# C172 Performance vs VatScope

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: C172 Performance at none against VatScope's 1. C172 Performance also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). VatScope's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and ratings volume (1.4K vs 52). On price, rating, review sentiment and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. VatScope sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. C172 Performance asks for nothing beyond the download.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.9 for C172 Performance against 4.8 for VatScope. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: VatScope has 1.4K ratings behind it against 52, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 90% of C172 Performance's written reviews are positive against 85% of VatScope's.

C172 Performance ships an update every 2 months, VatScope every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 18, 2026 and September 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | C172 Performance | VatScope |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.9 (52 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/c172-performance/id741721884/reviews)** | [4.8 (1.4K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vatscope/id1303293807/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | 52 | **1.4K** |
| Positive reviews | **90.0% of reviews** | 84.6% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | **No** | Yes |
| Ads | Yes | **No** |
| Update frequency | Every 2 months | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | **Ad-supported** | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 15 MB | 39 MB |
| Requires iOS | **13.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [POH Performance L.L.C.](https://appshunter.io/developer/641403529) | [文俊 周](https://appshunter.io/developer/1818047674) |

## 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


### VatScope

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/vatscope/id1303293807)

This application provides real-time information for the VATSIM network, allowing users to view pilot and controller data, track friends, and access airport weather. It also integrates flight plan routes and VATSIM events.

**Highlights:** Real-time pilot and controller information, Friend tracking, Airport weather and weather map, Flight plan route display, VATSIM events integration, VATSIM member certificate details, Dark mode support

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (1)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Extension | $4.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Excellent app for Vatsim
- 🚀 Constantly updated and improved
- 👍 User-friendly interface
- 👍 Packed with useful features
- 👍 Reliable and dependable

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes and bugs
- 🔒 Paywall for some features
- 🔒 Removing existing features behind paywall
- 🐛 Issues with recent updates
- 🐛 Inconsistent performance on different devices

**Reported bugs**

- Aircraft labels and route lines disappearing on zoom
- Search functionality for airports and callsigns removed
- App not opening on iPad after recent update
- Frequent refresh errors and data not updating
- ATIS/controller info display issues with line breaks

**Requested features**

- Ability to filter by aircraft type
- Bring back busiest airports feature
- Option to set custom refresh rate
- Compatibility with new Mac devices
- Notifications for new ATC sectors coming online


## Frequently asked questions

### Is C172 Performance free?

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

### Is VatScope free?

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

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

C172 Performance is rated higher. C172 Performance averages 4.9 out of 5 from 52 ratings, while VatScope averages 4.8 from 1.4K ratings.

### Do C172 Performance or VatScope have ads?

C172 Performance shows ads; VatScope does not.

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

C172 Performance ships an update every 2 months, and VatScope every 5 weeks. Most recently, C172 Performance was updated on September 18, 2026 and VatScope on September 25, 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.*