Garmin GTN Trainer vs SimControlX
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Garmin GTN Trainer
Learn the basic operation of Garmin avionics with a simulated on-the-ground training environment. Practice using the pilot interface with realistic multi-touch controls, flight plan editing, and access to detailed airport information, approach charts, and weather data.
- Simulated multi-touch and drag interface
- Garmin SafeTaxi airport information
- Garmin FliteCharts approach charts
- Worldwide terrain and aviation databases
- Obstacle databases with powerline alerting
- Simulated weather and traffic data
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The Garmin GTN 650 / 750 Trainer allows you to experience the pilot interface and provides an on-the-ground environment to learn the basic operation of the avionics. Train like it's the real thing! The GTN 650 / 750 Trainer includes: • Simulated multi-touch and drag interface – allows you to interact with the system, graphically edit flight plans and much more • Garmin SafeTaxi – allows you to view detailed airport information on the moving map • Garmin FliteCharts – allows you to view published approach charts • High resolution worldwide terrain maps and aviation databases • High resolution obstacle databases including powerline alerting • Simulated interfaces and data including: Garmin GDL 88 ADS-B and TCAS Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion Garmin GDL 88 FIS-B Weather Garmin GDL 69 with SiriusXM Weather Garmin GWX 70 Weather Radar L-3 Avionics WX-500 Stormscope Lightning Detection Garmin GMA Series Audio Panel Control Garmin GTX Series Mode S Transponder Simulation * Notes: The GTN 650 / 750 Trainer runs on Apple iPad 2 and newer. Supports 32 and 64-Bit Devices. * This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. This app should not be used for actual navigation purposes.
SimControlX
Control your flight simulator from your iPad with this instructor station app. Remotely manage aircraft position, weather, and system failures for realistic training and enhanced gameplay. Connects via Wi-Fi to supported simulators.
- iPad instructor station for flight simulators
- Remote aircraft repositioning
- Customizable weather settings
- Simulated system and engine failures
- Worldwide moving map with flight path tracing
- Quick Wi-Fi connection to simulator
- Fuel and battery recharge options
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SimControlX is a sophisticated iPad-based Instructor / Operator Station (IOS) for Prepar3D®, X-Plane and ELITE XTS flight simulators (please review currently supported simulator versions below). SimControlX brings updated iOS platform support, various under-the-hood improvements, a fresh look-and-feel as well as useful new features to its capable predecessor SimControl. It uses Wi-Fi to communicate to the host simulator via custom server software which can be obtained from www.simcontrol.net. SimControlX will enhance your flight simulator experience unlike any other app on the market. This app gives you the power of a powerful instructor station, in your lap! SimControlX grants users the ability to reposition aircraft instantly, change the wind and weather, fail engine components or instruments for realistic training in your simulator and much more without ever needing to get out of the captain’s chair or interrupt the simulation. This helps make the experience fun again by alleviating many of the common complaints, distractions, and tasks that require navigating through multiple computer screens. SimControlX also makes training scenarios easier than ever to achieve. With the use of instant aircraft repositioning you could, for instance, set yourself up for an approach 5, 10 or 15 nautical miles from the runway or even left or right downwind, as many times as you need or practice engine out procedures with the press of a button. Supported Simulators: - Prepar3D® v3.4, v4.0+ and 5.0+ - X-Plane 10 [64-bit] and X-Plane 11 - ELITE XTS Key Features: - Worldwide moving map screen with flight path tracing (requires internet connection) - Changing of user aircraft without using any tedious menus in the host simulator (P3D & X-Plane only) - Instant repositioning of aircraft - Set custom weather settings with multiple layers - Option to use current real METAR weather settings for your local area (requires internet connection) - Quick and easy connection to the simulator over WiFi - Fuel top off and battery recharge at the click of a button - AI traffic display on map (P3D & X-Plane only) - Dedicated failures page for instruments, systems, and engine malfunctions and random failures * This software as well as included data and charts are NOT for real world aviation use. They are intended for flight simulator use only. You must consult appropriate sources before flying a real aircraft. * More information available at www.simcontrol.net * For app support please contact support@simcontrol.net * For non-support questions, please use this email: info@simcontrol.net Credits: * Simulator connectivity thanks to Lockheed Martin® Prepar3D®, Laminar Research's X-Plane and ELITE Simulation Solutions XTS
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: Garmin GTN Trainer at Free against SimControlX's $19.99. SimControlX's advantage is update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 7 months) and review sentiment (50% vs 30%). On ratings volume, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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
Garmin GTN Trainer is free to download; SimControlX costs $19.99 up front. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
SimControlX holds the better App Store score, 3.5 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 6 and 4 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Garmin GTN Trainer's written reviews are positive against 50% of SimControlX's.
Garmin GTN Trainer ships an update every 7 months, SimControlX every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 12, 2026 and October 7, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Garmin GTN Trainer | SimControlX |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $19.99 |
| Rating | 3.3 (6 ratings) | 3.5 (4 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 29.8% of reviews | 50.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 6 — better | 4 |
| Update frequency | Every 7 months | Every 6 weeks — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Paid | Paid |
| Devices | iPad | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 13 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 2.4 GB | 4 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Garmin DCI | ELITE Simulation Solutions AG |
Customer experience
Garmin GTN Trainer
SimControlX
Bugs and requests
Garmin GTN Trainer
Reported bugs
75 issues- VNAV function does not work
- Airplane starts on the other side of the country
- GTN 750XI app crashes when start button is pushed
- GTN 650 closes out and stops when going to find frequency, recent
- App starts with a blank black screen on display
Show 70 moreShow fewer
- 750 screen is black on startup
- 650 just gets a spinning circle
- Nothing comes on the screen
- Loads but will not turn on
- No button or toggle to turn on the app
- Shows an off GPS
- Screen is all black
- Screen won't turn on when loading up
- GPS Screen Blank/Black
- Nothing loads on the display
- App does not load anymore
- Loads, but leaves you on a black screen with no functionality
- App seems to be broken for the iPad
- App doesn’t show anything on the simulated screen
- Loads to black screen
- Unit does not power on
- Doesn’t work with iPadOS 17.4.1
- GPS screen doesn’t turn on
- Controller loads but has zero functionality
- Garmin unit does not power on
- App is broken
- Slow and doesn't work
- GTN screens are black and nothing works
- GPS is just a black screen
- App is unusable
- Newest iPad version seems to have broken the entire software
- Apps are not kept up to date
- Simulator freezes
- App constantly crashes
- Airplane doesn’t start flying the route when you add airspeed and altitude
- Airplane’s starting location can’t be moved
- Manual doesn’t explain how to do things
- Graphically Edit Flight Plan Mode does not seem to operate correctly
- Jeppesen data is 2018
- Approaches don’t exist or are hamstrung
- GTN 650 starts at 51K in CA
- Cannot permanently delete initial fix
- No updated procedures for Europe
- RNAV approaches not updated
- ILS will not descend on autopilot
- Manual does not work
- Database with Europe seems to have gone away
- Needs 6.5x update
- Needs 6.50 or 6.51 update
- GTN 750 looks old fashioned
- Needs update for latest software version
- Won’t download or install
- Unsupported app
- Database age
- Missing X-Plane integration
- Does not recognize purchase
- Trial period expired
- Not recognizing paid purchase
- Does not agree with PC trainer
- Some utilities missing
- Layout is different
- Sync with X-Plane needed
- App is a trial
- Reinitializes anytime you switch away
- Loses flight plan and all inputs
- Starts all over with initialization
- Current session/flight/function is forever lost
- Expensive for limited functionality
- Crashes when opening app
- Does not work with OS 11
- App does not recognize paid purchase after upgrade
- App switched to subscription without tracking previous payments
- App turned paid app into a trial
- App reinitializes when switching away
- App loses place if you switch out of it
Requested features
25 requests- Integrate GFC 500 AP
- Integrate GFC 600/700 AP
- Add autopilot controller head
- Add annunciation display showing AP, HDG, ALT status
- Add fields for actual IAS and ALT of simulated airplane
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- Add second radio option to audio panel
- Add start-up field for 'Starting Location'
- Update Jeppesen database
- Update European procedures
- Add linked/synchronized G5 HSI simulator
- Add VNAV support to iPad version
- Update app to actual current version
- Add support for X-Plane integration over WiFi
- Add support for Lockheeds Martin Prepar3D flight simulation
- Add ability to sync with X-Plane
- Add Turboprop icon
- Add High-Wing Prop icon
- Allow two iPads connected over WiFi/Bluetooth
- Run GTN trainer on MacOS
- Add dark mode option
- Add advanced analytics dashboard
- Add vertical (Portrait mode) or Horizontal display mode support
- Update to GTN ver. 5.0 with HTAWS
- Make it like the $25 CD version
- Add support for GNS430 WAAS
SimControlX
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Garmin GTN Trainer
No in-app purchases
SimControlX
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Garmin GTN Trainer free?
Is SimControlX free?
Which has better reviews, Garmin GTN Trainer or SimControlX?
Do Garmin GTN Trainer or SimControlX have ads?
Which is updated more often, Garmin GTN Trainer or SimControlX?
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