# FlightStats vs Planes Live

The clearest difference is review sentiment: FlightStats at 73% against Planes Live's 34%. FlightStats also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 16) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). Planes Live's advantage is chart position (#9 vs unranked) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). On price, ratings volume, ads and monetization model there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Planes Live sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. FlightStats asks for nothing beyond the download.

FlightStats holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 79K and 93K respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 73% of FlightStats's written reviews are positive against 34% of Planes Live's.

FlightStats ships an update every 2 months, Planes Live every 3 weeks. Both last shipped on October 17, 2026.

## The numbers

| Metric | FlightStats | Planes Live |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.8 (79K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightstats/id572700574/reviews)** | [4.6 (93K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planes-live-flight-tracker/id1097815000/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 79K | **93K** |
| Positive reviews | **72.8% of reviews** | 33.8% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | Yes |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | — | **#9** |
| Size | 26 MB | 262 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 13.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 12+ |
| Developer | [LNRS Data Services Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/474448727) | [Mosaic S.r.l.](https://appshunter.io/developer/570748343) |

## What reviewers say

### FlightStats

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/flightstats/id572700574)

Track flights in real-time with live status updates and airport information. Monitor flights globally, view essential details like delays and gates, and receive timely alerts. Integrates with Siri Shortcuts and 3D Touch for quick access to flight data.

**Highlights:** Worldwide flight status tracking, Interactive flight tracker map, Departure and arrival boards, Siri Shortcuts integration, Flight timeline and details, Today widget for quick access

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases:** none

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate real-time flight tracking
- 👍 Easy to use and navigate
- 🚀 Provides up-to-date flight status information
- 👍 Useful for tracking family and friends' flights
- 👍 Reliable and dependable app

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate or delayed flight information
- 🐛 Inability to track flights more than a few days in advance
- 🔍 Confusing or cluttered interface
- 🔍 Lack of customization options
- 💸 Presence of ads

**Reported bugs**

- Flight information not updating in real-time
- Inability to search for certain airports or airlines
- Date selection issues reverting to current date
- Inconsistent or unreliable data across different devices

**Requested features**

- Option to set phone alarms based on flight arrival times
- Ability to track flights further in advance
- Integration with other travel apps or services
- Improved date selection and calendar functionality
- Premium version with ad-free experience


### Planes Live

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/planes-live-flight-tracker/id1097815000)

**Currently charting:** #9 Top Grossing · Travel (US App Store)

Track flights globally in real-time with detailed aircraft information, schedules, and airport data. Get instant alerts for flight status changes and find planes near you. Ideal for aviation enthusiasts and travelers.

**Highlights:** Global flight tracking, Real-time flight status alerts, Detailed aircraft information, Airport departure/arrival schedules, Weather forecasts, Nearby planes and airports

**Features:** Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (10)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Planes Live Premium 1 Month | $1.99 | per month |
| Weekly with Free Trial | $5.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $7.99 | per 7 days |
| Planes Live Premium 1 Month | $9.99 | per month |
| Planes Live Premium | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Flight Tracker & Weather Radar | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly with Free Trial | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Sub with Free Trial | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Weekly Subscription | $9.99 | per 7 days |
| Planes Live Premium 1 Month | $17.95 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Accurate tracking
- 🌟 Informative and interesting
- 👍 Great app for plane enthusiasts
- ✈️ Useful for tracking family/friends' flights

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Inaccurate flight information
- 🔍 Difficult to find/track specific flights
- 💰 Aggressive monetization/subscription model
- 📢 Too many ads in free version
- 🔌 High battery consumption

**Reported bugs**

- Flights disappearing from map
- Subscription issues and inability to cancel
- Crashes and freezes on launch

**Requested features**

- Improved map view with better plane tracking
- More detailed flight information (e.g. plane model, altitude, speed)
- Option to track multiple flights simultaneously
- Ability to customize notifications and alerts


## Frequently asked questions

### Is FlightStats free?

FlightStats is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is Planes Live free?

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

### Which has better reviews, FlightStats or Planes Live?

FlightStats is rated higher. FlightStats averages 4.8 out of 5 from 79K ratings, while Planes Live averages 4.6 from 93K ratings.

### Do FlightStats or Planes Live have ads?

Both FlightStats and Planes Live show ads.

### Which is updated more often, FlightStats or Planes Live?

FlightStats ships an update every 2 months, and Planes Live every 3 weeks. Most recently, FlightStats was updated on October 17, 2026 and Planes Live on October 17, 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.*