# Helivac vs Sofia VAC

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Helivac at 50% against Sofia VAC's 25%. On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

Helivac ships an update every 4 months, Sofia VAC every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Helivac | Sofia VAC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Positive reviews | **50.0% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | **Every 3 months** |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Size | 6 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **15.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Julien Rozé](https://appshunter.io/developer/326272897) | [DIR SERVICES DE NAVIGATION AERIENNE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1519391493) |

## What reviewers say

### Helivac

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/helivac/id417603688)

This app provides pilots with offline access to the latest French aeronautical charts. It automatically checks for updates when online and displays the most recent downloaded version when offline, ensuring you always have current navigation data for French airfields.

**Highlights:** Offline VAC chart storage, Automatic internet update verification, Display latest downloaded chart offline, Search fields by name or ICAO code, Favorites and recent charts tabs, Portrait and landscape display, Print and share charts

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

**In-app purchases:** none


### Sofia VAC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sofia-vac/id1519391491)

This app provides access to French aeronautical information, including airfield details and dynamic VAC maps. Users can search for airfields by name or code, filter by runway characteristics, and download maps for offline use. It offers personalized map views with various airspace and navigational point overlays.

**Highlights:** Search airfields by name, ICAO code, or map, Filter airfields by runway length and surface, Consult dynamic VAC maps, Personalize map views with airspaces and VFR points, Download maps for offline access, Receive update notifications

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Helivac free?

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

### Is Sofia VAC free?

Sofia VAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Helivac or Sofia VAC have ads?

Neither Helivac nor Sofia VAC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Helivac or Sofia VAC?

Helivac ships an update every 4 months, and Sofia VAC every 3 months. Most recently, Helivac was updated on September 28, 2026 and Sofia VAC on October 8, 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.*