AstroPup Horizon vs MachDB
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
AstroPup Horizon
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AstroPup Horizon allows rapid and accurate capture of your local horizon, using your iPhone or iPad's on-device Neural Engine. No need to capture individual points, just capture a panorama and let machine learning determine figure it out. Magnetometer calibration gets a boost if you include the sun in your image; we'll improve calibration with astrophysics. If needed, make surgical edits or repaint the horizon line within the app. After capture, you can export the data astronomy software such as N.I.N.A., Stellarium, Cartes du Ciel, and SkySafari, and our own AstroPup Sky.
MachDB
Easily download and transfer aviation database updates to an SD card or USB key using your iPhone or iPad. Supports major avionics systems like Garmin, Avidyne, and Pro Line for quick field updates.
- Download and transfer aviation database updates
- Supports SD card and USB key transfer
- Compatible with Garmin, Avidyne, and Pro Line avionics
- Fast updates over Wi-Fi or Cellular
- No proprietary hardware required
- Works with existing Jeppesen or Garmin accounts
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MachDB allows you to download and transfer aviation database updates to an SD card or USB key in seconds using your iPhone or iPad for fast updates in the field. Supports Garmin, Avidyne, and Pro Line avionics. All you need is your iPhone or iPad and a standard USB-C SD card reader (for SD updates) or USB-A to C cable (for USB updates). No proprietary hardware required! Download updates fast over Wi-Fi or Cellular connections. MachDB is compatible with all modern Garmin, Avidyne, and Pro Line avionics, using your existing Jeppesen or Garmin database account. No additional subscription or cost required. Supported avionics include: -Garmin G1000, G1000 Nxi, Perspective and Perspective + -Garmin G2000, G3000, G3X and Perspective Touch -Garmin Axis, G500, G600, G700, GTN 600 and 700 Xi -All other Garmin avionics using SD card or USB key for updates -Avidyne IFD, Vantage, and Entegra -Collins Pro Line 21 and Pro Line Fusion Supported Database Providers: -Jeppesen -Garmin
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: MachDB at 17.0 against AstroPup Horizon's 26.0. 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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
AstroPup Horizon ships an update every 10 days, MachDB every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | AstroPup Horizon | MachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | — | 4.3 (6 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | — | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | — | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 10 days — better | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | — | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 26.0 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 115 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Aaron Freimark | MachDB LLC |
In-app purchases
AstroPup Horizon
No in-app purchases
MachDB
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is AstroPup Horizon free?
Is MachDB free?
Do AstroPup Horizon or MachDB have ads?
Which is updated more often, AstroPup Horizon or MachDB?
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