Comparison

SkyCharts XC EFB vs iFly EFB

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

Head to head
About

SkyCharts XC EFB

Access FAA aviation charts, approach plates, and worldwide vector charts. Features include METAR/TAF overlays, route creation, and offline chart downloads. Navigation tools provide essential flight data.

Highlights
  • FAA aviation charts and approach plates
  • Worldwide vector charts
  • METAR/TAF weather overlays
  • Route creation and modification
  • Offline chart downloads
  • Navigation calculations (GS, TRK, DIS, ETE)
  • Built-in navigation database
Features
Read full description

Current FAA aviation charts updated every 28 days, including approach plates. Now includes vector AIP worldwide vector chart. FAA raster charts have improved resolution. Includes a free 30 day trial! If you wish to continue using SkyCharts after the trial, please purchase a $3.99/month subscription. Note that buying a subscription does not unlock any additional features. See full description regarding auto-renewing subscriptions, privacy policy and EULA below. For USA/Alaska, the application has all current FAA VFR (sectional+WAC), IFR (High and Low), TAC, FLY (flip side of TAC chart). Grand Canyon charts are included in the TAC charts. Also included is a METAR/TAF overlay, and an IFR overlay to view routes on top of VFR charts. Its very easy to create and modify routes directly on the map or by drag&drop in table. Navigation has an auto-layout feature that selects fields for you in both portrait and landscape mode. DOUBLE TAP on map to view A/FD and approach plates. Map has VFR/IFR/LIFR color-coded weather METARs, with orange TAFs. SUA (Special Use Airspace) information is also available. Download charts and plates for offline usage. Features: * Fast zoom/scroll of included charts using standard gestures. * Allows download of charts for offline usage. Charts are selected on a region basis. * Navigation computes GS, TRK, DTK, DIS & ETE to final waypoint. * METAR/TAF color coded dots according to ADDS: http://www.skycharts.net/?page_id=421 * Double tap on airport to select A/FD and TPPs/IAPs to view. * Huge built-in navigation database, with all 20,000 airports, 45,000 FAA IFR/VFR navigation fixes and 2,100 FAA VOR/ADF fixes. For more information, please see the webpage at http://www.skycharts.net The monthly subscription of SkyCharts XC aviation data of $3.99 is auto-renewed. Payment will be charged to your iTunes/App Store account at confirmation of purchase. You can turn off auto-renew at any time from your iTunes/App Store account settings, but you must do so at least 24 hours before the end of the current subscription period to avoid being billed for the next cycle. No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during the active period. Any unused portion of a free trial period will be forfeited when you purchase a subscription to SkyCharts XC. The privacy policy and EULA can be found here: http://www.skycharts.net/?page_id=1465 For fast response to all questions, comments or suggestions, please email support@skycharts.net

About

iFly EFB

This app provides pilots with essential flight information in an easy-to-use format for both VFR and IFR flying. It offers advanced navigation features, real-time weather, and safety alerts to enhance situational awareness and simplify flight planning.

Highlights
  • Geo-Reference Approach Plates & Airport Diagrams
  • 3D Synthetic Vision / EFIS Mode
  • Terrain, Obstructions, Traffic, Airspace Alerts
  • ADS-B Support
  • AutoTaxi+ for Safe Taxing
  • RealView Airport Imagery
  • Complete VFR & IFR Databases and Charts
Features
Read full description

iFly EFB delivers the perfect combination of affordability, capability, and usability for both VFR and IFR Pilots. Safely and quickly get the information you need so you can focus on flying! Key reasons to try iFly EFB: 1) Ease of use in the cockpit: Our intuitive and simple interface, easy to hit buttons, simple map gestures, large fonts, and more make this the best EFB for in-flight use 2) Pilot focused company: We have staff (pilots) on the ground at our office in Texas waiting to answer your questions. Call 214-585-0444 or email support@adventurepilot.com, we're here to help 3) Price: We are one of the most competitively priced EFBs on the market 4) Capabilities: We are one of the most capable EFBs on the market! Need proof? Visit www.iFlyEFB.com/Compare Following are some of our features and benefits: •Geo-Reference Approach Plates and Airport Diagrams •3D Synthetic Vision / EFIS Mode •Terrain, Obstructions, Traffic, and Airspaces Alerts •Complete ADSB support •AutoTaxi+ for safe taxing at any airport •RealView airport imagery •RealPlan automatic VFR Planner •Auto-load approach into plan •Complete VFR and IFR databases and charts (FAA) •Sectionals •Customizable Instruments •Public & Private Airports •Winds aloft including forecasts for 36 hours •Hi/Lo-Enroute Charts •Terminal Area Charts(TAC) •World Aeronautical Charts(WAC) •Vector Mode •Weather (Pre-Flight or ADS-B Live) •Hi-res Winds Aloft Optimizing •Rapid Flight planning •Plates & Diagrams (Approach, Departure Plates, Stars, SIDs Airport Diagrams) •Instruments Panel •Day/Night Mode •Online Flight Plan Filing •Custom Instrument Layouts (24 Instruments, e.g. HSI, Vertical Profile, and AHRS) •Vertical Terrain planning and Airspace preview •Find Nearest •History •North Up / Track Up •Pinch Zooming w/ One Touch Feature •Dynamic Distance Ring •Hybrid Compass Rose w/ Nav Function •Extended Course Line •Flight Trails •Past Flights •Rubber Band route modification •Custom Aircraft icons •AutoTaxi+ •Alerts & Warnings •Button Fading (maximizes screen space) •Custom User Waypoints •Customizable Instruments •Simulator Mode

Screenshots

SkyCharts XC EFB4 screens
iFly EFB4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: iFly EFB at 90% against SkyCharts XC EFB's 32%. iFly EFB also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (365 vs 1). SkyCharts XC EFB's advantage is rating (5.0 vs 4.7). On price, 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

Both are free to download. SkyCharts XC EFB sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month and iFly EFB sells 8 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

SkyCharts XC EFB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iFly EFB has 365 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 32% of SkyCharts XC EFB's written reviews are positive against 90% of iFly EFB's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly monthly. Both last shipped on November 1, 2026.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
SkyCharts XC EFB versus iFly EFB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSkyCharts XC EFBiFly EFB
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.7 (365 ratings)
Positive reviews31.6% of reviews89.9% of reviews — better
Number of ratings1365 — better
Update frequencyMonthlyMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationSubscriptionFree with in-app purchases — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size55 MB107 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperSkyCharts LLCAdventure Pilot, LLC

Customer experience

SkyCharts XC EFB

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews19 reviews
Positive31.6%
Neutral0.0%
Negative68.4%

iFly EFB

All ratings365 ratings
Positive94.0%
Neutral2.2%
Negative3.8%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive89.9%
Neutral1.0%
Negative9.1%

Bugs and requests

SkyCharts XC EFB

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

iFly EFB

Reported bugs

8 issues
  • App freezes when navigating between menus
  • Settings not saved after app lock
  • GPS weak signal and satellite lock issues on iOS 18+
  • Terrain loading delays during scrolling
  • Compatibility issues with some external GPS devices (Dual 150)
Show 3 more
  • Crashes during early versions (now resolved)
  • iPhone X screen resolution not fully optimized
  • Glitchy behavior with some ADS-B connections

Requested features

15 requests
  • Logbook functionality
  • Sunset/sunrise times display
  • One-button night mode
  • Annotation tools for approach plates
  • Scratch pad for ATC notes
Show 10 more
  • Pilot-entered fuel stop updates (like Waze model)
  • Mo-gas location database
  • Global map coverage beyond USA and Bahamas
  • Seamless chart display
  • Landscape mode support
  • Apple Watch companion app
  • Ability to submit e-APIS details from app
  • 10-year subscription option at discounted rate
  • Better sketching tools
  • Improved FBO information database

In-app purchases

1 purchases

SkyCharts XC EFB

Subscriptions1
  • Monthly subscription to current aviation data.$3.991 Month
8 purchases

iFly EFB

One-time8
  • iPad Add-On Subscription (1 Year)$24.99
  • IFR iPad Subscription Upgrade (1 Year)$49.99
  • VFR iPad Subscription (1 Year)$79.99
Show 5 more
  • Base VFR Subscription$94.99
  • VFR/MP Subscription$124.99
  • VFR+IFR iPad Subscription (1 Year)$129.99
  • VFR/IFR Subscription$149.99
  • VFR/IFR/MP Subscription$179.99

Questions

Is SkyCharts XC EFB free?
SkyCharts XC EFB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is iFly EFB free?
iFly EFB is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, SkyCharts XC EFB or iFly EFB?
SkyCharts XC EFB is rated higher. SkyCharts XC EFB averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while iFly EFB averages 4.7 from 365 ratings.
Do SkyCharts XC EFB or iFly EFB have ads?
Neither SkyCharts XC EFB nor iFly EFB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, SkyCharts XC EFB or iFly EFB?
SkyCharts XC EFB ships an update monthly, and iFly EFB monthly. Most recently, SkyCharts XC EFB was updated on November 1, 2026 and iFly EFB on November 1, 2026.

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