Comparison

Approach Control vs ATC

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

Head to head
About

Approach Control

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
Read full description

Work real approach radar. Make real decisions. Feel the pressure. Approach Control: Remastered is a highly realistic air traffic control simulation designed by real-world air traffic controllers. It delivers an authentic radar-control experience using genuine ATC procedures and actual pilot voice recordings. It's a game, but it feels very real. The radar behaves exactly like real approach control radar, including a true 3-second sweep used by professional controllers, plus actual ICAO separation and wake turbulence standards. Every element is designed to replicate how controllers scan, think, and manage traffic in real time, all within a clean, intuitive interface built for mobile. Control traffic in 10 unique approach sectors, each with its own localizer configuration and arrival entry points. Put your skills to the test with 10 ATC challenges that demand precision, planning, and calm decision-making under pressure. Train Like a Controller. New to air traffic control? Built-in Ground School and guided on-the-job training teach you the fundamentals step-by-step, preparing you for increasingly complex traffic scenarios. Track Your Career. Career statistics and a trophy case track your progress, performance, and long-term achievements as an approach controller. If you love flight simulation, try an air traffic control simulation. Approach Control: Remastered delivers one of the most authentic ATC experiences available on mobile.

About

ATC

Experience the thrill of air traffic control by issuing real clearances using your voice. Manage aircraft on the ground, in the air, and through busy airspace at authentic airports. This game is designed for aviation enthusiasts and flight simmers.

Highlights
  • Voice-native air traffic control
  • Authentic ATC phraseology
  • Ground, Tower, Approach, and Center roles
  • Real-world airport simulations
  • Offline voice recognition
  • Career progression and premium airports
Features
Read full description

You have the mic. You have the frequency. Every aircraft is waiting on your word. ATC: Cleared for Takeoff is the voice-native air traffic control game where you don't tap buttons — you SPEAK. Issue real clearances out loud and watch pilots read them back and follow your instructions, all recognized right on your device. SPEAK LIKE A REAL CONTROLLER Key the mic and use authentic phraseology. "Cleared for takeoff." "Turn left heading two seven zero." "Contact tower." The recognizer is tuned to real ATC language and runs on your device — no internet required, and your audio is processed on your phone. WORK EVERY SEAT Move up through the tower cab and the radar room: • Ground — taxi aircraft to the runway without gridlock • Tower — sequence departures and arrivals on the runway • Approach & Departure — vector traffic through busy terminal airspace • Center — run high-altitude en-route sectors and keep jets separated REAL AIRPORTS Control traffic at faithfully laid-out real-world airports, from your first quiet field to demanding hubs. Earn your way up the career ladder, or unlock premium airports to jump straight into the deep end. BUILT FOR AVIATION FANS Whether you're a flight simmer who has always wanted to be on the OTHER side of the radio, a student pilot drilling radio calls before your first solo, or someone who loves listening to live ATC — this is the controller's chair you have been waiting for. Think you can keep them separated? Grab the mic. You're cleared for takeoff.

Screenshots

Approach Control4 screens
ATC4 screens

Verdict

The call

Approach Control and ATC both sit at 2.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 36% of Approach Control's written reviews are positive against 0% of ATC's. Approach Control also leads on ads (none vs shown) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 15.0). On price, rating, ratings volume and update cadence 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. Approach Control sells 9 one-off in-app purchases and ATC sells 3 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 2.9 for Approach Control against 2.8 for ATC. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 10 respectively. Written reviews are what separate them: 36% of Approach Control's written reviews are positive against 0% of ATC's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Approach Control ships an update every 3 weeks, ATC every 9 days. The most recent releases landed on November 3, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
Approach Control versus ATC: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterApproach ControlATC
PriceFreeFree
Rating2.9 (9 ratings) — better2.8 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews36.4% of reviews — better0.0% of reviews
Number of ratings910 — better
Update frequencyEvery 3 weeksEvery 9 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS13.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size174 MB82 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperBig Fat Simulations Inc.James Payoyo

Customer experience

Approach Control

All ratings9 ratings
Positive33.3%
Neutral11.1%
Negative55.6%
Written reviews11 reviews
Positive36.4%
Neutral18.2%
Negative45.5%

ATC

All ratings8 ratings
Positive37.5%
Neutral37.5%
Negative25.0%
Written reviews3 reviews
Positive0.0%
Neutral66.7%
Negative33.3%

In-app purchases

9 purchases

Approach Control

One-time9
  • Advanced$1.99
  • Ninja$1.99
  • Approach Control: Remastered$1.99
Show 6 more
  • Cornered$1.99
  • Insanity$1.99
  • Windy$1.99
  • Pandemonium$1.99
  • Gridlock$1.99
  • Full Unlock$14.99
3 purchases

ATC

One-time3
  • Remove Ads$2.99
  • Role Pack: Center + Clearance$4.99
  • Premium — Full Roster$9.99

Questions

Is Approach Control free?
Approach Control is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is ATC free?
ATC is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, Approach Control or ATC?
Approach Control is rated higher. Approach Control averages 2.9 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while ATC averages 2.8 from 10 ratings.
Do Approach Control or ATC have ads?
ATC shows ads; Approach Control does not.
Which is updated more often, Approach Control or ATC?
Approach Control ships an update every 3 weeks, and ATC every 9 days. Most recently, Approach Control was updated on November 3, 2026 and ATC on October 31, 2026.

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