CaptainVFR vs CircumFlight
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
CaptainVFR
This app provides comprehensive flight planning and navigation tools for VFR pilots. It offers interactive aviation maps, flight planning assistance, airport data, and essential pilot tools for safe and efficient visual flight rules operations.
- Interactive aviation maps with offline support
- Intuitive flight planning with route calculations
- Comprehensive airport database with weather and NOTAMs
- Essential pilot tools including E6B computer
- Real-time GPS tracking and moving map
- Offline capability for core navigation
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Captain VFR - Professional Flight Planning & Navigation Transform your VFR flying experience with Captain VFR, the comprehensive flight planning and navigation app designed by pilots, for pilots. Whether you're a student pilot or seasoned aviator, Captain VFR provides all the tools you need for safe and efficient visual flight rules operations. KEY FEATURES Interactive Aviation Maps • High-resolution worldwide coverage with offline support • Real-time GPS tracking with moving map display • Customizable map layers including airspaces, navaids, and reporting points • Smooth performance optimized for all devices Flight Planning Made Simple • Intuitive drag-and-drop waypoint management • Automatic route calculations with distance, time, and fuel estimates • Multiple aircraft profiles with performance data • Save and organize unlimited flight plans Comprehensive Airport Database • Detailed information for thousands of airports worldwide • Runway data, frequencies, and elevation details • Real-time METAR/TAF weather with color-coded flight categories • NOTAM information for US and European airports Essential Pilot Tools • Weight and balance calculator with graphical CG display • Complete E6B flight computer functions • Fuel consumption and endurance calculations • Wind correction and crosswind components • Density altitude calculator • Unit conversions for all aviation measurements Navigation & Tracking • HSI-style compass with GPS track • Real-time altitude and speed display • Flight path recording with altitude profile • Estimated time of arrival calculations • Nearest airport finder for emergencies Professional Features • Dark mode for night flying • Comprehensive checklist management • Aircraft performance profiles • Pilot logbook integration ready • Weather overlay with METAR symbols • Airspace alerts and information Offline Capability • Download maps for offline use • No internet required for core navigation features • Cached weather and airport data • Perfect for remote area flying Why Pilots Choose Captain VFR: • Reliable - Trusted by thousands of pilots worldwide • Intuitive - Clean interface designed for cockpit use • Comprehensive - Everything you need in one app • Accurate - Regular database updates • Safe - Built with flight safety as top priority Perfect For: • Student pilots learning navigation • Private pilots planning cross-countries• Flight instructors teaching VFR procedures • Commercial pilots flying VFR legs • Anyone passionate about general aviation Important Notice: Captain VFR is designed as a supplementary tool for VFR flight planning and situational awareness. Always use official charts and follow regulations for actual navigation. Not for use as primary navigation. Regular Updates Include: • New features based on pilot feedback • Updated airport and navaid databases • Performance improvements • Enhanced weather integration • Bug fixes and stability improvements Join the Captain VFR community and experience the difference a pilot-centric app makes. Download now and take your first flight plan for free! Questions or suggestions? We love hearing from pilots! Contact us through the app or visit our support page. Safe flying!
CircumFlight
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CircumFlight is an electronic flight bag supplement for general-aviation pilots: current FAA charts, approach plates, live weather and airspace on a fast moving map, with tools for planning the flight and reviewing it afterward. CHARTS AND PLATES • VFR sectional and IFR chart tiles for the continental US, downloaded by region for use without a connection • Georeferenced instrument approach plates with own-ship position • Airport diagrams, runway figures and pattern indicators • Airport detail with frequencies, runways, services and NOTAMs WEATHER * 3D tropical weather view and storm models. • NEXRAD radar with playback and a scrubber, storm cells and echo tops • Lightning, winds aloft, up to 48 hour forecast radar, echo tops and animated winds • TFRs, special-use airspace and obstacle lighting on the map IN FLIGHT • Moving map with terrain, an HSI and a synthetic-vision view with augmented reality • Route planning with per-leg details and an active-leg indicator • ADS-B traffic and weather from a compatible ADS-B receiver (Stratus Open, Stratux) • Automatic flight logging in the background, with playback of every flight PLANNING AND SAFETY • Aircraft weight-and-balance envelope COMMUNITY • Airport chat, user profiles with photos and flight sharing, behind a profile you activate when you want it FREE WITH SIGN IN WITH APPLE Base maps, the initial aviation database and the current radar frame. Chart, plate and data updates, full weather and flight tools are part of a membership. FOUNDING MEMBERSHIP For a limited introductory period, membership is offered at $24.99 per 6 months as a Founding Membership. Subscribe now and your price is locked for as long as your membership remains active without lapsing, and you receive every feature of the Pro individual membership as new features are added, at no change in price. Includes a one-week free trial for new subscribers on the US storefront. Membership is an auto-renewable subscription billed to your Apple ID; it renews unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period, and can be managed in your App Store account settings. CircumFlight is a planning and situational-awareness aid. It is not a certified navigation or weather system and does not replace the equipment installed in your aircraft or the official sources of aeronautical information. Privacy policy: https://www.circumflight.com/privacy Terms of use: shown in the app under Terms of Use Support: https://www.circumflight.com/support
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: CaptainVFR at none against CircumFlight's 1. CaptainVFR also leads on update cadence (every 4 days vs every 3 weeks) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). 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
Both are free to download. CircumFlight sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $24.99 per 6 months. CaptainVFR asks for nothing beyond the download.
CaptainVFR ships an update every 4 days, CircumFlight every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 8, 2026 and October 10, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | CaptainVFR | CircumFlight |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | — |
| Number of ratings | 1 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 — better | 15.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 81 MB | 115 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 17+ |
| Developer | Quality Unit s.r.o. | Panalucent LLC |
In-app purchases
CaptainVFR
No in-app purchases
CircumFlight
- Founding Membership7 Days trial$24.996 Months







