ATC SkyDecode vs HD Flight Log
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ATC SkyDecode
Learn air traffic control communications with synchronized text and audio dialogues. Track global flights in real-time on a live map, viewing aircraft details. Designed for aviation enthusiasts and learners with a focused, dark interface.
- Synchronized ATC dialogues with text
- Real-time global flight map
- Aircraft details on tap
- Clean, dark interface
- Aviation phraseology learning
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SkyDecode brings two things together for student pilots, aviation English learners, and aviation enthusiasts: a way to get familiar with ATC communications, and a real-time view of what's flying around the world. What you get ATC dialogues with synchronized text - Each ATC dialogue is paired with a synchronized text view, so you can follow along visually while you listen. - A natural way to pick up phraseology, callsign formats, and the flow of typical exchanges — without having to decode every word by ear. Real-time global flight tracking - A live flight map powered by adsb.fi, with sub-5-second refresh. - Tap any aircraft on the map to see its callsign, altitude, ground speed, heading, and squawk code. - Watch global air traffic move in real time, anywhere in the world. Built for focused use - A clean, dark, radar-inspired interface that's easy on the eyes during extended sessions. SkyDecode is an independent app and is not affiliated with any air traffic control authority or live ATC monitoring service. Terms of Service: https://www.tapwater.life/terms-of-use Privacy Policy: https://www.tapwater.life/privacy-policy
HD Flight Log
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HD Flight Log is a simple personal flight logging and operational note-taking app designed for pilots who want a fast way to record flight activity in the field. Start a flight in seconds, complete the entry after landing, and track key details such as flight time, landings, cycle counts, hook hours, fuel values, notes, and attached photos. Entries are grouped by day, with daily and rolling totals to help you quickly review recent activity. Customize your setup by aircraft type so each aircraft can show the fields that matter most. Configure aircraft registrations, adjust visible fields, manage fuel units, and back up or restore your setup when needed. Version 1.0.2 adds new operational tracking tools, including an Air Time Calculator for tracking takeoff-to-landing segments, a Loads/Drops counter for bucket drops, sling loads, or similar repetitive operations, and improved timezone-consistent time calculations for flights that may cross time zones. Deleted entries can also now be moved to a recoverable Deleted Entries section before being permanently removed. Features include: • Fast start-flight workflow • Editable flight entries • Daily totals by aircraft • Rolling flight-time summaries • Configurable aircraft types and fields • Aircraft registration management • Fuel, cycle, landing, hook-hour, and note fields • Air Time Calculator with segment logging • Loads/Drops counter • Timezone-consistent flight time calculations • Photo attachments for flight entries • Deleted Entries recovery section • iCloud sync across devices signed into the same Apple ID • Backup and restore support • Configuration import and export HD Flight Log is intended as a personal flight logging and operational note-taking tool. It is not a substitute for official company, aircraft, maintenance, regulatory, or legal records. Users are responsible for verifying entries and maintaining any required official records through approved systems. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://hdaviation.ca/?page_id=80
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: ATC SkyDecode at 15.6 against HD Flight Log'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
Both are free to download. ATC SkyDecode sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per 7 days and HD Flight Log sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $2.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ATC SkyDecode ships an update every 4 days, HD Flight Log weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 19, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ATC SkyDecode | HD Flight Log |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (263 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 22.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 263 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Weekly |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.6 — better | 26.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 45 MB | 5 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Tap Water | HD Aviation Ltd. |
In-app purchases
ATC SkyDecode
- SkyDecode Premium weekly$5.997 Days
- SkyDecode Premium weekly 3dt3 Days trial$5.997 Days
- SkyDecode Premium weekly first week7 Days trial$5.997 Days
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- SkyDecode Premium monthly$19.991 Month
- SkyDecode Premium yearly$49.991 Year
- SkyDecode Premium yearly 3dt3 Days trial$49.991 Year
- skydecode lifetime $79.99$79.99
HD Flight Log
- Flight Log Monthly14 Days trial$2.991 Month
- Flight Log Annual14 Days trial$8.991 Year









