Comparison

Readback vs Pilot Assistant

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

Head to head
About

Readback

Streamline your air traffic control note-taking with this utility. Quickly record clearances and updates, eliminating the need for a physical scratchpad. Maintain a comprehensive log of all your flight information for better organization.

Highlights
  • Quickly capture ATC clearances
  • Record ATIS updates
  • Digital log of all clearances
  • Printable flight log
  • Add flight number to log
Features
Read full description

Good morning, Captain! Take your ATC note-taking to the next level. This app allows you to quickly capture ATC clearances, ATIS updates, and more—no more relying on a scratchpad, which isn’t the safest practice. Even the fastest controllers won’t slow you down. Jot down everything with ease and keep a complete log of all your clearances. Whether you’re taxiing at JFK, enroute to Los Angeles, or descending into Heathrow, this app ensures you stay organized and informed. You can even print your log and add your flight number for a full flight record. A must-have tool for every phase of flight.

About

Pilot Assistant

This app helps flight simulator enthusiasts by providing tools for managing flight files, navigating with airport maps and saved routes, and using a compass for emergency planning. It's designed to assist pilots during training and improve their emergency response skills.

Highlights
  • Save important flight files and checklists
  • World airport map with route creation
  • Save and mark important radio frequencies
  • Compass with markers for emergency planning
  • Create and save custom flight routes
Features
Read full description

Great Tool for Flight Simulator Lovers! This App is designed to assist Pilots during training in Flight Simulators. The App is divided into 3 (three) screens: 1) FILES - Save the Important Files (such as CHECKLISTS) for your flight so you don’t have to look for them every time. You can add any information you need in any of the four sections (any other files that may be useful to you for quick access during the flight) 2) NAVIGATION - Here is a Map with all the Airports of the World. You can create Routes for your Flight, save important radio frequencies and mark the Airports you have passed. For your convenience, you can save your Routes. 3) COMPASS - A compass will be very necessary to work out situations of forced return to the Departure Airport. Engine problems during takeoff are a typical critical situation in which the pilot must act quickly and accurately. By placing markers on the compass, you create a plan of action for certain important stages of the flight. Train, learn and develop your emergency response skills with this Pilot Assistant!

Screenshots

Pilot Assistant4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Pilot Assistant at 5.0 against Readback's 2.3. Pilot Assistant also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 5) and device support (3 vs 1). Readback's advantage is ratings volume (8 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads 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. Readback sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Pilot Assistant asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pilot Assistant holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 2.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Readback has 8 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Readback ships an update every 6 months, Pilot Assistant every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on June 8, 2026 and August 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Readback versus Pilot Assistant: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterReadbackPilot Assistant
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.3 (8 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews57.1% of reviews—
Number of ratings8 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 6 monthsEvery 3 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS12.011.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size29 MB48 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSantiago Borja LopezRoman Maslov

Customer experience

Readback

All ratings8 ratings
Positive25.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative75.0%
Written reviews14 reviews
Positive57.1%
Neutral14.3%
Negative28.6%

Pilot Assistant

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 purchases

Readback

One-time5
  • Clearance Keypad$0.99
  • Qwerty Keypad$0.99
  • Azerty Keypad$0.99
Show 2 more
  • CDU Keypad$0.99
  • Qwertz Keypad$0.99
None

Pilot Assistant

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Readback free?
Readback is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pilot Assistant free?
Pilot Assistant is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Readback or Pilot Assistant?
Pilot Assistant is rated higher. Readback averages 2.3 out of 5 from 8 ratings, while Pilot Assistant averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do Readback or Pilot Assistant have ads?
Neither Readback nor Pilot Assistant shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Readback or Pilot Assistant?
Readback ships an update every 6 months, and Pilot Assistant every 3 months. Most recently, Readback was updated on June 8, 2026 and Pilot Assistant on August 21, 2026.

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