Comparison

IFR Flight Simulator vs Pilot One

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

Pilot One

Features
Read full description

Prepare for PPL theory and keep your aviation essentials together with Pilot One. BUILD REAL EXAM CONFIDENCE • Practise all nine PPL(A) theory subjects. • Run timed mock exams with the official subject question counts. • Choose Instant feedback, Exam, Guess or Game mode. • Focus on selected subtopics or questions you have not mastered yet. UNDERSTAND YOUR PROGRESS • Track daily goals, recent accuracy and study streaks. • See progress by subject based on questions answered correctly. • Identify recommended focus areas with their subject context. • Review recent sessions and mistakes. AVIATION TOOLS WHEN YOU NEED THEM • Read and decode METAR reports without editing the source report. • Save favourite stations for faster weather checks. • View significant-weather charts and practical flight calculations. EXPLORE AVIATION AND KEEP LEARNING • Explorer: short aviation sessions and a final challenge that earns your Explorer certificate. • Library: bilingual study guides you can read inside the app. Pilot One is an educational study aid. Always use current official publications, aircraft documentation, applicable regulations and qualified instruction for flight operations.

Screenshots

IFR Flight Simulator4 screens
Pilot One4 screens

Verdict

The call

IFR Flight Simulator and Pilot One are too close to call on the numbers: across 6 compared parameters — price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

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 Pilot One sells 5 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, Pilot One every 3 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

ScorecardNo meaningful differences
IFR Flight Simulator versus Pilot One: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight SimulatorPilot One
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.3 (107 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews64.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings107 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 5 daysEvery 3 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.615.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB90 MB
Age rating4+12+
DeveloperTobias MaihoffArvency

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
5 purchases

Pilot One

One-time5
  • Pilot One Explorer$11.99
  • PPL(A) Access - 1 Month$14.99
  • PPL(A) Access - 3 Months$39.99
Show 2 more
  • PPL(A) Access - 6 Months$69.99
  • PPL(A) Access - 12 Months$119.99

Questions

Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Pilot One free?
Pilot One is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do IFR Flight Simulator or Pilot One have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Simulator nor Pilot One shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Simulator or Pilot One?
IFR Flight Simulator ships an update every 5 days, and Pilot One every 3 days. Most recently, IFR Flight Simulator was updated on November 3, 2026 and Pilot One on November 6, 2026.

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