Comparison

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments vs Garmin TXi Trainer

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

Head to head
About

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments

Master instrument flying with this comprehensive trainer. It offers interactive modules and a simulator for navigation instruments, procedures, and holding patterns. Ideal for student pilots and instructors preparing for instrument ratings.

Highlights
  • Interactive navigation instrument modules
  • IFR procedure simulator
  • Holding pattern practice
  • Step-by-step learning
  • Animations and exercises
  • Built-in IFR simulator
Features
Read full description

Master instrument flying with this all-in-one IFR trainer. Includes interactive modules for ADF/RMI (FREE), VOR/ILS, HSI, IFR procedures and holding patterns. Ideal for student pilots and flight instructors preparing for instrument rating (IR). • Learn & practice navigation instruments step-by-step • Use animations and interactive exercises • Train with our built-in IFR simulator • Practice real-world holding entries (parallel, teardrop, direct) ### Modules: 1. ADF/RMI Instructor (Free Trial) 2. VOR + ILS Instructor 3. HSI Trainer 4. IFR Procedure Simulator 5. Holding Pattern Instructor Whether you're preparing for your checkride, IR test, or just want to improve situational awareness, this app helps you fly safer and smarter. Designed by pilots, for pilots. ▶ Try the ADF/RMI module for free! ▶ Trusted by aviation schools worldwide. FlyGo Aviation – Elevate Your IFR Skills.

About

Garmin TXi Trainer

Virtually explore Garmin's G500/G600 TXi flight displays and engine information systems on your iPad. Familiarize yourself with simulated touch interfaces, various aircraft configurations, and aviation databases before flying.

Highlights
  • Simulated touch and bezel interface
  • TXi EIS (Engine Instrumentation System)
  • Multiple display configurations
  • Aviation databases (North America, Worldwide)
  • Airport information and approach charts
  • Terrain and obstacle databases
  • Simulated system information (ADS-B, Weather Radar)
Features
Read full description

The Garmin G500 TXi, G600 TXi and TXi EIS Trainer provides an on-the-ground environment to experience these products virtually anywhere you can take an iPad. Easily familiarize yourself with these flight displays and engine information systems prior to flying behind them. The Trainer includes: - Simulated touch and bezel interface – interact with the primary flight and multi-function displays, become familiarized with the new HSI Map one-touch zoom gesture, full- and split-screen PFD/MFD modes, on-screen autopilot controls, and much more - TXi EIS (Engine Instrumentation System) – demonstrates common engine gauge layouts for single-engine piston, multi-engine piston, and single-engine turboprop aircraft - Selection between 10", 7" Portrait, and 7" Landscape configurations for multiple aircraft types - explore the broad range of options available in the TXi series - Garmin North America and Jeppesen Worldwide/Americas aviation databases are available – go to Settings > More to select the database used. - Garmin SafeTaxi and FliteCharts – view detailed airport information and published approach charts on the moving map - High resolution worldwide terrain and obstacle databases, including powerline alerting - Simulated system information for: - ADS-B and TCAS Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion - FIS-B and SiriusXM Weather - Garmin GWX 75 Weather Radar - Stormscope Lightning Detection * This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. Content may differ slightly from actual hardware for demonstration purposes or be out-of-date with respect to the latest airborne software and database cycles. This app should not be used for navigation purposes. * Some functionality that requires a navigator or other products, e.g., flight plans from GTN, may be unavailable in this standalone Trainer. * Visit Garmin's web site for additional GTN/TXi Trainer options, TXi flight familiarization and tutorial videos, and to explore our fully-featured training programs.

Screenshots

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments at 4.5 against Garmin TXi Trainer's 1.9. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments also leads on review sentiment (52% vs 16%) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 8 months). Garmin TXi Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6). On price, ads, device support and iOS requirement 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. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Garmin TXi Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 1.9. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments has 959 ratings behind it against 7, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of IFR Trainer Flight Instruments's written reviews are positive against 16% of Garmin TXi Trainer's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, Garmin TXi Trainer every 8 months. Both last shipped on November 6, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments versus Garmin TXi Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Trainer Flight InstrumentsGarmin TXi Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (959 ratings) — better1.9 (7 ratings)
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews — better16.2% of reviews
Number of ratings959 — better7
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 8 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS18.618 — better
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB2.6 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFlygo-Aviation LtdGarmin DCI

Customer experience

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments

All ratings959 ratings
Positive89.2%
Neutral3.2%
Negative7.6%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral6.2%
Negative41.6%

Garmin TXi Trainer

All ratings7 ratings
Positive14.3%
Neutral14.3%
Negative71.4%
Written reviews37 reviews
Positive16.2%
Neutral16.2%
Negative67.6%

In-app purchases

6 purchases

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments

One-time6
  • Holding Instructor$5.99
  • VOR+ILS Instructor$9.99
  • HSI Instructor$9.99
Show 3 more
  • IFR Simulator$11.99
  • All in one$31.99
  • All in one$37.99
None

Garmin TXi Trainer

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is IFR Trainer Flight Instruments free?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Garmin TXi Trainer free?
Garmin TXi Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin TXi Trainer?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is rated higher. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments averages 4.5 out of 5 from 959 ratings, while Garmin TXi Trainer averages 1.9 from 7 ratings.
Do IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin TXi Trainer have ads?
Neither IFR Trainer Flight Instruments nor Garmin TXi Trainer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin TXi Trainer?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, and Garmin TXi Trainer every 8 months. Most recently, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments was updated on November 6, 2026 and Garmin TXi Trainer on November 6, 2026.

Other comparisons