Comparison

Approach Charts vs WhatTheFreq

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

Head to head
About

Approach Charts

Access FAA Instrument Approach charts for the US, including airport diagrams, minimums, and runway information. Get live weather and NOTAMs, and search by various criteria. The database and charts update monthly.

Highlights
  • FAA Instrument Approach charts
  • Airport diagrams and runway information
  • Live weather and NOTAMs
  • Search by airport name, city, identifier, or state
  • Quick access to favorite airports
  • Monthly automatic updates
Features
Read full description

FAA Instrument Approach charts (Terminal Procedures) for the US - Includes Airport diagrams, Minimums, STARS and DPs - Includes detailed airport and runway information for all US airports - Includes weather and NOTAMs when available - Search by airport name, city, identifier or state - Quick access to your most used airports - Always current: database and charts update automatically every month - Full screen view option Approach charts requires a subscription that will give you access to all FAA instrument approach charts for the United States, updated every 28 days, live weather and NOTAMs. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://www.bbflight.com/in-cockpit-apps-for-pilots/approach-charts/approach-charts-privacy-policy

About

WhatTheFreq

Features
Read full description

WhatTheFreq is a fast flight scratchpad for pilots who want airport frequencies, weather, runway wind context, and quick notes in one place. Enter a route and load the airports you care about in seconds. WhatTheFreq organizes key airport frequencies into clean, easy-to-scan cards so you can quickly reference ATIS, clearance, ground, tower, CTAF, UNICOM, approach, departure, and ASOS/AWOS data without bouncing between tabs or apps. The app also pulls METAR data and turns it into practical at-a-glance guidance. See flight category, wind, visibility, ceiling, and best-runway context with estimated headwind and crosswind components for available runway headings. WhatTheFreq is built for real cockpit workflow: • Load multiple airports in a route • View FAA airport frequency data in a simple card layout • Check live METAR conditions • See VFR, MVFR, IFR, and LIFR status at a glance • Compare runway wind components • Add your own temporary frequencies • Keep scratch notes for remarks, taxi routes, and clearances WhatTheFreq is designed as a lightweight pilot companion for quick reference and situational awareness. Not for primary navigation. Always verify frequencies, weather, and operational information with official sources and current procedures.

Screenshots

Approach Charts4 screens
WhatTheFreq3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WhatTheFreq at none against Approach Charts's 2. WhatTheFreq also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. Approach Charts sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. WhatTheFreq asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Approach Charts ships an update every 3 months, WhatTheFreq every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Approach Charts versus WhatTheFreq: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApproach ChartsWhatTheFreq
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.0 (5 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews0.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings5 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscription—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size37 MB3 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCandidus LLCBitt-Labs Limited Liability Company

In-app purchases

2 purchases

Approach Charts

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly subscription2 Months trial$0.991 Month
  • Annual subscription2 Months trial$9.991 Year
None

WhatTheFreq

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Approach Charts free?
Approach Charts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WhatTheFreq free?
WhatTheFreq is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Approach Charts or WhatTheFreq have ads?
Neither Approach Charts nor WhatTheFreq shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Approach Charts or WhatTheFreq?
Approach Charts ships an update every 3 months, and WhatTheFreq every 6 weeks. Most recently, Approach Charts was updated on November 6, 2026 and WhatTheFreq on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons