Comparison

IFR Flight Simulator vs WingFlow

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

WingFlow

Features
Read full description

WingFlow is a mini, interactive Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) app for iOS that lets you explore how wings and airfoils behave in flight. Selected as a winner of Apple’s 2026 Swift Student Challenge, WingFlow makes aerodynamic concepts visual, interactive, and easy to understand. Features: • Choose from popular airfoil designs including: Trainer (based on the Cessna 172) Glider Utility (inspired by STOL aircraft) • Design your own airfoils in the Custom Wing Builder: Adjust camber, chord, and thickness See changes update in real time • Fine-tune simulation settings with interactive sliders: Airspeed Angle of attack Particle density (simulation load) • Watch live lift and drag gauges respond instantly to your changes • Tap tooltips (?) throughout the app to learn aerospace concepts and terminology Experiment, learn, and see the physics of flight come to life.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens
WingFlow3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WingFlow at none against IFR Flight Simulator's 9. IFR Flight Simulator's advantage is iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.1). 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

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. WingFlow asks for nothing beyond the download.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
IFR Flight Simulator versus WingFlow: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight SimulatorWingFlow
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (107 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings107 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 days—
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better18.1
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias MaihoffLana Sambol

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
None

WingFlow

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is WingFlow free?
WingFlow is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do IFR Flight Simulator or WingFlow have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Simulator nor WingFlow shows ads.

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