Comparison

IFR Flight Simulator vs Final Approach

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

Final Approach

Prepare for your FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Test with a comprehensive study guide. Features flashcards, realistic practice exams, and oral exam preparation. Track your progress and build study streaks to ace your checkride.

Highlights
  • FAA-aligned flashcards by topic
  • Customizable study sessions
  • Timed, randomized practice exams
  • DPE-style oral exam prep
  • Progress tracking and study streaks
  • Dark mode support
Features
Read full description

Final Approach — IFR is the precision-engineered study companion for pilots preparing for the FAA Instrument Rating Knowledge Test. Whether you're an instrument student or a rusty pilot brushing up, this app gives you everything you need to walk into the testing center with confidence. SMART FLASHCARD SYSTEM Study hundreds of FAA-aligned flashcards organized by topic — from IFR regulations and approach procedures to weather theory and navigation. Toggle individual modules on or off to focus your sessions on weak areas. Choose 10, 20, or 50 cards per session and track your mastery percentage across every category. REALISTIC PRACTICE EXAMS Simulate the real FAA Knowledge Test with timed, randomized practice exams. Questions are pulled from the same topic areas covered on the actual test. Review your results, see which questions you missed, and track your score improvement over time. DPE-STYLE CHECKRIDE PREP Go beyond the written test. Practice oral exam questions the way a Designated Pilot Examiner would ask them — out loud. Listen to each question, formulate your response, then reveal the model answer and self-grade. Covers all ACS areas including preflight preparation, departure, en route, arrival, approaches, abnormal procedures, and more. PROGRESS TRACKING & STREAKS Monitor your overall readiness with detailed progress analytics. See your mastery level for every topic at a glance. Build a daily study streak to stay consistent, and compete on the global leaderboard to stay motivated. WHAT'S INCLUDED FREE • 80–120 flashcards across core IFR topics • 1 quick-review practice exam (15 questions) • 3 checkride oral exam questions per session • Basic progress tracking by category UPGRADE TO PILOT PRO Unlock the full experience with Pilot Pro: • 500+ premium flashcards covering the complete IFR question bank • Unlimited full-length practice exams • Unlimited checkride oral exam prep across all ACS areas • Advanced weakness tracking and analytics • Study streak restore credits • Monthly ($9.99/mo) or Lifetime ($59.99) options BUILT BY PILOTS, FOR PILOTS All content is authored and verified by certified flight instructors to align with current FAA Instrument Rating Airman Certification Standards. No generic quiz banks — every card and question is purpose-built for IFR. STUDY ANYTIME, ANYWHERE Whether you're at home, at the airport, or between flights — Final Approach fits into your schedule. Dark mode support makes it easy on the eyes during early morning or late night study sessions. --- Subscription Terms: Pilot Pro is available as a monthly subscription ($9.99/month) or a one-time lifetime purchase ($39.99). Monthly subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current billing period. Payment is charged to your Apple ID account at confirmation of purchase. You can manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple ID Account Settings. View https://finalapproach.io/terms.html for more information.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens
Final Approach4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Final Approach at 5.0 against IFR Flight Simulator's 4.3. IFR Flight Simulator's advantage is ratings volume (107 vs 2). 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. IFR Flight Simulator sells 5 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month and Final Approach sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Final Approach holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Simulator has 107 ratings behind it against 2, so its average is the more settled of the two.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, Final Approach every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
IFR Flight Simulator versus Final Approach: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight SimulatorFinal Approach
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (107 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings) — better
Positive reviews64.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings107 — better2
Update frequencyEvery 5 days — betterEvery 9 days
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB76 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperTobias MaihoffSalvage Contractors Midwest, Inc

Customer experience

IFR Flight Simulator

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

Final Approach

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

5 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
2 purchases

Final Approach

Subscriptions1
  • Pilot Pro Monthly$9.991 Month
One-time1
  • Pilot Pro Lifetime$59.99

Questions

Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Final Approach free?
Final Approach is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, IFR Flight Simulator or Final Approach?
Final Approach is rated higher. IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 out of 5 from 107 ratings, while Final Approach averages 5.0 from 2 ratings.
Do IFR Flight Simulator or Final Approach have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Simulator nor Final Approach shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Simulator or Final Approach?
IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, and Final Approach every 9 days. Most recently, IFR Flight Simulator was updated on November 3, 2026 and Final Approach on October 31, 2026.

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