IFR Trainer Flight Instruments vs Garmin GPS Trainer
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments
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.
- Interactive navigation instrument modules
- IFR procedure simulator
- Holding pattern practice
- Step-by-step learning
- Built-in IFR simulator
- Real-world holding entry training
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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.
Garmin GPS Trainer
This app simulates the user interface of a GPS navigator, allowing users to explore its features and operational aspects. It's ideal for improving avionics familiarity and preparing for flights by practicing flight plans.
- Simulated multi-touch and drag interface
- Garmin SafeTaxi with airport information
- High resolution terrain and aviation databases
- Obstacle databases with power line alerting
- Simulated ADS-B Traffic and FIS-B Weather
- Chair fly flight plans
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The Garmin GPS Trainer simulates the system user interface and provides the opportunity to explore the features, options, and fundamental operational aspects of the avionics. When used in combination with the GPS Navigator Series Pilot’s Guide, the trainer can be an effective way to improve avionics familiarity and proficiency at a time and location convenient to the user. The Trainer is also a great way to prepare for a flight because a user can load the anticipated flight plan and “chair fly” the avionics portion of the flight before entering the aircraft. The GPS Trainer includes: • Simulated multi-touch and drag interface – allows you to interact with the system, graphically edit flight plans, and much more • Garmin SafeTaxi – allows you to view detailed airport information on the moving map • High resolution worldwide terrain maps and aviation databases • High resolution obstacle databases including power line alerting • Simulated interfaces and data including: -- ADS-B Traffic with TargetTrend™ Relative Motion -- FIS-B Weather with animated NEXRAD -- Airspaces, airways, and Visual Reporting Points * Note: This app contains simulated data and does not receive data from or interact with real Garmin avionics. This app should not be used for actual navigation purposes.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is rating: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments at 4.5 against Garmin GPS Trainer's 2.1. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments also leads on ratings volume (959 vs 28) and review sentiment (52% vs 33%). Garmin GPS Trainer's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 6) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). 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. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments sells 6 one-off in-app purchases. Garmin GPS Trainer asks for nothing beyond the download.
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 2.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments has 959 ratings behind it against 28, 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 33% of Garmin GPS Trainer's.
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, Garmin GPS Trainer every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 23, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | IFR Trainer Flight Instruments | Garmin GPS Trainer |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.5 (959 ratings) — better | 2.1 (28 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 52.2% of reviews — better | 33.3% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 959 — better | 28 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 3 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.6 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 155 MB | 1.3 GB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Flygo-Aviation Ltd | Garmin DCI |
Customer experience
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments
Garmin GPS Trainer
In-app purchases
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments
- Holding Instructor$5.99
- VOR+ILS Instructor$9.99
- HSI Instructor$9.99
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- IFR Simulator$11.99
- All in one$31.99
- All in one$37.99
Garmin GPS Trainer
No in-app purchases
Questions
Is IFR Trainer Flight Instruments free?
Is Garmin GPS Trainer free?
Which has better reviews, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin GPS Trainer?
Do IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin GPS Trainer have ads?
Which is updated more often, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin GPS Trainer?
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