Comparison

IFR Flight Simulator vs ATPL Practice Canada

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

Head to head
About

IFR Flight Simulator

This aviation simulator helps pilots master IFR procedures and prepare for instrument ratings. Practice holdings, intercepts, and approaches with realistic flight simulation and navigation tools on your phone. Ideal for student and experienced pilots seeking convenient, effective training.

Highlights
  • Realistic aviation training
  • Worldwide flight navigation database
  • Comprehensive training modes
  • Real-time flight simulator
  • Integrated autopilot
  • Optimal holding entry path overlay
Features
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Practice holdings, radial intercepts, and DME arcs on your phone before your next simulator session. Calculate the procedure, fly it with live instruments, and review your track in the debrief. IFR Flight Simulator combines focused IFR procedure training with real-time flight simulation, worldwide navigation data, and a choice of glass cockpit or classic gauges. What you can practice: • Holding Trainer: Randomized holding situations. Determine the entry, calculate the wind correction angles, then fly the pattern. • Intercept Trainer: Inbound and outbound radial intercepts as well as QDM/QDR intercepts. • DME Arc Trainer: Fly DME arcs and calculate the angle of lead to turn onto the inbound course at the right moment. • Approaches: Set up a final intercept, a position in the pattern (downwind, base, or final), or a full approach at any airport, including ILS. • IFR mental math: Practice entries, wind correction angles, and lead points until the calculations become automatic. Worldwide navigation database: • Navigation data from a recent AIRAC cycle, with worldwide coverage: 13,000+ airports and 10,000+ VORs, NDBs, and other navaids. • Train with real airports and navaids instead of generic exercise locations. Real-time flight simulator: • Modern glass cockpit (PFD and ND) or classic gauges. • Autopilot with rotary controls for heading, altitude, and speed, or fly manually by tilting your device. • Fast-forward mode to repeat procedures efficiently. • Live Map: your position and flight path in real time. • Live Needle Overlay: watch where the HSI and CDI needles actually point as they move with the aircraft symbol across the map. • Optimal Holding Entry Path Overlay: compare your flown track with the wind-corrected entry and holding pattern. • Flight Log with Debrief: every flight is recorded. Replay the track and the needle movement, or resume the flight later. Built for instrument rating training, proficiency practice, and simulator assessments. "I am currently training for my Instrument Rating, and my FI recommended this app to me. I didn't think such a high quality, useful training tool was possible as an app. Incredible for VOR bearings, practicing holds and command headings." App Store review by Sa4mmy Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com. Disclaimer: This application is for training and educational purposes only. It must not be used for real-world flight planning or in-flight decision-making. While the developer strives to provide information and calculations that are as accurate and up-to-date as reasonably possible, they may still be incomplete or inaccurate, and other accepted methods exist for deriving procedures and correction angles. Always verify data against official aeronautical publications and follow the guidance of a certified flight instructor. The developer accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from use of this software. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

ATPL Practice Canada

Features
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A Step Closer To Captain - Be ready for your ATPL Exams - Speed up your aviation career - Build confidence - Train like you will fight - Simplicity... no obstacles - At your pace Do you have what it takes? Prove it. Download Now.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens
ATPL Practice Canada4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: IFR Flight Simulator at Free against ATPL Practice Canada's $1.99. ATPL Practice Canada's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 9) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). On update cadence, 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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

IFR Flight Simulator is free to download; ATPL Practice Canada costs $1.99 up front. IFR Flight Simulator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. ATPL Practice Canada asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Simulator ships an update weekly, ATPL Practice Canada every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 21, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
IFR Flight Simulator versus ATPL Practice Canada: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight SimulatorATPL Practice Canada
PriceFree — better$1.99
Rating4.3 (103 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews63.6% of reviews—
Number of ratings103 — better—
Update frequencyWeekly — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.612.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size116 MB104 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias MaihoffMario Sabogal

In-app purchases

7 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions4
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial2 variants$59.991 Year
One-time3
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
  • Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99
None

ATPL Practice Canada

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ATPL Practice Canada free?
ATPL Practice Canada costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Do IFR Flight Simulator or ATPL Practice Canada have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Simulator nor ATPL Practice Canada shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Simulator or ATPL Practice Canada?
IFR Flight Simulator ships an update weekly, and ATPL Practice Canada every 2 weeks. Most recently, IFR Flight Simulator was updated on September 21, 2026 and ATPL Practice Canada on September 24, 2026.

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