SkyCharts XC EFB vs CaptainVFR
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
SkyCharts XC EFB
Access FAA aviation charts and approach plates updated regularly. This app provides international airport data and allows for route creation and modification directly on the map. Download charts for offline use and view weather overlays.
- Updated FAA aviation charts
- Approach plates and geo plates
- International airport data
- Route creation and modification
- Offline chart downloads
- METAR/TAF weather overlays
- Special Use Airspace information
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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
CaptainVFR
This app provides comprehensive flight planning and navigation tools for VFR pilots. It offers interactive aviation maps, flight planning assistance, airport data, and essential pilot tools for safe and efficient visual flight rules operations.
- Interactive aviation maps with offline support
- Intuitive flight planning with route calculations
- Comprehensive airport database with weather and NOTAMs
- Essential pilot tools including E6B computer
- Real-time GPS tracking and moving map
- Offline capability for core navigation
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Captain VFR - Professional Flight Planning & Navigation Transform your VFR flying experience with Captain VFR, the comprehensive flight planning and navigation app designed by pilots, for pilots. Whether you're a student pilot or seasoned aviator, Captain VFR provides all the tools you need for safe and efficient visual flight rules operations. KEY FEATURES Interactive Aviation Maps • High-resolution worldwide coverage with offline support • Real-time GPS tracking with moving map display • Customizable map layers including airspaces, navaids, and reporting points • Smooth performance optimized for all devices Flight Planning Made Simple • Intuitive drag-and-drop waypoint management • Automatic route calculations with distance, time, and fuel estimates • Multiple aircraft profiles with performance data • Save and organize unlimited flight plans Comprehensive Airport Database • Detailed information for thousands of airports worldwide • Runway data, frequencies, and elevation details • Real-time METAR/TAF weather with color-coded flight categories • NOTAM information for US and European airports Essential Pilot Tools • Weight and balance calculator with graphical CG display • Complete E6B flight computer functions • Fuel consumption and endurance calculations • Wind correction and crosswind components • Density altitude calculator • Unit conversions for all aviation measurements Navigation & Tracking • HSI-style compass with GPS track • Real-time altitude and speed display • Flight path recording with altitude profile • Estimated time of arrival calculations • Nearest airport finder for emergencies Professional Features • Dark mode for night flying • Comprehensive checklist management • Aircraft performance profiles • Pilot logbook integration ready • Weather overlay with METAR symbols • Airspace alerts and information Offline Capability • Download maps for offline use • No internet required for core navigation features • Cached weather and airport data • Perfect for remote area flying Why Pilots Choose Captain VFR: • Reliable - Trusted by thousands of pilots worldwide • Intuitive - Clean interface designed for cockpit use • Comprehensive - Everything you need in one app • Accurate - Regular database updates • Safe - Built with flight safety as top priority Perfect For: • Student pilots learning navigation • Private pilots planning cross-countries• Flight instructors teaching VFR procedures • Commercial pilots flying VFR legs • Anyone passionate about general aviation Important Notice: Captain VFR is designed as a supplementary tool for VFR flight planning and situational awareness. Always use official charts and follow regulations for actual navigation. Not for use as primary navigation. Regular Updates Include: • New features based on pilot feedback • Updated airport and navaid databases • Performance improvements • Enhanced weather integration • Bug fixes and stability improvements Join the Captain VFR community and experience the difference a pilot-centric app makes. Download now and take your first flight plan for free! Questions or suggestions? We love hearing from pilots! Contact us through the app or visit our support page. Safe flying!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CaptainVFR at none against SkyCharts XC EFB's 1. CaptainVFR also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs monthly) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On price, 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
Both are free to download. SkyCharts XC EFB sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $3.99 per month. CaptainVFR asks for nothing beyond the download.
SkyCharts XC EFB ships an update monthly, CaptainVFR every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | SkyCharts XC EFB | CaptainVFR |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 31.6% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Monthly | Every 4 days — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 | 12.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 55 MB | 81 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | SkyCharts LLC | Quality Unit s.r.o. |
Customer experience
SkyCharts XC EFB
CaptainVFR
In-app purchases
SkyCharts XC EFB
- Monthly subscription to current aviation data.$3.991 Month
CaptainVFR
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is SkyCharts XC EFB free?
Is CaptainVFR free?
Do SkyCharts XC EFB or CaptainVFR have ads?
Which is updated more often, SkyCharts XC EFB or CaptainVFR?
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