Comparison

AHRS Utility vs iBFDmonochrome

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

Head to head
About

AHRS Utility

This app configures and displays data from Levil AHRS devices for pilots. It presents attitude, heading, and air data graphically and numerically, but is not a primary flight display.

Highlights
  • Configure Levil devices
  • Display AHRS data graphically
  • Display AHRS data numerically
  • View air data (model dependent)
  • View engine data (compatible systems)
Read full description

AHRS utility is a free application designed to configure Levil devices before flight and to display Levil's AHRS data graphically and numerically. This application is only compatible with the Attitude and Heading Reference System from Levil Technology, model AHRS G mini, iLevil series and BOM series. Users must be connected to the wireless network of the Levil AHRS. The application will NOT display airplane attitude based on the internal gyros of your iPad/iPhone or GPS data. AIR DATA: Air data is only available on the AW model or BOM. If you have an iLevil SW, Air data will be derived from the internal GPS on the iLevil. Engine: You must have a compatible engine information system connected to the iLevil to display this information. This application is not meant to be used as a Primary Flight Display or for IFR flight.

About

iBFDmonochrome

This app provides pilots with a backup flight display, including an attitude indicator, heading indicator, and altimeter. It can also function as a flight data and cockpit voice recorder, offering essential information in emergencies when primary instruments fail.

Highlights
  • Attitude Indicator
  • Heading Indicator
  • Altimeter
  • Flight Data Recorder (FDR)
  • Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)
  • Map with airport information
  • Multiple display color modes
Features
Read full description

integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) Real pilots understand the risk of a primary flight instrument failure while flying. In certain situations the loss of the Attitude Indicator is perhaps the greatest risk a pilot can face. This iPhone based integrated Backup Flight Display (iBFD) is an inexpensive, easy to operate tool intended to reduce risk and improve safety if an instrument fails and no other backup is available. This application consists of an Attitude Indicator, Heading Indicator, Altimeter, Vertical Speed Indicator, speed Indicator, Side Slip Indicator, and Clock. Furthermore, in the portrait mode of the iPad, a Map is displayed below the Attitude Indicator, and when you enter an airport code such as KFTW, the direction and distance to the airport are displayed. It can also be used as Flight Data Recorder(FDR) and Cockpit Voice Recorder(CVR). This function is activated by touching the red circle in the upper left corner. Recording is stopped by touching the red circle again or it will be stopped automatically when large G is applied. iBFD uses the iPhone's 3 axis Gyro sensor as its primary sensor. Pitch and Roll angles are calculated using the Gyro data and the same algorithm as strap down Inertial Reference Systems (IRS). GPS and Accelerometer are used with Kalman filter as sensor fusion to prevent gyro drift and improve Accuracy. The iBFD performs noticeably better than other comparable applications on the market. Unfortunately the iBFD doesn't have FAA certification. It doesn't have enough reliability for use as Primary Flight Instruments, and neither our software nor your iPhone have been subjected to rigorous certification tests. And the accuracy of Map and Airport Information is not guaranteed. All information displayed on the iBFD is for reference only! Therefore, we are not responsible for any death, injury or damage as a result of using the iBFD. USE THIS DEVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK! Nevertheless, during an In Flight Emergency having an iBFD is far better than having no instrument at all. Particularly if in a limited visibility situation with an inoperative Attitude Indicator. Engine vibration can affect accuracy of the iBFD, so special consideration must be given to mounting the iPhone to the cockpit instrument panel or glare shield. Other features (1) There are three display color modes; Day, Night or NVC. (2) Altitude/Speed is selectable in units of feet/knots, feet/MPH or meter/kilometers per hour. (3) Airspeed is calculated using GPS Speed, Wind Direction, and Wind Velocity. Wind Direction and Velocity are obtained via ATIS and set manually. (4) Pitch angle zero can be adjusted manually by touching center of the display or slider setting. (5) Magnetic Heading or True Heading, and GPS or M.S.(Magnetic Sensor) are selectable. (6) Settings Window for entering parameters and user preferences. (7) Battery Icon indication. (8) Recorded data can be accessed by Files. (9) Magnetic Heading can be adjusted with the slider. (10) Function to correct roll angle. However, when performing this function, the iPhone needs to be correctly placed horizontally. (11) Local time or UTC is selectable. (12) GPS Altimeter and Barometric Altimeter. (13) Roll indicator (Sky pointer or Ground pointer) is selectable. Note: Initial roll and pitch angle are calculated using the accelerometer at the time of alignment (same as real IRS). Therefore, if acceleration due to motion is applied during alignment, an angle error will occur. However, such initial angle error automatically decreases with time and disappears after a few minutes in case of level flight.

Screenshots

AHRS Utility2 screens
iBFDmonochrome1 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: iBFDmonochrome at 4.4 against AHRS Utility's 3.0. iBFDmonochrome also leads on review sentiment (89% vs 50%) and ratings volume (9 vs 3). AHRS Utility's advantage is update cadence (every 2 months vs every 11 months) and iOS requirement (9.0 vs 13.0). On price, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

iBFDmonochrome holds the better App Store score, 4.4 against 3.0. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 3 and 9 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of AHRS Utility's written reviews are positive against 89% of iBFDmonochrome's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

AHRS Utility ships an update every 2 months, iBFDmonochrome every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
AHRS Utility versus iBFDmonochrome: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAHRS UtilityiBFDmonochrome
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.0 (3 ratings)4.4 (9 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews88.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings39 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 months — betterEvery 11 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS9.0 — better13.0
Further details — not scored
Size17 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperLevil TechnologyTatsuo Saeki

Customer experience

AHRS Utility

All ratings3 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral33.3%
Negative33.3%
Written reviews10 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative40.0%

iBFDmonochrome

All ratings8 ratings
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%
Written reviews9 reviews
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%

In-app purchases

None

AHRS Utility

No in-app purchases

None

iBFDmonochrome

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AHRS Utility free?
AHRS Utility is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iBFDmonochrome free?
iBFDmonochrome is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, AHRS Utility or iBFDmonochrome?
iBFDmonochrome is rated higher. AHRS Utility averages 3.0 out of 5 from 3 ratings, while iBFDmonochrome averages 4.4 from 9 ratings.
Do AHRS Utility or iBFDmonochrome have ads?
Neither AHRS Utility nor iBFDmonochrome shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AHRS Utility or iBFDmonochrome?
AHRS Utility ships an update every 2 months, and iBFDmonochrome every 11 months. Most recently, AHRS Utility was updated on November 1, 2026 and iBFDmonochrome on November 2, 2026.

Other comparisons