WhatFBO vs Skyby
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
WhatFBO
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WhatFBO is a smart aviation utility designed for pilots and operators to quickly discover Fixed Base Operators (FBOs) at airports worldwide and stay informed with relevant airport-related updates. Search & Discover FBOs – Quickly find Fixed Base Operators and handling agents worldwide by airport name, ICAO, or IATA code Live Weather & METARs – Access real-time weather data, TAF forecasts, wind, visibility, and altimeter settings for any airport at a glance FBO Profiles & Fuel Info – View handler contact details, location maps, fuel availability, and pricing in one place Compliance & Audit Tracking – Check audit status and compliance records for handling agents to ensure operational standards are met Verified Reviews & Ratings – Read and leave reviews for FBOs and handling services, helping crews make informed decisions on the ground With an intuitive search experience, users can explore airports, view available FBOs, and access essential operational information in one place. If an FBO is not currently listed, operators can register through the dedicated FBO portal to make their services visible to the aviation community. Key Features: Airport & FBO Search - Easily search airports and view available FBOs with relevant operational details. FBO Registration Portal - FBOs can register and manage their presence for specific airports directly through the platform. AI-Powered Information Assistance - Communicate with the in-app AI assistant to get answers to aviation-related questions based on available platform data and updates. Airport Updates & Notices - Stay informed with operational updates and information provided by airport authorities when available. Favorites & Personalization - Mark airports and FBOs as favorites for quick access. User Reviews & Feedback - Share reviews and experiences for FBOs you have used to help other pilots and operators. Secure Authentication - User authentication ensures a personalized and secure experience. Privacy & Data Usage - No payments or in-app purchases - No sharing of personal data with third parties - No analytics or tracking of user behavior - Reviews and favorites are optional and user-controlled Important Disclaimer: Information available in the app is intended for general reference and convenience only. While efforts are made to keep content accurate and up to date, operational details may change and should always be independently verified before use in flight planning or decision-making.
Skyby
Instantly identify commercial flights overhead without searching. Track airline, origin, destination, and aircraft type in real-time. Set alerts for specific planes or monitor your chosen airspace.
- Instant overhead flight identification
- Real-time airline, origin, and destination
- Aircraft type and altitude display
- Inbound flight indicator
- Customizable alerts for specific aircraft
- Automatic logbook of flights
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Know exactly what's flying over you. Look up, and whatever is overhead appears on screen. Airliners, private jets, helicopters, and more, identified instantly. No searching, no typing, no menus. NOTE: Some features shown in the screenshots require Skyby Pro. Whether you're a planespotter camped at the end of a runway or a casual fan glancing up from home, Skyby reads the sky in real time and shows the aircraft directly above: the airline or operator, the aircraft type, the altitude, and, for scheduled flights, where it came from and where it's headed. An inbound indicator shows when a flight is coming into range. Two ways to use it: Set it and forget it. Prop Skyby on a desk, shelf, or windowsill and leave it running: a quiet radar for your patch of sky. Set an alert for the aircraft you care about, and Skyby chimes the moment one flies over. Pull it out and look up. On a walk or in the backyard, open Skyby and see what's flying over right now. From airliners to helicopters: Skyby identifies it all. The passenger and cargo jets, the private planes and business jets, the helicopters overhead. And yes, if a blimp drifts over, Skyby catches that too. Prefer to keep it to the airlines? Flip on Commercial Only in settings. Set your spot, or take it with you: Use your current location Drop a pin anywhere in the coverage area to watch the planes over home while you're away Or set the pin to live, and Skyby follows you as you move WHAT YOU GET Instant overhead ID for the aircraft above you Adjustable search area, up to 3 nm free (wider with Pro) Alerts that chime when a plane you care about flies over (A380 and 747 built in, free) An inbound indicator when a flight is coming into range Real routes and aircraft types for scheduled flights A logbook that saves your catches automatically Available across the US, Canada, UK, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Philippines and Singapore today, with more on the way Skyby Pro adds aircraft photos matched to the tail number (when available), custom alerts (any airline, aircraft type, flight number, or tail), your full logbook with search and bookmarks, detailed stats, and an even wider search radius. Skyby runs on iPhone and iPad, and it shines on iPad propped up on a desk or shelf. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: WhatFBO at none against Skyby's 4. On price, 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
Both are free to download. Skyby sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. WhatFBO asks for nothing beyond the download.
WhatFBO ships an update every 9 days, Skyby weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 16, 2026 and October 24, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | WhatFBO | Skyby |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.4 (9 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 85.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 9 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 9 days | Weekly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | — | Freemium |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0.0 | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 66 MB | 11 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Avia Index Ltd | StoryForward |
In-app purchases
WhatFBO
No in-app purchases
Skyby
- Skyby Pro$2.991 Month
- Skyby Pro Annual$19.991 Year
- Skyby Founder Lifetime$19.99
- Skyby Pro Lifetime$49.99









