Comparison

Garmin GTN Trainer vs Boldmethod

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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.

About

Boldmethod

Enhance your aviation knowledge with extensive video training and online courses. Practice with quizzes and master essential piloting skills like takeoffs, landings, airspace navigation, and weather interpretation. Prepare for checkrides and improve your flying proficiency.

Highlights
  • Extensive video training library
  • Online aviation courses
  • Pilot knowledge quizzes
  • Master takeoffs and landings
  • National Airspace System training
  • Aviation weather interpretation
  • VFR charts and publications
Read full description

Want to improve your piloting skills? Then the Boldmethod app is for you. With over 50 hours of videos and online training courses, you'll walk away with the knowledge that makes you a better pilot. Access your Boldmethod training courses in one app, watch the latest training videos, and test your knowledge with quizzes. What's new? The Feed and Challenges tabs are the place to start learning or to brush up on your aviation knowledge. When you're ready to take the next step, sign up for courses to truly master your pilot knowledge. MASTERING TAKEOFFS AND LANDINGS Do you have a perfect landing every time? Neither do we. This video course helps you master your takeoffs and landings. Whether you're trying to stop floating past your landing point or trying to smooth out your touchdown, you'll learn how to fix any of your takeoff and landing problems with this simple-to-use online course. The course breaks down takeoffs and landings into sections: Normal Takeoffs Traffic Patterns Normal Landings Crosswind Takeoffs and Landings Short Field Takeoffs and Landings Soft Field Takeoffs and Landings Non-Standard Takeoffs and Landings Night Takeoffs and Landings NATIONAL AIRSPACE SYSTEM Our airspace course covers everything you need to know about the National Airspace System, including Class A-G airspace, Special Use Airspace, and Other Airspace. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down airspace into sections: Class A airspace Class B airspace Class C airspace Class D airspace Class E airspace Class G airspace Special use airspace Other airspace AVIATION WEATHER REPORTS AND FORECASTS Our weather course covers everything you need to know about aviation weather, including METARs, TAFs, Pilot Reports, Graphical Forecasts For Aviation, Winds Aloft Forecasts, AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs. It's an excellent way to prepare for your private pilot checkride and keep your flying skills sharp. The course breaks down aviation weather into sections: METARs TAFs PIREPs Graphical Forecasts For Aviation Winds Aloft Forecasts AIRMETs, SIGMETs, and Convective SIGMETs VFR CHARTS AND PUBLICATIONS Our charts course covers everything you need to know about VFR charts and publications, including sectional charts, terminal area charts, the Digital Chart Supplement, and NOTAMs. The course breaks down publications into sections: Sectional Charts Terminal Area Charts Digital Chart Supplement NOTAMs MOUNTAIN WEATHER Do you want to feel more comfortable flying around the high country? Boldmethod's Mountain Weather course helps make that happen. You'll learn how to evaluate mountain weather during your planning and while you're in flight. You'll also learn how terrain generates updrafts, downdrafts, turbulence, and storms, and changes the direction of the wind throughout the day. The course breaks down weather into sections: Mountain Waves Strong Surface Winds Updrafts, Downdrafts, And Turbulence Convergence Zones Coastal Mountain Wind Systems The North American Monsoon Daily (Diurnal) Winds In Valleys Mountain Thunderstorms

Screenshots

Boldmethod4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Boldmethod at 97% against Garmin GTN Trainer's 30%. Boldmethod also leads on rating (4.9 vs 3.5) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 7 months). Garmin GTN Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and ads (none vs shown). On price 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Boldmethod sells 9 one-off in-app purchases. Garmin GTN Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Boldmethod holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Boldmethod has 983 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Garmin GTN Trainer's written reviews are positive against 97% of Boldmethod's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Garmin GTN Trainer ships an update every 7 months, Boldmethod every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard9 real differences · 1 level
Garmin GTN Trainer versus Boldmethod: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterGarmin GTN TrainerBoldmethod
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.5 (10 ratings)4.9 (983 ratings) — better
Positive reviews29.8% of reviews97.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings10983 — better
Update frequencyEvery 7 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod, Mac, Apple TV — better
Requires iOS13 — better15.6
Further details — not scored
Size2.4 GB26 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGarmin DCIBoldMethod, LLC

Customer experience

Garmin GTN Trainer

All ratings6 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral50.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews94 reviews
Positive29.8%
Neutral16.0%
Negative54.3%

Boldmethod

All ratings823 ratings
Positive98.4%
Neutral0.7%
Negative0.9%
Written reviews73 reviews
Positive97.3%
Neutral2.7%
Negative0.0%

User reviews

Garmin GTN Trainer

From 10 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Great training tool
  • 👍 Authentic functionality
  • 👍 Useful for learning
  • 👍 Good for practice
  • 👍 Handy portable version

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes frequently
  • 🐛 Blank/black screen
  • 🐛 Unit does not turn on
  • 🐛 App is broken/unusable
  • 🐛 Outdated database

Boldmethod

From 983 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Great training with visual aids
  • 👍 Thorough and logically presented
  • 👍 Easy to understand and engaging instruction
  • 👍 Comprehensive and full of practical advice
  • 👍 Exceptional quality and polished presentation

Room to improve

  • 🔍 Lack of explanation for wrong answers in quizzes
  • 🐛 Occasional crashing or freezing issues

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 more
  • 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
Show 20 more
  • 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

Boldmethod

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Crashing or freezing issues
  • Compatibility problems with older devices

Requested features

2 requests
  • Provide explanations for incorrect answers in quizzes
  • Improve navigation and progress tracking through courses

In-app purchases

None

Garmin GTN Trainer

No in-app purchases

9 purchases

Boldmethod

One-time9
  • Aviation Weather Products$19.99
  • National Airspace System$19.99
  • VFR Charts$19.99
Show 6 more
  • National Airspace System$24.99
  • Aviation Weather Products$24.99
  • VFR Charts and Publications$24.99
  • Mastering Takeoffs & Landings$139.99
  • Mountain Weather$299.99
  • Instrument Procedures$499.99

Questions

Is Garmin GTN Trainer free?
Garmin GTN Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Boldmethod free?
Boldmethod is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Garmin GTN Trainer or Boldmethod?
Boldmethod is rated higher. Garmin GTN Trainer averages 3.5 out of 5 from 10 ratings, while Boldmethod averages 4.9 from 983 ratings.
Do Garmin GTN Trainer or Boldmethod have ads?
Boldmethod shows ads; Garmin GTN Trainer does not.
Which is updated more often, Garmin GTN Trainer or Boldmethod?
Garmin GTN Trainer ships an update every 7 months, and Boldmethod every 3 weeks. Most recently, Garmin GTN Trainer was updated on October 23, 2026 and Boldmethod on October 29, 2026.

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