SkyDemon vs Holding Pattern Computer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SkyDemon
Plan and navigate VFR flights across Europe with detailed aeronautical charts, dynamic airspace clipping, and real-time hazard warnings. Features include virtual radar, automated weather briefings, and comprehensive flight logging for pilots.
- Vector aeronautical charts with dynamic airspace clipping
- Intuitive route planning and modification
- Virtual Radar for hazard and airspace visualization
- Automated weather briefings (TAF, METAR, SIGMET)
- Real-time hazard and airspace warnings
- Georeferenced airfield plates and documents
- Fuel, weight, and balance calculations
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SkyDemon is Europe's favourite software for VFR flight planning and in-flight navigation. Use this app to access your SkyDemon subscription on your iOS device, unlocking SkyDemon's powerful features while on the move. FLIGHT PLANNING FEATURES - SkyDemon vector charts are the clearest aeronautical charts you'll ever use, with dynamic airspace clipping and choice of map layers - Route planning is as simple as touching consecutive waypoints and dragging to make changes - Virtual Radar shows how your route relates to airspace, terrain, obstructions and other features - Pilot Log facility calculates headings and groundspeeds from actual wind data, and shows useful frequencies - Plates and other documents for relevant airfields are displayed automatically as you plan, and many are available georeferenced for use in flight - Intuitive pan, pinch and rotate support with no loss of map clarity or text legibility - File a VFR flightplan for your route directly to air traffic controllers - Automatic TAF, METAR and SIGMET briefing as you plan a route, with graphical decoding - Rainfall data can be overlaid on the main map, with animation, showing the trend of rainfall over time - Integration of GAFOR route forecasts for Switzerland, Austria, Slovenia and Croatia - Both narrow-route and area NOTAM briefings available, updated as you plan - Advanced NOTAM graphical interpretation and depiction on the main map - Easily print your PLOG and the output from various briefings - Warnings for airspace and other potential hazards to your flight, updated in real time - Airfield Admin Information shows useful contacts and other details for airfields featured in our charts - Forecast winds aloft are automatically retrieved for the flight time and displayed on the map - Create an advanced flight performance profile for each aircraft you use - ATS Routes mode offers an alternative chart presentation for flight along airways - Accurate fuel, weight and balance calculations including flight costings - Create an unlimited number of user-defined waypoints - Analyse your track logs for posterity - Choose between six different vector chart styles - Extensive European chart coverage as standard GPS NAVIGATION FEATURES - Intelligent warnings for approaching airspace, NOTAM, obstacles, terrain and other hazards - Virtual Radar shows a side-on projection of all approaching features and how your trajectory relates to them - Vector map automatically follows the aircraft in north up, track up or course up orientation - Clear and concise instruments show you flight statistics and help keep you on track - An HSI/ILS instrument helps you keep to your planned route and line up early for approach - Live Pilot Log shows progress through your route, ETAs, ATAs and useful frequencies based on your current position - TerrainSafe dynamically colours mountainous terrain around you to quickly identify safer areas - Direct To allows easy re-routing in a hurry by picking from a selection of nearby airfields - Approach Information shows runway diagrams, TAF, METAR, NOTAM and other airfield details useful for making an approach - Live updates of TAF and METAR while in flight, with associated alerts* - Extended runway centrelines appear automatically on the map as you near your destination airfield - Permanent display of position relative to nearest well-known waypoint, for position reporting - Easy changing of the planned route while in flight by touching and dragging Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. * Internet connection required for live weather update while in flight
Holding Pattern Computer
Master complex flight maneuvers with intuitive, turn-by-turn guidance for various entry types and holds. This app analyzes wind patterns and flight dynamics to provide real-time, adaptive directions, minimizing pilot workload and maximizing path accuracy for safe navigation.
- Turn-by-turn guidance for Direct, Teardrop, and Parallel entries
- Real-time wind correction and flight dynamics analysis
- High-Precision Entry (HPE) system
- Advanced Holding Pattern Solution (HPS)
- EFC algorithms
- Hybrid Parallel/Teardrop entry method
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Fly with Confidence: Holding Pattern App Elevate your flying skills with Version 3.0 of the Holding Pattern App, meticulously crafted by aerospace experts. Ideal for both new and experienced pilots, this app turns complex flight maneuvers into simple, intuitive instructions. Navigate the skies with precision using our turn-by-turn guidance for Direct, Teardrop, and Parallel entries and holds, ensuring perfect alignment with your flight path. Our patented technology analyzes wind patterns and flight dynamics to provide real-time, actionable directions that adapt to your needs, from bank limits to wind adjustments. Version 3.0 introduces the only High-Precision Entry (HPE) system integrated with advanced Holding Pattern Solution (HPS) and EFC algorithms. Tested in real aircraft and simulators, including a 747-400 and a 747-400 Level D simulator, this update minimizes pilot workload and maximizes path accuracy. Experience our innovative Hybrid Parallel/Teardrop entry method to manage airspace efficiently, even in strong winds. Each feature is designed with safety in mind, from individual data input screens that enhance focus to comprehensive guides and resources for in-depth learning. The new update also includes improved dialog boxes for crucial data input and seamless integration into your flight routine, ensuring you stay within FAA-regulated airspace. With the Holding Pattern App, excellence in flying isn’t just a goal—it’s your new reality. Ready to transform your flying experience? Download now and visit HoldingPattern.com for more information.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is price: SkyDemon at Free against Holding Pattern Computer's $11.99. SkyDemon also leads on update cadence (monthly vs every 11 months) and ratings volume (546 vs 176). Holding Pattern Computer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 1). On rating, review sentiment, ads and device support 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
SkyDemon is free to download; Holding Pattern Computer costs $11.99 up front. SkyDemon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Holding Pattern Computer asks for nothing beyond the download.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.8 for SkyDemon against 4.9 for Holding Pattern Computer. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 546 and 176 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 92% of SkyDemon's written reviews are positive against 91% of Holding Pattern Computer's.
SkyDemon ships an update monthly, Holding Pattern Computer every 11 months. The most recent releases landed on September 23, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SkyDemon | Holding Pattern Computer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free — better | $11.99 |
| Rating | 4.8 (546 ratings) | 4.9 (176 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 92.3% of reviews — better | 90.9% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 546 — better | 176 |
| Update frequency | Monthly — better | Every 11 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.2 — better | 12.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 52 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Divelements Limited | Aviation Mobile Apps, LLC. |
Customer experience
SkyDemon
Holding Pattern Computer
Bugs and requests
SkyDemon
Reported bugs
2 issues- Incompatible with latest iPad OS
- Crashes when trying to download all charts
Requested features
6 requests- Print PLOG or route on iPad
- Improved logbook functionality
- Support for official CAA/NATS charts
- Synthetic vision
- IFR flight plan filing to Eurocontrol
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- Integration with Jeppesen IFR charts
Holding Pattern Computer
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
SkyDemon
- SkyDemon iOS Subscription$199.99
Holding Pattern Computer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SkyDemon free?
Is Holding Pattern Computer free?
Which has better reviews, SkyDemon or Holding Pattern Computer?
Do SkyDemon or Holding Pattern Computer have ads?
Which is updated more often, SkyDemon or Holding Pattern Computer?
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