Comparison

Simionic G1000 (PFD) vs PilotPal

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

Head to head
About

Simionic G1000 (PFD)

This app simulates the primary flight display (PFD) of the Garmin G1000 avionics system. It offers realistic functionality for navigation, flight planning, and autopilot control, making it ideal for aviation enthusiasts and pilots for practice and fun.

Highlights
  • Simulates Garmin G1000 PFD
  • Navigation and flight plan functionality
  • Autopilot and flight director modes
  • Control surface implementation via device tilt
  • Global navigation database
  • Standalone trainer or instrument for flight simulators
Read full description

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xePnu3MsBQ IMPORTANT NOTICE: 1. This app emulates G1000 PFD functionalities only. It does not include MFD functionalities. To obtain MFD functionalities, download the MFD app from AppStore which can co-operate with this app(PFD) via wifi connection. Download address of PFD app: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id827464105?mt=8 2. This app is for practice only. The navigation database included in this app may be outdated and very possible to be different from what it is in real life. Disclaimer: -Simionic and the seller are not affiliated with Garmin, -The app is not provided, approved, endorsed, or otherwise supported by Garmin. Garmin G1000 is an integrated avionic system used in many small aircrafts. This simulator simulates a primary flight display(PFD) which is used on Cessna 182T, 172S, 172R, 206H and Beechcraft Baron G58. It can also be configured to adapt piston, turboprop and jet engines. Most of the useful functionalities has been implemented in this simulator, such as navigation, inset map, flight plan, flight director, and autopilot. Besides of that, nearly every nob/button is functioning just like they were on the real G1000. G1000 is a highly integrated system, it is very powerful and also very complicated. It is recommended that you have a real G1000 user guide from Garmin. This simulator can be used by aviation enthusiasts as well as pilots to perform either an IFR training or just fly for fun. There is a global navigation database included in this simulator, and you can fly any where in the world. This simulator supports FSX, Prepar3D, MSFS2020, X-Plane and InfiniteFlight. You can use this simulator either as a stand alone trainer or as an instrument for FSX, Prepar3D, X-Plane or InfiniteFlight. You need G1000Bridge(X) to make this simulator working with FSX, Prepar3D, MSFS2020 or X-Plane. Please visit http://www.simionic.net to download G1000Bridge(X). Detail list of functionalities: *Control surface implementation +Pitch and bank are controlled by tilting the device using built-in accelerometer. +Throttle and rudder are controlled by touching the screen. *Flight director modes implementation +Pitch modes -Pitch Hold: Yes -Selected Altitude Capture: Yes -Altitude Hold: Yes -Vertical Speed: Yes -Flight Level Change: Yes -Vertical Path Tracking: Yes -VNV Target Altitude Capture: Yes -Glidepath: Yes -Glideslope: Yes -Go Around: Yes +Roll modes -Roll Hold: Yes -Heading Select: Yes -Navigation: Yes -Backcourse: Yes -Approach: Yes -Go Around: Yes *Autopilot: Yes *Flight plan +Store Flight Plan: Yes(only when MFD connected) +Invert Flight Plan: Yes +Closest Point Of FPL: No +Parallel Track: Yes +Create ATK Offset Waypoint: Yes +Direct-to: Yes, with vertical constraints and offset +Terminal Procedures: Yes +User defined holding patterns: Yes *Navigation database: Global, but may not as detailed or updated as they are in the real G1000. *Inset map: Zoom in/out, browsing, partly de-clutter, topo and terrain are implemented, all the navaids are displayed properly. No traffic, storm scope, NEXRAD radar information and XM information. *Other functionalities +Synthetic Vision as an In-App-Purchase item +All the navaids operations(VOR/ILS course select, ADF/VOR/Waypoint bearing indicator, CDI indicator, etc) +All the PFD settings(Wind, Bearing1/2, HSI format, Alt unit, Standard baro, etc) +DME source select: Yes +Transponder settings: Yes +Timer and references(V speeds and minimums): Yes +Advisory and alerts: Yes +ADF dip: Yes +Magnetic variation: automatic *Flight simulator connection +FSX: Yes +Prepar3D: Yes +MSFS2020: Yes +X-Plane: Yes +Infinite Flight: Yes, requires 19.4 and later *MFD connection: Via wifi

About

PilotPal

This app provides FAA aviation airport charts and facility directories for easy flight planning. Access airport diagrams, frequencies, elevation, and helipad information offline. Stay updated with monthly chart revisions and quickly find nearby or favorite airports.

Highlights
  • Offline charts
  • Airport Facility Directories
  • Airport Diagrams
  • Airport Information (Maps, Frequencies, Elevation, Helipads)
  • Monthly updated FAA charts
  • Nearby and favorite airports
  • Airport search
Features
Read full description

PilotPal is the easiest way to flight plan. PilotPal brings the FAA airport facility directory and Airport Diagrams to your pocket. Features: • Offline Charts: Easily download airports or entire regions for offline use • Airport Facility Directories • Airport Diagrams • Weather via METAR and TAF • Wind maps • Airport Information including: • Maps • Frequencies • Elevation • Helipads • Updated FAA charts every month so you're always up to date. • Nearby airports: Easily find airports around you • Favorite airports: Save your favorites for quick access • Airport search: Easily find any airport or helipad • Dark mode • iPad support Built by real pilots with a love for aviation Feedback or issues: tinybyteapps@gmail.com Legal: Airport facility directories and airport diagrams are provided by the FAA. Always consult appropriate and available sources to prepare for your flight. Our privacy policy is available at: https://pilotpal-1139.firebaseapp.com/privacypolicy.htm Our terms of service is available at: https://pilotpal-1139.firebaseapp.com/termsofuse.html

Screenshots

PilotPal4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: PilotPal at Free against Simionic G1000 (PFD)'s $9.99. PilotPal also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (663 vs 134). Simionic G1000 (PFD)'s advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 18.0). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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

PilotPal is free to download; Simionic G1000 (PFD) costs $9.99 up front. Simionic G1000 (PFD) sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and PilotPal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

PilotPal holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 134 and 663 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Simionic G1000 (PFD)'s written reviews are positive against 55% of PilotPal's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 28, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
Simionic G1000 (PFD) versus PilotPal: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimionic G1000 (PFD)PilotPal
Price$9.99Free — better
Rating3.5 (134 ratings)4.7 (663 ratings) — better
Positive reviews51.6% of reviews55.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings134663 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPad, MaciPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS9.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size1.9 GB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
Developer晨 李Tinybyte Apps LLC

Customer experience

Simionic G1000 (PFD)

All ratings134 ratings
Positive59.0%
Neutral8.2%
Negative32.8%
Written reviews126 reviews
Positive51.6%
Neutral14.3%
Negative34.1%

PilotPal

All ratings652 ratings
Positive94.2%
Neutral2.8%
Negative3.1%
Written reviews20 reviews
Positive55.0%
Neutral5.0%
Negative40.0%

User reviews

Simionic G1000 (PFD)

From 134 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fantastic for learning IFR ops
  • 👍 Great for practicing autopilot
  • 👍 Useful for learning the G1000
  • 👍 Works well with simulators
  • 👍 Realistic G1000 implementation

Room to improve

  • 🐛 App crashes during approaches
  • 🐛 Glitchy and unstable behavior
  • 🐛 Difficult to use knobs and controls
  • 🐛 Inaccurate CDI and navigation
  • 🐛 Missing key G1000 functionality

PilotPal

From 663 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 👍 Clean and simple user interface
  • 🚀 Quick access to airport information
  • 📱 Effective airport directory functionality
  • ⭐ Excellent customer support
  • 🎯 Minimalist design with focused mission

Room to improve

  • 💰 Paywall-locked features behind subscription
  • 🔒 Subscription access issues and bugs
  • 📊 Incomplete airport chart coverage
  • ❌ Missing chart supplement sections
  • 🚫 Difficult to unsubscribe

Bugs and requests

Simionic G1000 (PFD)

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • App crashes during approaches
  • Altitude and heading bugs not working correctly
  • FMS and flight plan integration issues
  • Autopilot and VNAV not functioning as expected
  • Frequent disconnects from flight simulators

Requested features

5 requests
  • Add support for hPa altimeter settings
  • Improve flight plan integration with simulators
  • Add VNAV and vertical profile functionality
  • Provide more comprehensive instructions and documentation
  • Expand compatibility to more aircraft and simulators

PilotPal

Reported bugs

5 issues
  • Subscription verification loop - shows already subscribed but denies access
  • Airport diagrams not displaying despite active subscription
  • App stopped working after February update
  • General app functionality failures
  • Missing settings/preferences menu

Requested features

6 requests
  • Airport diagram printing functionality
  • Ability to sort favorites tab
  • Front and back page information inclusion
  • Improved search functionality for VOR locations
  • Legend/index documentation
Show 1 more
  • Comprehensive chart supplement data (VFR corridors, visual reporting points, VOR test locations)

In-app purchases

3 purchases

Simionic G1000 (PFD)

One-time3
  • Beechcraft Baron G58$1.99
  • Aircraft Customization$1.99
  • Synthetic Vision$5.99
3 purchases

PilotPal

Subscriptions3
  • Airport Diagrams$0.991 Month
  • PilotPal Monthly3 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • PilotPal Pro3 Days trial$19.991 Year

Questions

Is Simionic G1000 (PFD) free?
Simionic G1000 (PFD) costs $9.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Is PilotPal free?
PilotPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Simionic G1000 (PFD) or PilotPal?
PilotPal is rated higher. Simionic G1000 (PFD) averages 3.5 out of 5 from 134 ratings, while PilotPal averages 4.7 from 663 ratings.
Do Simionic G1000 (PFD) or PilotPal have ads?
Neither Simionic G1000 (PFD) nor PilotPal shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simionic G1000 (PFD) or PilotPal?
Simionic G1000 (PFD) ships an update every 3 months, and PilotPal every 3 months. Most recently, Simionic G1000 (PFD) was updated on September 28, 2026 and PilotPal on September 22, 2026.

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