Comparison

IFR Flight Simulator vs 320 EXPLAINAIR

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
Read full description

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

320 EXPLAINAIR

Master aircraft procedures with interactive explanations, cockpit videos, and smart visuals. Train anywhere, even offline, to prepare for type ratings or command upgrades. Developed by experienced pilots and instructors for efficient learning.

Highlights
  • Interactive procedure explanations
  • Cockpit videos
  • Smart visuals
  • Offline training capability
  • Developed by pilots and instructors
Features
Read full description

Be Sim-Ready. Master 320 procedures with interactive explanations, cockpit videos, and smart visuals. From type rating to command upgrade — train anywhere, even offline. Built by 320 pilots & instructors to help you train smarter, not harder. EULA: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ ALSO AVAILABLE IN APP / ABOUT US SECTION - COMPATIBLE WITH 3.1.2 GUIDELINES FOR APP REVIEW. Subscription available inside the app: "Yearly Access to EXPLAINAIR" Subscription length: Annual Subscription price: €69,99 (or local equivalent) Auto-renewal disclosure included Cancellation via App Store account settings Refunds handled directly by Apple Privacy Policy: https://wwhttps://explainair.webflow.io/#PRIVACY ator Training with our dedicated app.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens
320 EXPLAINAIR4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IFR Flight Simulator at 4.3 against 320 EXPLAINAIR's 1.8. IFR Flight Simulator also leads on monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (106 vs 5). On price, review sentiment, 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. IFR Flight Simulator sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and 320 EXPLAINAIR sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $59.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IFR Flight Simulator holds the better App Store score, 4.3 against 1.8. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Simulator has 106 ratings behind it against 5, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 65% of IFR Flight Simulator's written reviews are positive against 67% of 320 EXPLAINAIR's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, 320 EXPLAINAIR every 11 days. The most recent releases landed on October 21, 2026 and October 18, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
IFR Flight Simulator versus 320 EXPLAINAIR: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight Simulator320 EXPLAINAIR
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (106 ratings) — better1.8 (5 ratings)
Positive reviews64.7% of reviews66.7% of reviews — better
Number of ratings106 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 11 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.614.0.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB87 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias MaihoffExplainAir

Customer experience

IFR Flight Simulator

All ratings103 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews34 reviews
Positive64.7%
Neutral17.6%
Negative17.6%

320 EXPLAINAIR

All ratings5 ratings
Positive20.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative80.0%
Written reviews6 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral16.7%
Negative16.7%

In-app purchases

8 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions5
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 2 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial$59.991 Year
  • Full Access7 Days trial$79.991 Year
One-time3
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
  • Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99
1 purchases

320 EXPLAINAIR

Subscriptions1
  • ExplainAir Yearly Plan$59.991 Year

Questions

Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is 320 EXPLAINAIR free?
320 EXPLAINAIR is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, IFR Flight Simulator or 320 EXPLAINAIR?
IFR Flight Simulator is rated higher. IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 out of 5 from 106 ratings, while 320 EXPLAINAIR averages 1.8 from 5 ratings.
Do IFR Flight Simulator or 320 EXPLAINAIR have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Simulator nor 320 EXPLAINAIR shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Simulator or 320 EXPLAINAIR?
IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, and 320 EXPLAINAIR every 11 days. Most recently, IFR Flight Simulator was updated on October 21, 2026 and 320 EXPLAINAIR on October 18, 2026.

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