NRST vs TakeoffAlert
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Real-time airport data
- Customizable descent rate
- Worldwide airport coverage
- Filter airports by runway
- Glide distance calculation
- Watch app integration
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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.
TakeoffAlert
This app monitors your aircraft's takeoff performance in real-time, comparing actual data against planned performance. It provides intuitive feedback on your aircraft's position relative to runway requirements during takeoff.
- Real-time takeoff monitoring
- Actual vs. planned performance comparison
- Intuitive data display
- Input takeoff data (TODA, Roll, Stopping Distance)
- Monitor takeoff position
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What is TakeoffAlert? TakeoffAlert is advanced takeoff monitoring app that monitors your takeoff performance through the takeoff event. This data is displayed to the pilot an easy to understand and intuitive format providing value feedback on their aircraft's ACTUAL takeoff performance versus the takeoff planned performance. How does TakeoffAlert work? Simple. 1. Enter your takeoff data: Runway Takeoff Distance Available (TODA); Takeoff Roll; Stopping Distance (see User Guide); Review and Execute the data. 2. When in takeoff position tap the "In Takeoff Position" button to begin monitoring the takeoff. That's it! TakeoffAlert begins monitoring your takeoff, providing realtime feedback about the aircraft is in relation to the runway and the calculated takeoff roll and stop requirements. *** DEVICE REQUIREMENTS *** Wifi ONLY iPads require an EXTERNAL GPS** connected to the iPad (such as Bad Elf Pro). iPod Touch requires an EXTERNAL GPS** connected to the iPod Touch (such as Bad Elf Pro). ** Appareo Stratus 1/2/3 and uAvionix Sentry GPS NOT Supported.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: TakeoffAlert at 5.0 against NRST's 4.5. TakeoffAlert also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (15 vs 17.0). NRST's advantage is update cadence (every 4 months vs every 9 months) and ratings volume (8 vs 2). On price, 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
Both are free to download. NRST sells 6 in-app purchases, starting at $0.99 per year. TakeoffAlert asks for nothing beyond the download.
TakeoffAlert holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 8 and 2 respectively.
NRST ships an update every 4 months, TakeoffAlert every 9 months. The most recent releases landed on October 14, 2026 and October 6, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | NRST | TakeoffAlert |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (8 ratings) | 5.0 (2 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 46.9% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 8 — better | 2 |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months — better | Every 9 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Subscription | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 50 MB | 15 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Toonsy Net | Raymond Chase |
Customer experience
NRST
TakeoffAlert
In-app purchases
NRST
- 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
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- Device Only1 Month trial$14.991 Year
- Device and Watch1 Month trial$17.991 Year
- Device and Watch1 Month trial$24.991 Year
TakeoffAlert
No in-app purchases








