Virtual PAPI vs MachDB
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Adjustable visual descent guidance
- Select airport and runway
- Customize descent angle and aiming point
- Accurate vertical guidance
- Works offline
- 30,000+ runway database
Read full descriptionHide 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.
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.
- 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 descriptionHide 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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
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.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 30, 2026 and November 5, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Virtual PAPI | MachDB |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 5.0 (1 ratings) — better | 4.3 (6 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better | 66.7% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 1 | 6 — better |
| Update frequency | Every 2 weeks | Every 2 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free | Free |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 17.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 4 MB | 18 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Marlon Dutra | MachDB LLC |
Customer experience
Virtual PAPI
MachDB
In-app purchases
Virtual PAPI
No in-app purchases
MachDB
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is Virtual PAPI free?
Is MachDB free?
Which has better reviews, Virtual PAPI or MachDB?
Do Virtual PAPI or MachDB have ads?
Which is updated more often, Virtual PAPI or MachDB?
Other comparisons















