Comparison

VirtualTower vs BZF Hero

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

Head to head
About

VirtualTower

This app offers realistic aviation radio communication training for aspiring pilots. It features AI-powered feedback on phraseology, simulated air traffic control interactions, and a variety of training scenarios to prepare users for their BZF-II exam.

Highlights
  • Realistic Push-to-Talk simulation
  • AI-powered ATC with real voice
  • 31 training scenarios
  • Customizable radio call generator
  • Exam mode with realistic pressure
  • Progress dashboard
  • Listen to real radio traffic
Features
Read full description

VirtualTower ist das professionelle Sprechfunk-Training für angehende Piloten. Bestehe deine BZF-II-Prüfung mit realistischen Funkspruch-Szenarien, sofortiger Auswertung und echten Lotsen-Stimmen. = PUSH-TO-TALK wie im echten Cockpit = Halte die PTT-Taste gedrückt, sprich deinen Funkspruch, lass los - genau wie im Flugzeug. Die App erkennt deine Worte und vergleicht sie mit der korrekten BZF-Phraseologie. = DER LOTSE ANTWORTET = Der Lotse antwortet wie am echten Platz - mit echter Stimme und korrekter deutscher Phraseologie. Egal ob Turm, Rollkontrolle, Radar oder FIS Langen Information. = TRAININGS-SZENARIEN = Vom ersten Rollsprech bis zum CTR-Einflug - realistische Flugfunk-Szenarien an 139 deutschen VFR-Flughäfen. Drei Schwierigkeitsstufen, chronologisch abgestimmt auf BZF-II. = FUNKABLAUF-GENERATOR = Plane deinen nächsten Flug: gib Start und Ziel ein und erhalte einen vollständigen, BZF-konformen Funkablauf als druckbare Kneeboard-Karte. = PRÜFUNGSMODUS = Zeitdruck, keine Hilfe, standardisierte Bewertung - so realistisch wie die echte BZF-II-Prüfung. Mit detailliertem Prüfungsbericht am Ende. = FORTSCHRITTS-DASHBOARD = Prüfungsbereitschaft, Streak, Szenarien-Fortschritt und Prüfungs-Countdown auf einen Blick. = FUNK LAUSCHEN = Hör dir echte Funksituationen an - perfekt zum Einhören in die BZF-Phraseologie, auch ohne aktives Training. = WEITERE FEATURES = - Theorie-Fragen (BZF II) - Buchstabieren und Zahlen - Klassenzimmer-Videos - 139 OpenAIP-verifizierte deutsche Flugplätze - Phraseologie nach NfL 2024-1-3240 - Langen Information (FIS) Sektor-einheitlich = SO FUNKTIONIERT'S = 1. Szenario wählen 2. Push-to-Talk drücken und funken 3. Sofort Rückmeldung erhalten 4. Wiederholen und verbessern 5. Im Prüfungsmodus testen = VON PILOTENSCHÜLERN FÜR PILOTENSCHÜLER = Entwickelt mit Fluglehrern und Prüfungsveteranen. Alle Flughafen-Daten direkt aus OpenAIP, alle Phraseologie-Regeln aus aktueller NfL und BZF-II-Lehrmaterial. = KOSTENLOS NUTZBAR = Alle Funktionen kostenlos verfügbar: - Theoriefragen, Buchstabieren und Zahlen, Phraseologie - Klassenzimmer-Videos, Podcasts, Englisch-Vokabeln - Training mit allen Szenarien - Funk lauschen (Hörspiele) - Prüfungsmodus - Funkablauf-Generator inkl. PDF-Export Zur fairen Nutzung gelten moderate Tageslimits für Spracherkennung und Auswertung. = RECHTLICHES = - Datenschutz: https://virtualtower.de/datenschutz - Nutzungsbedingungen: https://virtualtower.de/nutzungsbedingungen - Impressum: https://virtualtower.de/impressum Ergänzend zur BZF-II-Ausbildung. Ersetzt keine offizielle Schulung.

About

BZF Hero

Features
Read full description

Getting ready for the BZF? The BZF is the German aviation radio license (BZF I for English, BZF II for German radio telephony). With BZF Hero you practice radio calls the way they really sound: you fly a real route between German airfields and talk to Ground, Tower, FIS and Approach – by voice, with a push-to-talk button just like in the cockpit. HOW IT WORKS • Choose departure and destination – more than 1,000 airfields in Germany with real runways, taxiways, frequencies and reporting points. • Hold the transmit button and speak your call. The controller answers by voice – clearances, traffic information, taxi instructions. • BZF Hero checks every call: callsign, order, mandatory items, readbacks, standard phraseology. LEARN OR TEST YOURSELF • Learning mode: guided step by step – with a sample call, an explanation of why it is done that way, and tips after every call. • Exam mode: no help, with a debrief at the end – just like the practical exam. • English or German: practice aviation radio in English (BZF I) or German (BZF II). REALISTIC FROM HOLDING POINT TO PARKING POSITION • Initial call, taxi, takeoff clearance, leaving the control zone, FIS with transponder and traffic information, approach, traffic circuit, landing and vacating the runway. • Map in the style of the ICAO chart with airspace, reporting points and traffic circuits; your aircraft flies the route in real time – or in time-lapse. • Watch mode: let the pilot do the talking and listen to how a whole flight sounds. WHO IT IS FOR For student pilots preparing for the BZF exam, for pilots who want to brush up their routine, and for anyone who wants to understand aviation radio. TRY IT FOR FREE Your first flight is free. For unlimited flights there is a subscription (weekly, monthly or quarterly). Payment is charged to your Apple ID; the subscription renews automatically unless you cancel it in your Apple ID settings at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Note: BZF Hero is a practice tool and no substitute for training at a flight school. The maps are not intended for navigation. Privacy policy: https://client.bzf-hero.app/privacy Terms of use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

VirtualTower4 screens
BZF Hero4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: VirtualTower at none against BZF Hero's 4. On price, update cadence, ads and device support 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. BZF Hero sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per 7 days. VirtualTower asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

VirtualTower ships an update every 4 days, BZF Hero every 2 days. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 31, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 7 level
VirtualTower versus BZF Hero: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterVirtualTowerBZF Hero
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 4 daysEvery 2 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better16.4
Further details — not scored
Size49 MB89 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDietrich PetersBENA Service UG haftungsbeschraenkt

In-app purchases

None

VirtualTower

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

BZF Hero

Subscriptions4
  • BZF Hero Pro – weekly$3.997 Days
  • BZF Hero Pro – monthly1 Month trial$14.991 Month
  • BZF Hero Pro – 3 months$29.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • BZF Hero Pro – yearly1 Year trial$119.991 Year

Questions

Is VirtualTower free?
VirtualTower is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is BZF Hero free?
BZF Hero is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do VirtualTower or BZF Hero have ads?
Neither VirtualTower nor BZF Hero shows ads.
Which is updated more often, VirtualTower or BZF Hero?
VirtualTower ships an update every 4 days, and BZF Hero every 2 days. Most recently, VirtualTower was updated on November 5, 2026 and BZF Hero on October 31, 2026.

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