Comparison

HelmKeeper vs Flight Radar

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

Head to head
About

HelmKeeper

This app helps boaters manage pre-departure checks, file float plans, access weather data, and provides an offline emergency playbook. It offers vessel management and quick-reference articles for a safer, more organized boating experience.

Highlights
  • Pre-departure and close-up checklists
  • One-tap float plans
  • Capability-aware conditions and weather
  • Offline emergency playbook
  • Vessel management
  • Quick-reference boating articles
Features
Read full description

Leave the dock with a clear head. If you've ever driven home wondering whether you left a hatch open or a battery switch on, HelmKeeper is for you. It's the clean, premium app that handles the hundred little things every boater juggles — so the only thing on your mind is the water ahead. DISTRACTION-FREE & AD-FREE When you are at the helm, you need critical tools—not intrusive pop-ups or clunky banner ads. HelmKeeper delivers a 100% premium, distraction-free experience designed with strict battery and data discipline. We use one-shot locations and smart caching so your phone still has charge left at the end of a long day out. PRE-DEPARTURE & CLOSE-UP CHECKLISTS Build a checklist for each of your boats and tap through it every time. Switches off, hatches shut, seacocks closed. You can even select checklist items and text a "what to bring" list directly to your crew so they arrive at the dock prepared. ONE-TAP FLOAT PLANS Filing a float plan is a vital safety practice that is often skipped because it is too tedious. HelmKeeper makes it instant. Select your trip, pick an emergency contact straight from your phone, and text your intentions in a couple of taps. Simple to send, reassuring to have. HONEST, CAPABILITY-AWARE CONDITIONS Stop guessing where your data comes from. HelmKeeper maps over 4,000 NOAA stations and shows you exactly what each one offers: - Clear Badges: See exactly what each station tracks - tide, current, buoy (wind & waves), or weather. - Honest distance labels: when the nearest data is farther off (e.g., "Nearest wave data: 3.2 miles away"). - Pinpoint Weather: NWS watches, warnings, and forecasts pulled precisely for your GPS location. EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, READ BEFORE YOU NEED THEM (WORKS OFFLINE) Step-by-step write-ups worth going through at the dock, and still there when you have no cell signal. Includes real-world scenarios missing from standard apps: - Prop Strikes & Prop Entanglement - Running Aground & Capsizing - Man Overboard (MOB) - Fire Aboard & Taking on Water - Engine or Steering Failure - Medical Emergencies EVERYTHING IN ONE PLACE - Manage Vessels: Track multiple boats—whether you are managing a 27-foot classic cruiser or stepping up to an offshore dual console—and securely store your insurance policy info. - Quick-Reference Articles: Access essential guidance covering engine maintenance, navigation, anchoring, and docking. - Saved Locations: Keep your favorite spots and ramps handy. PRIVATE & SECURE Sign in with Apple. Your data is yours. We do not monetize your location or tracking history, and you can permanently delete your account and all its data anytime. Zero ads, ever. IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTE HelmKeeper is an informational and organizational tool — not a substitute for proper seamanship, official charts, official forecasts, or emergency services. In an emergency on the water, contact the U.S. Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or call 911. Built by an everyday boater, for everyday boaters. Welcome aboard. — HelmKeeper offers auto-renewable monthly and annual subscriptions, each starting with a free first month, plus an optional one-time Lifetime purchase. Current prices are shown in the app before you buy. Payment is charged to your Apple ID at confirmation of purchase. Subscriptions auto-renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period; your account is charged within 24 hours prior to renewal. Manage or cancel anytime in your App Store account settings. Privacy Policy: https://www.helmkeeper.com/privacy/#privacy Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.helmkeeper.com/privacy/#termsofservice

About

Flight Radar

Point your device at the sky to identify planes overhead. Explore flight details like callsign, altitude, and route using augmented reality. A demo mode is available, with live tracking requiring a subscription.

Highlights
  • AR aircraft identification
  • View flight details (callsign, altitude, speed)
  • Compact radar view
  • Flight card with aircraft info
  • Share flight discoveries
  • Demo mode with simulated flights
Features
Read full description

See a plane overhead? Point your iPhone at the sky and explore the flight behind it. Flight Radar: Plane Finder combines your camera view with nearby aircraft data. Follow the on-screen guidance to line up with a plane, then see the flight details available for that aircraft. EXPLORE THE SKY • Find nearby aircraft with AR guidance and a compact radar. • View callsign, route, altitude, speed and distance. • Open a flight card for aircraft model, registration and operator when available. • Check the observation time and data source. • Share a flight card from your discovery. TRY THE DEMO Explore the experience with simulated aircraft before subscribing. Demo flights are clearly marked and can be explored without live aircraft coverage. UNLOCK LIVE AR Live aircraft data requires a subscription, internet connection, camera and location access, and a compatible iPhone. Camera images stay on your device. Live coverage, routes and aircraft details may be delayed, incomplete or unavailable. The app interface is available in English and Russian. Airport names and aircraft identifiers retain the spelling supplied by the data source. Subscriptions renew automatically unless cancelled. Manage or cancel your subscription in your App Store account settings. The app is for exploration and information, not navigation or operational aviation decisions. Privacy Policy: https://appfyl.com/privacypolicy Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

HelmKeeper4 screens
Flight Radar3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is iOS requirement: HelmKeeper at 15.0 against Flight Radar's 17.0. 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. HelmKeeper sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month and Flight Radar sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per 7 days. 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 — 5.0 for HelmKeeper against 5.0 for Flight Radar. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 2 and 2 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

HelmKeeper ships an update weekly, Flight Radar every 4 days. The most recent releases landed on October 17, 2026 and October 20, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 9 level
HelmKeeper versus Flight Radar: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHelmKeeperFlight Radar
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings)5.0 (2 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings22
Update frequencyWeeklyEvery 4 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFreemiumFreemium
DevicesiPhone, iPod — betteriPhone
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size30 MB19 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperDoublecheck Advertising LLCSergey Gorelov

Customer experience

HelmKeeper

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

Flight Radar

All ratings2 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

3 purchases

HelmKeeper

Subscriptions2
  • HelmKeeper Monthly1 Month trial$1.991 Month
  • HelmKeeper Yearly1 Month trial$9.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$39.99
2 purchases

Flight Radar

Subscriptions2
  • Camera Flight Identifier Pro$4.997 Days
  • Camera Flight Identifier Pro$49.991 Year

Questions

Is HelmKeeper free?
HelmKeeper is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Flight Radar free?
Flight Radar is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, HelmKeeper or Flight Radar?
HelmKeeper and Flight Radar are both rated 5.0 out of 5 on the App Store, from 2 and 2 ratings respectively.
Do HelmKeeper or Flight Radar have ads?
Neither HelmKeeper nor Flight Radar shows ads.
Which is updated more often, HelmKeeper or Flight Radar?
HelmKeeper ships an update weekly, and Flight Radar every 4 days. Most recently, HelmKeeper was updated on October 17, 2026 and Flight Radar on October 20, 2026.

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