPS tracking, a comprehensive airport database, and intuitive flight instruments for VFR and IFR flights. It supports various aircraft types and offers features like holding pattern assistance and flight history, enabling confident navigation even without an internet connection.

**Highlights:** Real-time GPS tracking, Worldwide airport database, Intuitive flight instruments (EHSI, RMI), Offline map support, Holding pattern helper, Flight history and reports

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Half Price Pro Mode | $16.99 | one-time |
| Normal Price Pro Mode | $31.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Perfectly simple
- 🚀 Fabulous
- 🚀 Awesome
- 🚀 A must have app
- 🚀 Excellent Navigation tool

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 No documentation
- 🐛 Work in progress
- 💰 Too expensive
- 🐛 Broken app
- 🐛 Confusing

**Reported bugs**

- Can't delete waypoints in free trial
- Doesn't launch

**Requested features**

- VFR map overlay
- Add waypoints between final point
- Add miles per hour display
- Save route


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Q Code free?

Q Code is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Direct free?

Direct is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Q Code or Direct?

Direct is rated higher. Q Code averages 3.0 out of 5 from 2 ratings, while Direct averages 4.6 from 685 ratings.

### Do Q Code or Direct have ads?

Neither Q Code nor Direct shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Q Code or Direct?

Q Code ships an update every 5 months, and Direct every 2 months. Most recently, Q Code was updated on October 16, 2026 and Direct on October 21, 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.*