# iControl DCS vs Air Manager

The clearest difference is rating: iControl DCS at 4.9 against Air Manager's 3.1. iControl DCS also leads on review sentiment (71% vs 31%) and update cadence (every 4 months vs every 10 months). Air Manager's advantage is price ($22.99 vs $29.99). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

iControl DCS costs $29.99 and Air Manager $22.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

iControl DCS holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.1. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 10 and 27 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 71% of iControl DCS's written reviews are positive against 31% of Air Manager's.

iControl DCS ships an update every 4 months, Air Manager every 10 months. The most recent releases landed on June 9, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | iControl DCS | Air Manager |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | $29.99 | **$22.99** |
| Rating | **[4.9 (10 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icontrol-dcs/id435409019/reviews)** | [3.1 (27 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/air-manager/id1052587916/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 10 | **27** |
| Positive reviews | **71.4% of reviews** | 30.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 4 months** | Every 10 months |
| Monetization | Paid | **Free** |
| Size | 3 MB | 897 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [bit-shift.com](https://appshunter.io/developer/435409022) | [Sim Innovations B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1052587915) |

## What reviewers say

### iControl DCS

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/icontrol-dcs/id435409019)

Enhance your flight simulation experience by extending your cockpit to an iPad. Control Digital Combat Simulator's A-10C Warthog with touch screen input, eliminating the need for a mouse during intense gameplay. Enjoy interactive displays and a wide range of cockpit functions for a more immersive simulation.

**Highlights:** Interactive MFCD, CDU, and UFC displays, Touchscreen control for simulator functions, Retina iPad support with original graphics, Support for multiple connected iPads, Cold ramp startup controls, Autopilot controls

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### Air Manager

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/air-manager/id1052587916)

Design custom flight simulator instrument panels on your iPad. Connect to popular simulators like X-plane and FS2020 to use your iPad as a primary or secondary instrument display. Offers over 1000 free instruments and intuitive touch controls for a realistic simulation experience.

**Highlights:** Custom instrument panel design, iPad as primary/secondary display, Connects to X-plane, FS2020, P3D, FSX, Over 1000 free instruments, Intuitive drag-and-drop interface, Control simulator functions via touch

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is iControl DCS free?

iControl DCS costs $29.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Air Manager free?

Air Manager costs $22.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, iControl DCS or Air Manager?

iControl DCS is rated higher. iControl DCS averages 4.9 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Air Manager averages 3.1 from 27 ratings.

### Do iControl DCS or Air Manager have ads?

Neither iControl DCS nor Air Manager shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, iControl DCS or Air Manager?

iControl DCS ships an update every 4 months, and Air Manager every 10 months. Most recently, iControl DCS was updated on June 9, 2026 and Air Manager on September 18, 2026.

---

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