# C172 Performance vs PilotPal

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: C172 Performance at none against PilotPal's 3. C172 Performance also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 55%) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.0). PilotPal's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (663 vs 52). On price, rating, update cadence and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. PilotPal sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per month. C172 Performance asks for nothing beyond the download.

C172 Performance holds the better App Store score, 4.9 against 4.7. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: PilotPal has 663 ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 90% of C172 Performance's written reviews are positive against 55% of PilotPal's.

C172 Performance ships an update every 2 months, PilotPal every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 22, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | C172 Performance | PilotPal |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c172-performance/id741721884/reviews)** | [4.7 (663 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilotpal-flight-planner-efb/id1060952159/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **663** |
| Positive reviews | **90.0% of reviews** | 55.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | **Every 2 months** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 15 MB | 19 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 18.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [POH Performance L.L.C.](https://appshunter.io/developer/641403529) | [Tinybyte Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/1592418784) |

## What reviewers say

### C172 Performance

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c172-performance/id741721884)

This app calculates essential flight performance data for Cessna 172 and 150 aircraft. It covers takeoff, landing, climb, cruise, descent, instrument procedures, and emergencies, with additional tools for holds and glide calculations. Cloud sync ensures your flight plans are accessible across devices.

**Highlights:** Takeoff and landing calculations, Climb, cruise, and descent performance, Instrument procedure planning, Emergency scenario calculations, Interactive hold calculator, Emergency glide distance calculator, Cloud sync for flight plans

**Features:** macOS Compatibility

**In-app purchases:** none


### PilotPal

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pilotpal-flight-planner-efb/id1060952159)

This app provides FAA aviation airport charts and facility directories for easy flight planning. Access airport diagrams, frequencies, elevation, and helipad information offline. Stay updated with monthly chart revisions and quickly find nearby or favorite airports.

**Highlights:** Offline charts, Airport Facility Directories, Airport Diagrams, Airport Information (Maps, Frequencies, Elevation, Helipads), Monthly updated FAA charts, Nearby and favorite airports, Airport search

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Airport Diagrams | $0.99 | per month |
| PilotPal Monthly | $2.99 | per month |
| PilotPal Pro | $19.99 | per year |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Clean and simple user interface
- 🚀 Quick access to airport information
- 📱 Effective airport directory functionality
- ⭐ Excellent customer support
- 🎯 Minimalist design with focused mission

**What reviewers complain about**

- 💰 Paywall-locked features behind subscription
- 🔒 Subscription access issues and bugs
- 📊 Incomplete airport chart coverage
- ❌ Missing chart supplement sections
- 🚫 Difficult to unsubscribe

**Reported bugs**

- Subscription verification loop - shows already subscribed but denies access
- Airport diagrams not displaying despite active subscription
- App stopped working after February update
- General app functionality failures
- Missing settings/preferences menu

**Requested features**

- Airport diagram printing functionality
- Ability to sort favorites tab
- Front and back page information inclusion
- Improved search functionality for VOR locations
- Legend/index documentation


## Frequently asked questions

### Is C172 Performance free?

C172 Performance is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Is PilotPal free?

PilotPal is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, C172 Performance or PilotPal?

C172 Performance is rated higher. C172 Performance averages 4.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while PilotPal averages 4.7 from 663 ratings.

### Do C172 Performance or PilotPal have ads?

C172 Performance shows ads; PilotPal does not.

### Which is updated more often, C172 Performance or PilotPal?

C172 Performance ships an update every 2 months, and PilotPal every 3 months. Most recently, C172 Performance was updated on September 18, 2026 and PilotPal on September 22, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*