Simionic G1000 (PFD) vs xWind
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- 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
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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 The navigation database included in this app may be outdated and very possible to be different from what it is in real life.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
xWind
This tool helps pilots quickly assess wind conditions relative to aircraft limitations. It displays essential wind data, including headwind, crosswind, and tailwind components, along with runway course and wind limits on a single screen for easy reference during flight.
- Headwind, crosswind, and tailwind calculation
- Displays current wind direction and speed
- Shows runway course
- Indicates applied wind limits
- Identifies 'forbidden' wind angles
- Provides maximum wind speed table
- Adjustable wind and runway settings
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xWind is an easy to use tool to assist pilots in evaluating wind conditions with respect to head, cross and tailwind limitations. Once setup, the xWind app provides all information in one single screen, requiring minimal user interaction during high workload phases of flight, displaying: - Current wind direction and speed - Runway course - Cross and head or tailwind components - Currently applied wind limits - 'Forbidden' wind angles based on the current wind speed - Maximum wind speed table based on current wind limits Reference wind, runway course, as well as wind limits, can all be adjusted on the main screen by either dragging the wind arrow, course rose or wind limit lines. A settings button at the bottom presents a popup screen where both the units for wind speed (Kts or Mps) and the default values for wind limits can be specified. In addition to the general setting for wind speed units, the user can select the alternative units for only the current wind, wind components and maximum winds table by double tapping the wind display at the top of the main screen. When operating from a Kts country into Mps territory, this option allows to set the current wind and see the maximum allowed winds in Mps, based on limits that are still set in Kts. Or vice versa.... xWinds supports iOS darkmode.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: xWind at 4.6 against Simionic G1000 (PFD)'s 3.5. xWind also leads on price ($0.99 vs $9.99) and in-app purchases (none vs 3). Simionic G1000 (PFD)'s advantage is iOS requirement (9.0 vs 12.0). On 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
Simionic G1000 (PFD) costs $9.99 and xWind $0.99 up front. Simionic G1000 (PFD) sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. xWind asks for nothing beyond the download.
xWind holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 3.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 134 and 550 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Simionic G1000 (PFD)'s written reviews are positive against 75% of xWind's.
Simionic G1000 (PFD) ships an update every 3 months, xWind fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on September 15, 2026 and September 20, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Simionic G1000 (PFD) | xWind |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $9.99 | $0.99 — better |
| Rating | 3.5 (134 ratings) | 4.6 (550 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 51.6% of reviews | 75.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 134 | 550 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 3 months | Fortnightly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPad, Mac | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 9.0 — better | 12.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 1.9 GB | 13 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | 晨 李 | Jan Bloemendaal |
Customer experience
Simionic G1000 (PFD)
xWind
User reviews
Simionic G1000 (PFD)
From 134 App Store ratingsWhat 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
xWind
From 550 App Store ratingsWhat we love
- 👍 Easy to use and read
- 👍 Works well for its intended purpose
- 👍 Good interface
- 👍 Remembers settings
- 👍 Helpful for visualizing wind
Room to improve
- 🤔 Numbers are unlabeled and ambiguous
- 🤔 Not intuitive
- 🤔 Difficult to understand
- 🤔 Instructions could be clearer
- 🤔 Old version was better
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
xWind
Reported bugs
1 issue- Speed toggle doesn't work, always shows MPS
Requested features
3 requests- Incorporate gust factors
- 3 customizable buttons for quick limit settings
- Different colored concentric rings inside the red limit ring
In-app purchases
Simionic G1000 (PFD)
- Beechcraft Baron G58$1.99
- Aircraft Customization$1.99
- Synthetic Vision$5.99
xWind
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Simionic G1000 (PFD) free?
Is xWind free?
Which has better reviews, Simionic G1000 (PFD) or xWind?
Do Simionic G1000 (PFD) or xWind have ads?
Which is updated more often, Simionic G1000 (PFD) or xWind?
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