Comparison

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.

Head to head
About

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.

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
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 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.

Highlights
  • 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
Read full description

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

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments4 screens

Verdict

The call

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

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

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.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

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.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

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.

Scorecard7 real differences · 3 level
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments versus Garmin GPS Trainer: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Trainer Flight InstrumentsGarmin GPS Trainer
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (959 ratings) — better2.1 (28 ratings)
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews — better33.3% of reviews
Number of ratings959 — better28
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeks — betterEvery 3 months
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad — betteriPad
Requires iOS18.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB1.3 GB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFlygo-Aviation LtdGarmin DCI

Customer experience

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments

All ratings952 ratings
Positive89.1%
Neutral3.3%
Negative7.7%
Written reviews113 reviews
Positive52.2%
Neutral6.2%
Negative41.6%

Garmin GPS Trainer

All ratings19 ratings
Positive31.6%
Neutral10.5%
Negative57.9%
Written reviews24 reviews
Positive33.3%
Neutral4.2%
Negative62.5%

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 GPS 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 GPS Trainer free?
Garmin GPS Trainer is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin GPS Trainer?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is rated higher. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments averages 4.5 out of 5 from 959 ratings, while Garmin GPS Trainer averages 2.1 from 28 ratings.
Do IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin GPS Trainer have ads?
Neither IFR Trainer Flight Instruments nor Garmin GPS Trainer shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or Garmin GPS Trainer?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, and Garmin GPS Trainer every 3 months. Most recently, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments was updated on October 26, 2026 and Garmin GPS Trainer on October 23, 2026.

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