Comparison

NRST vs AeroAltitude

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

Head to head
About

NRST

This app helps pilots navigate by providing essential airport information, including distance, elevation, and required descent rates. It offers real-time data updates and customizable descent settings for various aircraft types. Worldwide airport coverage is available, with daily database updates.

Highlights
  • Real-time airport data
  • Customizable descent rate
  • Worldwide airport coverage
  • Filter airports by runway
  • Glide distance calculation
  • Watch app integration
Features
Read full description

Don't miss your airport! Designed for pilots of any size aircraft, this app provides you with bearing and vertical speed required to nearby airports. The following information is shown for destinations: • Distance from current location • Field Elevation • Descent rate required • Time to Top of Descent (TOD) • Bearing • Frequencies • Runways • Glide distance delta Additionally your current speed, course, altitude and vertical speed are displayed. Tapping on the information button, Time to TOD or Target Altitude allows you to customize the desired descent rate. All data is updated in real time as you fly. You may choose a nearby airport or select an airport by identifier by scrolling down on the airport list. Filter by runway length and surface type and choose any of the following: airports, seaplane bases, heliports, balloon ports and closed airports. You may optionally provide a glide ratio for your aircraft. The glide distance long or short of the selected airport is then displayed and is conveniently color coded. A positive, green glide delta indicates the glide distance has been estimated to exceed the distance to the airport with a 25% safety margin. Runway headings, if known, are used to draw runways on the heading indicator. If the magenta arrow is pointed straight up and aligned with a runway then you are headed straight in. Worldwide airport information is provided by multiple sources. Canada, Europe and all continents are covered! For more information go to ourairports.com/world.html. Database updates are performed daily. Your location and altitude is provided by your device's location services. If location or altitude is not available that information will not be displayed however you can still search for an airport by identifier. Unfortunately external GPS devices are generally NOT compatible. You must be moving for course information and the magenta relative bearing arrow to be displayed. The Watch app has many of the same features and fits on your wrist. See distances to nearby airports or bearing to a selected airport. Frequencies and runway lengths can be seen with a swipe. A green glide icon or delta indicates glideability is likely. Just like the iPhone and iPad app, the Watch app requires GPS information to locate nearby airports and relative bearing. Additionally, altitude is needed to calculate descent rates. Feedback and feature requests are appreciated. Thanks! Subscription Fine Print ---------------------- - 1 month FREE trial - Database Subscription or Apple Watch Subscription is required for new users - The subscription is for 1 year and updated data is available daily - The annual subscription is $11.99/year or $17.99/year for Watch - Payment will be charged to iTunes Account at confirmation of purchase - Subscription automatically renews unless auto-renew is turned off at least 24-hours before the end of the current period - Account will be charged for renewal within 24-hours prior to the end of the current period, and identify the cost of the renewal - Subscriptions may be managed by the user and auto-renewal may be turned off by going to the user's Account Settings after purchase - No cancellation of the current subscription is allowed during active subscription period - Privacy policy and terms of use are located at: http://toonsy.net/privacy.html - Any unused portion of a free trial period, if offered, will be forfeited when the user purchases a subscription to that publication.

About

AeroAltitude

This app calculates pressure and density altitudes using GPS, barometer, and airport METAR data. It offers manual input options and displays airport information, including charts on larger screens. A watch app and customizable units enhance its usability for pilots.

Highlights
  • Pressure and density altitude calculation
  • GPS and barometer integration
  • METAR data display
  • Airport database search
  • Watch app support
  • Customizable units
  • Data sharing
Features
Read full description

AeroAltitude calculates pressure altitude (PA) and density altitude (DA) either from user data inputs or automatically by using built-in GPS, built-in barometer*, and METAR** of airports. Overview of features: - PA/DA/QNH calculation for current position using GPS and barometer (enter temperature manually) - PA/DA calculation based on user inputs for altitude, QNH, and temperature - PA/DA calculation of any airports from the built-in airport database. Including METAR display and chart of DA (on 4'' screens and higher) - List of user defined airports showing PA/DA calculation - List of nearby airports showing PA/DA calculation - Includes watch app to display DA at current position, user, and nearby airports - User definable warning threshold factor - Sharing data via mail, message, etc. - All units are customizable - Pre iOS 14 today widget with PA/DA for maximum five nearby airports (not available in iOS 18 or later) AeroAltitude uses the freely available Aviation Digital Data Service from US NOAA to get METAR data and can not be guaranteed. Internet connection required

Screenshots

NRST4 screens
AeroAltitude3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NRST at Free against AeroAltitude's $2.29. AeroAltitude's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and rating (4.8 vs 4.6). On ratings volume, 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

NRST is free to download; AeroAltitude costs $2.29 up front. NRST sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. AeroAltitude asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

AeroAltitude holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.6. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 9 and 5 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 47% of NRST's written reviews are positive against 60% of AeroAltitude's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

NRST ships an update every 4 months, AeroAltitude every 2 months. The most recent releases landed on November 1, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
NRST versus AeroAltitude: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterNRSTAeroAltitude
PriceFree — better$2.29
Rating4.6 (9 ratings)4.8 (5 ratings) — better
Positive reviews46.9% of reviews60.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings9 — better5
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsEvery 2 months — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationSubscriptionPaid — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.016.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size50 MB12 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperToonsy NetLakehorn AG

Customer experience

NRST

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews32 reviews
Positive46.9%
Neutral6.3%
Negative46.9%

AeroAltitude

All ratings5 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews5 reviews
Positive60.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative40.0%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

NRST

Subscriptions6
  • Early Adopter Device Subscription1 Month trial$0.991 Year
  • Early Adopter Device and Watch Bronze1 Month trial$1.991 Year
  • Device Only1 Month trial$11.991 Year
Show 3 more
  • Device Only1 Month trial$14.991 Year
  • Device and Watch1 Month trial$17.991 Year
  • Device and Watch1 Month trial$24.991 Year
None

AeroAltitude

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is NRST free?
NRST is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is AeroAltitude free?
AeroAltitude costs $2.29, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, NRST or AeroAltitude?
AeroAltitude is rated higher. NRST averages 4.6 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while AeroAltitude averages 4.8 from 5 ratings.
Do NRST or AeroAltitude have ads?
Neither NRST nor AeroAltitude shows ads.
Which is updated more often, NRST or AeroAltitude?
NRST ships an update every 4 months, and AeroAltitude every 2 months. Most recently, NRST was updated on November 1, 2026 and AeroAltitude on November 2, 2026.

Other comparisons