Comparison

ATC SkyDecode vs HD Flight Log

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • Synchronized ATC dialogues with text
  • Real-time global flight map
  • Aircraft details on tap
  • Clean, dark interface
  • Aviation phraseology learning
Features
Read full description

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

About

HD Flight Log

Features
Read full description

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

ATC SkyDecode4 screens
HD Flight Log4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
ATC SkyDecode versus HD Flight Log: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterATC SkyDecodeHD Flight Log
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (263 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews22.7% of reviews—
Number of ratings263 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 4 days — betterWeekly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.6 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size45 MB5 MB
Age rating17+4+
DeveloperTap WaterHD Aviation Ltd.

In-app purchases

7 purchases

ATC SkyDecode

Subscriptions6
  • 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
Show 3 more
  • SkyDecode Premium monthly$19.991 Month
  • SkyDecode Premium yearly$49.991 Year
  • SkyDecode Premium yearly 3dt3 Days trial$49.991 Year
One-time1
  • skydecode lifetime $79.99$79.99
2 purchases

HD Flight Log

Subscriptions2
  • Flight Log Monthly14 Days trial$2.991 Month
  • Flight Log Annual14 Days trial$8.991 Year

Questions

Is ATC SkyDecode free?
ATC SkyDecode is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is HD Flight Log free?
HD Flight Log is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do ATC SkyDecode or HD Flight Log have ads?
Neither ATC SkyDecode nor HD Flight Log shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ATC SkyDecode or HD Flight Log?
ATC SkyDecode ships an update every 4 days, and HD Flight Log weekly. Most recently, ATC SkyDecode was updated on October 24, 2026 and HD Flight Log on October 19, 2026.

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