# Approach Control vs Busy ATC

The clearest difference is update cadence: Busy ATC at every 4 days against Approach Control's every 3 weeks. Approach Control's advantage is iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Approach Control sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and Busy ATC sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

Approach Control ships an update every 3 weeks, Busy ATC every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on September 20, 2026 and September 18, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Approach Control | Busy ATC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[3.0 (8 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control-remastered/id6756545492/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **8** | — |
| Positive reviews | 28.6% of reviews | — |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | **Every 4 days** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Size | 174 MB | 34 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, Mac |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Big Fat Simulations Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/578114758) | [Vertolini](https://appshunter.io/developer/1802404097) |

## What reviewers say

### Approach Control

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/approach-control-remastered/id6756545492)

Experience a realistic air traffic control simulation with genuine ATC procedures and pilot voice recordings. Make critical decisions under pressure, manage traffic across 10 unique sectors, and test your skills with challenging scenarios. Includes training modules and career tracking.

**Highlights:** Realistic radar simulation, Genuine ATC procedures, Actual pilot voice recordings, 10 unique approach sectors, 10 ATC challenges, In-built training modules, Career statistics and trophy case

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (9)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Advanced | $1.99 | one-time |
| Ninja | $1.99 | one-time |
| Approach Control: Remastered | $1.99 | one-time |
| Cornered | $1.99 | one-time |
| Insanity | $1.99 | one-time |
| Windy | $1.99 | one-time |
| Pandemonium | $1.99 | one-time |
| Gridlock | $1.99 | one-time |
| Full Unlock | $14.99 | one-time |


### Busy ATC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/busy-atc/id6787166088)

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Polar Finale | $2.99 | one-time |
| Career Pack | $4.99 | one-time |


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Approach Control free?

Approach Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is Busy ATC free?

Busy ATC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Do Approach Control or Busy ATC have ads?

Neither Approach Control nor Busy ATC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Approach Control or Busy ATC?

Approach Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and Busy ATC every 4 days. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on September 20, 2026 and Busy ATC on September 18, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*