Altimeter+ vs NRST
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Altimeter+
This app measures your current altitude using GPS, ASTER data, or your device's barometer. It offers an integrated map with peak data, a compass, and distance grids, functioning even without active GPS.
- GPS, ASTER, and barometer altitude measurement
- Average altitude calculation
- Integral map with peak indicator
- Compass and distance grid
- Apple Watch support
- Works without active GPS
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The Altimeter+ altimeter calculates the altitude of your current location via a GPS, Aster or barometer measurement (for iPhone 6 and later). In addition to this, the app also provides an average calculation of GPS and ASTER altitude data as well as an integral map which shows peaks, a compass and a distance grid. Features: - Apple Watch support! - Barometer altitude measurement (iPhone 6 and later) - Altimeter with GPS or ASTER measurement - GPS/ASTER average calculation - Unit of measurement - imperial or metric - Integral map with Apple maps and peak indicator, compass and distance grid - Also functions without active GPS Peak data from peakhunter.com
NRST
This app helps pilots navigate by providing essential airport information, including distance, elevation, and required descent rates. It offers real-time data updates and customizable descent settings for various aircraft types. Worldwide airport coverage is available, with daily database updates.
- Real-time airport data
- Customizable descent rate
- Worldwide airport coverage
- Filter airports by runway
- Glide distance calculation
- Watch app integration
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Don't miss your airport! Designed for pilots of any size aircraft, this app provides you with bearing and vertical speed required to nearby airports. The following information is shown for destinations: • Distance from current location • Field Elevation • Descent rate required • Time to Top of Descent (TOD) • Bearing • Frequencies • Runways • Glide distance delta Additionally your current speed, course, altitude and vertical speed are displayed. Tapping on the information button, Time to TOD or Target Altitude allows you to customize the desired descent rate. All data is updated in real time as you fly. You may choose a nearby airport or select an airport by identifier by scrolling down on the airport list. Filter by runway length and surface type and choose any of the following: airports, seaplane bases, heliports, balloon ports and closed airports. You may optionally provide a glide ratio for your aircraft. The glide distance long or short of the selected airport is then displayed and is conveniently color coded. A positive, green glide delta indicates the glide distance has been estimated to exceed the distance to the airport with a 25% safety margin. Runway headings, if known, are used to draw runways on the heading indicator. If the magenta arrow is pointed straight up and aligned with a runway then you are headed straight in. Worldwide airport information is provided by multiple sources. Canada, Europe and all continents are covered! For more information go to ourairports.com/world.html. Database updates are performed daily. Your location and altitude is provided by your device's location services. If location or altitude is not available that information will not be displayed however you can still search for an airport by identifier. Unfortunately external GPS devices are generally NOT compatible. You must be moving for course information and the magenta relative bearing arrow to be displayed. The Watch app has many of the same features and fits on your wrist. See distances to nearby airports or bearing to a selected airport. Frequencies and runway lengths can be seen with a swipe. A green glide icon or delta indicates glideability is likely. Just like the iPhone and iPad app, the Watch app requires GPS information to locate nearby airports and relative bearing. Additionally, altitude is needed to calculate descent rates. Feedback and feature requests are appreciated. Thanks! Subscription Fine Print ---------------------- - 1 month FREE trial - Database Subscription or Apple Watch Subscription is required for new users - The subscription is for 1 year and updated data is available daily - The annual subscription is $11.99/year or $17.99/year for Watch - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period - Privacy policy and terms of use are located at: http://toonsy.net/privacy.html - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: NRST at Free against Altimeter+'s $1.99. Altimeter+'s advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and review sentiment (75% vs 47%). On rating, 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
NRST is free to download; Altimeter+ costs $1.99 up front. NRST sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. Altimeter+ asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Altimeter+ against 4.5 for NRST. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Altimeter+ has 700 ratings behind it against 8, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 75% of Altimeter+'s written reviews are positive against 47% of NRST's.
Altimeter+ ships an update every 2 months, NRST every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 14, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Altimeter+ | NRST |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $1.99 | Free — better |
| Rating | 4.5 (700 ratings) | 4.5 (8 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 74.9% of reviews — better | 46.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 700 — better | 8 |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #23 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch |
| Requires iOS | 11.1 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 50 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sichtwerk AG | Toonsy Net |
Customer experience
Altimeter+
NRST
Bugs and requests
Altimeter+
Reported bugs
3 issues- App crashes when trying to calibrate or access settings
- Altimeter readings are inaccurate or inconsistent
- App not working on certain devices or iOS versions
Requested features
4 requests- Add option to display altitude in feet or meters
- Implement automatic calibration using GPS
- Add complication support for Apple Watch
- Provide above ground level (AGL) altitude reading
NRST
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Altimeter+
No in-app purchases
NRST
- Early Adopter Device Subscription1 Month trial$0.991 Year
- Early Adopter Device and Watch Bronze1 Month trial$1.991 Year
- Device Only1 Month trial$11.991 Year
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- Device Only1 Month trial$14.991 Year
- Device and Watch1 Month trial$17.991 Year
- Device and Watch1 Month trial$24.991 Year









