Comparison

AstroPup Horizon vs MachDB

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

AstroPup Horizon

Read full description

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.

About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

AstroPup Horizon4 screens
MachDB3 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
AstroPup Horizon versus MachDB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAstroPup HorizonMachDB
PriceFreeFree
Rating—4.3 (6 ratings) — better
Positive reviews—66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings—6 — better
Update frequencyEvery 10 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
Monetization—Free
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS26.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size115 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAaron FreimarkMachDB LLC

In-app purchases

None

AstroPup Horizon

No in-app purchases

None

MachDB

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is AstroPup Horizon free?
AstroPup Horizon is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MachDB free?
MachDB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do AstroPup Horizon or MachDB have ads?
Neither AstroPup Horizon nor MachDB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, AstroPup Horizon or MachDB?
AstroPup Horizon ships an update every 10 days, and MachDB every 2 weeks. Most recently, AstroPup Horizon was updated on October 28, 2026 and MachDB on November 5, 2026.

Other comparisons