# IFR Trainer Flight Instruments vs SimControlX

The clearest difference is price: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments at Free against SimControlX's $19.99. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments also leads on rating (4.5 vs 3.5) and ratings volume (952 vs 4). SimControlX's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.6). On review sentiment, update cadence, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is free to download; SimControlX costs $19.99 up front. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. SimControlX asks for nothing beyond the download.

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 3.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments has 952 ratings behind it against 4, 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 50% of SimControlX's.

Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 6 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 29, 2026 and June 1, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | IFR Trainer Flight Instruments | SimControlX |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | **Free** | $19.99 |
| Rating | **[4.5 (952 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-trainer-flight-instruments/id896679194/reviews)** | [3.5 (4 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simcontrolx/id1380341055/reviews) |
| Number of ratings | **952** | 4 |
| Positive reviews | **52.2% of reviews** | 50.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | Every 6 weeks |
| Monetization | **Free with in-app purchases** | Paid |
| Size | 155 MB | 4 MB |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | **12.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad** | iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Flygo-Aviation Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/550770776) | [ELITE Simulation Solutions AG](https://appshunter.io/developer/1699597702) |

## What reviewers say

### IFR Trainer Flight Instruments

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifr-trainer-flight-instruments/id896679194)

Master instrument flying with interactive modules and a built-in simulator. Practice navigation instruments, IFR 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, Built-in IFR simulator, Real-world holding entry training

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Family Sharing, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (6)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Holding Instructor | $5.99 | one-time |
| VOR+ILS Instructor | $9.99 | one-time |
| HSI Instructor | $9.99 | one-time |
| IFR Simulator | $11.99 | one-time |
| All in one | $31.99 | one-time |
| All in one | $37.99 | one-time |


### SimControlX

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simcontrolx/id1380341055)

Control your flight simulator from your iPad with this instructor station app. Remotely manage aircraft position, weather, and system failures for realistic training and enhanced gameplay. Connects via Wi-Fi to supported simulators.

**Highlights:** iPad instructor station for flight simulators, Remote aircraft repositioning, Customizable weather settings, Simulated system and engine failures, Worldwide moving map with flight path tracing, Quick Wi-Fi connection to simulator, Fuel and battery recharge options

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is IFR Trainer Flight Instruments free?

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is SimControlX free?

SimControlX costs $19.99, with no in-app purchases.

### Which has better reviews, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or SimControlX?

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is rated higher. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments averages 4.5 out of 5 from 952 ratings, while SimControlX averages 3.5 from 4 ratings.

### Do IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or SimControlX have ads?

Neither IFR Trainer Flight Instruments nor SimControlX shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or SimControlX?

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, and SimControlX every 6 weeks. Most recently, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments was updated on September 29, 2026 and SimControlX on June 1, 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.*