Comparison

Virtual PAPI vs MachDB

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

Head to head
About

Virtual PAPI

This app offers adjustable visual descent guidance for any runway, allowing pilots to select airports and runways, then customize descent angles and aiming points. It provides accurate vertical guidance for various approach types and works offline with an extensive runway database.

Highlights
  • Adjustable visual descent guidance
  • Select airport and runway
  • Customize descent angle and aiming point
  • Accurate vertical guidance
  • Works offline
  • 30,000+ runway database
Features
Read full description

Pilots love runways with visual descent guidance, such as PAPI or VASI, but unfortunately they don't exist everywhere. This app provides an adjustable visual descent guidance for every runway on the planet. The pilot can select an airport, a runway, adjust the desired descent angle and the aiming point, then Virtual PAPI will create a glide slope indicator style. The glide slope will provide accurate vertical guidance to the aiming point from any direction, 360 degrees, providing a valuable guidance for any type of approach, like base entries, short approaches, straight-ins, etc. The app comes with over 30 thousand runways in its offline database, and more will be added as they are discovered. The app works completely offline and never tries to use the internet. All it needs is access to your location. Virtual PAPI is and free and open source, with all the code available on GitHub.

About

MachDB

Easily download and transfer Garmin avionics database updates to an SD card using your iPhone or iPad. This app supports a wide range of Garmin avionics and requires only a standard USB-C SD card reader. Updates are fast and convenient for field use.

Highlights
  • Download Garmin database updates
  • Transfer updates to SD card
  • iPhone and iPad compatible
  • Supports various Garmin avionics
  • Uses standard USB-C SD card reader
  • Fast Wi-Fi/Cellular downloads
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

Virtual PAPI2 screens
MachDB3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: Virtual PAPI at 5.0 against MachDB's 4.3. Virtual PAPI also leads on review sentiment (100% vs 67%). MachDB's advantage is ratings volume (6 vs 1). 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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Virtual PAPI holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: MachDB has 6 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Virtual PAPI's written reviews are positive against 67% of MachDB's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Virtual PAPI versus MachDB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVirtual PAPIMachDB
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (1 ratings) — better4.3 (6 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better66.7% of reviews
Number of ratings16 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 weeksEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.617.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size4 MB18 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMarlon DutraMachDB LLC

Customer experience

Virtual PAPI

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

MachDB

All ratings6 ratings
Positive83.3%
Neutral0.0%
Negative16.7%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

None

Virtual PAPI

No in-app purchases

None

MachDB

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Virtual PAPI free?
Virtual PAPI is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is MachDB free?
MachDB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Virtual PAPI or MachDB?
Virtual PAPI is rated higher. Virtual PAPI averages 5.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while MachDB averages 4.3 from 6 ratings.
Do Virtual PAPI or MachDB have ads?
Neither Virtual PAPI nor MachDB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Virtual PAPI or MachDB?
Virtual PAPI ships an update every 2 weeks, and MachDB every 2 weeks. Most recently, Virtual PAPI was updated on October 30, 2026 and MachDB on November 5, 2026.

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