# SkyDemon vs Xavion

The clearest difference is monetization model: Xavion at free with in-app purchases against SkyDemon's subscription. Xavion also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly). SkyDemon's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.3) and review sentiment (92% vs 70%). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. SkyDemon sells 1 one-off in-app purchase and Xavion sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

SkyDemon holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: SkyDemon has 548 ratings behind it against 100, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 92% of SkyDemon's written reviews are positive against 70% of Xavion's.

SkyDemon ships an update monthly, Xavion every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | SkyDemon | Xavion |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (548 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skydemon/id497184081/reviews)** | [4.3 (100 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xavion/id574203838/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **548** | 100 |
| Positive reviews | **92.3% of reviews** | 69.5% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Subscription | **Free with in-app purchases** |
| Size | 53 MB | 3.5 GB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 15.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Divelements Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/497184084) | [X-Avionics, LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/574203841) |

## What reviewers say

### SkyDemon

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/skydemon/id497184081)

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.

**Highlights:** 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

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| SkyDemon iOS Subscription | $199.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fantastic
- 🚀 Best software ever used
- 🚀 Essential for flying
- 🚀 Excellent app
- 🚀 Unbeatable in all respects

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Updates can be slow
- 💰 Expensive subscription
- 🔒 Limited to 2 devices

**Reported bugs**

- Incompatible with latest iPad OS
- Crashes when trying to download all charts

**Requested features**

- Print PLOG or route on iPad
- Improved logbook functionality
- Support for official CAA/NATS charts
- Synthetic vision
- IFR flight plan filing to Eurocontrol


### Xavion

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/xavion/id574203838)

This app provides critical in-flight guidance for engine failures, calculating safe glide routes to airports. It also offers 3D instrument approaches, tracks aircraft and their wake turbulence, and displays real-time weather data. Additionally, it assists with pre-flight planning, weight and balance calculations, and takeoff performance analysis.

**Highlights:** Engine-out glide path calculation, 3D instrument approaches, ADS-B aircraft and wake turbulence tracking, Real-time ADS-B weather display, Weight and balance calculations, Takeoff distance estimation, Enroute time and fuel burn estimation

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Airport, Chart, and Plate Data | $9.99 | per month |
| Airport, Chart, and Plate Data | $99.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 💡 Revolutionary emergency glide guidance to nearest airport
- 🛡️ Life-saving safety feature for engine-out scenarios
- 📊 Accurate synthetic vision and attitude indicator
- 🎯 Excellent integration with X-Plane simulator
- ⚖️ Comprehensive weight and balance calculations

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Expensive subscription model after initial purchase
- 🌍 Limited to USA only (no EU/UK/Australia support)
- 📱 Not compatible with newer iPhones (notch/no home button)
- 📦 Extremely large app size (3.6GB+ updates)
- 🧩 Complex and confusing user interface

**Reported bugs**

- App crashes when adding new airports
- Flight recording stops during touch-and-go landings
- Runway guidance sometimes hidden by terrain or trees
- Approach procedure turn opposite of plate indication
- App freezes entire iPad when trial period expires

**Requested features**

- Support for EU, UK, and international regions
- Canadian VFR charts and airport data
- iPhone X and newer device compatibility
- Custom waypoint addition for VFR flight plans
- Multiple flight plan legs support


## Frequently asked questions

### Is SkyDemon free?

SkyDemon is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Xavion free?

Xavion is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, SkyDemon or Xavion?

SkyDemon is rated higher. SkyDemon averages 4.8 out of 5 from 548 ratings, while Xavion averages 4.3 from 100 ratings.

### Do SkyDemon or Xavion have ads?

Neither SkyDemon nor Xavion shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, SkyDemon or Xavion?

SkyDemon ships an update monthly, and Xavion every 4 days. Most recently, SkyDemon was updated on October 29, 2026 and Xavion on October 20, 2026.

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