Comparison

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments vs IFR Flight Simulator

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

IFR Flight Simulator

This aviation simulator helps pilots master IFR procedures and prepare for instrument ratings. Practice holdings, intercepts, and approaches with realistic flight simulation and navigation tools on your phone. Ideal for student and experienced pilots seeking convenient, effective training.

Highlights
  • Realistic aviation training
  • Worldwide flight navigation database
  • Comprehensive training modes
  • Real-time flight simulator
  • Integrated autopilot
  • Optimal holding entry path overlay
Features
Read full description

Practice holdings, radial intercepts, and DME arcs on your phone before your next simulator session. Calculate the procedure, fly it with live instruments, and review your track in the debrief. IFR Flight Simulator combines focused IFR procedure training with real-time flight simulation, worldwide navigation data, and a choice of glass cockpit or classic gauges. What you can practice: • Holding Trainer: Randomized holding situations. Determine the entry, calculate the wind correction angles, then fly the pattern. • Intercept Trainer: Inbound and outbound radial intercepts as well as QDM/QDR intercepts. • DME Arc Trainer: Fly DME arcs and calculate the angle of lead to turn onto the inbound course at the right moment. • Approaches: Set up a final intercept, a position in the pattern (downwind, base, or final), or a full approach at any airport, including ILS. • IFR mental math: Practice entries, wind correction angles, and lead points until the calculations become automatic. Worldwide navigation database: • Navigation data from a recent AIRAC cycle, with worldwide coverage: 13,000+ airports and 10,000+ VORs, NDBs, and other navaids. • Train with real airports and navaids instead of generic exercise locations. Real-time flight simulator: • Modern glass cockpit (PFD and ND) or classic gauges. • Autopilot with rotary controls for heading, altitude, and speed, or fly manually by tilting your device. • Fast-forward mode to repeat procedures efficiently. • Live Map: your position and flight path in real time. • Live Needle Overlay: watch where the HSI and CDI needles actually point as they move with the aircraft symbol across the map. • Optimal Holding Entry Path Overlay: compare your flown track with the wind-corrected entry and holding pattern. • Flight Log with Debrief: every flight is recorded. Replay the track and the needle movement, or resume the flight later. Built for instrument rating training, proficiency practice, and simulator assessments. "I am currently training for my Instrument Rating, and my FI recommended this app to me. I didn't think such a high quality, useful training tool was possible as an app. Incredible for VOR bearings, practicing holds and command headings." App Store review by Sa4mmy Questions or feedback? Reach us at support@ifrsimulator.com. Disclaimer: This application is for training and educational purposes only. It must not be used for real-world flight planning or in-flight decision-making. While the developer strives to provide information and calculations that are as accurate and up-to-date as reasonably possible, they may still be incomplete or inaccurate, and other accepted methods exist for deriving procedures and correction angles. Always verify data against official aeronautical publications and follow the guidance of a certified flight instructor. The developer accepts no responsibility or liability for any errors, omissions, or outcomes arising from use of this software. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments4 screens
IFR Flight Simulator4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: IFR Flight Simulator at weekly against IFR Trainer Flight Instruments's every 6 weeks. IFR Flight Simulator also leads on review sentiment (64% vs 52%) and iOS requirement (15.6 vs 18.6). IFR Trainer Flight Instruments's advantage is rating (4.5 vs 4.3) and ratings volume (952 vs 103). On price, ads, in-app purchases and monetization model 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 and IFR Flight Simulator sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments holds the better App Store score, 4.5 against 4.3. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Trainer Flight Instruments has 952 ratings behind it against 103, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 52% of IFR Trainer Flight Instruments's written reviews are positive against 64% of IFR Flight Simulator's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, IFR Flight Simulator weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 21, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments versus IFR Flight Simulator: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Trainer Flight InstrumentsIFR Flight Simulator
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (952 ratings) — better4.3 (103 ratings)
Positive reviews52.2% of reviews63.6% of reviews — better
Number of ratings952 — better103
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS18.615.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB116 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperFlygo-Aviation LtdTobias Maihoff

Customer experience

IFR Trainer Flight Instruments

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

IFR Flight Simulator

All ratings103 ratings
Positive80.6%
Neutral4.9%
Negative14.6%
Written reviews33 reviews
Positive63.6%
Neutral18.2%
Negative18.2%

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
7 purchases

IFR Flight Simulator

Subscriptions4
  • Full Access2 variants$9.991 Month
  • Full Access7 Days trial$19.993 Months
  • Full Access$19.993 Months
Show 1 more
  • Full Access7 Days trial2 variants$59.991 Year
One-time3
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$49.99
  • SALE % Pro | One-Time Purchase$84.99
  • Pro Access | One-Time Purchase$169.99

Questions

Is IFR Trainer Flight Instruments free?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is IFR Flight Simulator free?
IFR Flight Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or IFR Flight Simulator?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments is rated higher. IFR Trainer Flight Instruments averages 4.5 out of 5 from 952 ratings, while IFR Flight Simulator averages 4.3 from 103 ratings.
Do IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or IFR Flight Simulator have ads?
Neither IFR Trainer Flight Instruments nor IFR Flight Simulator shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments or IFR Flight Simulator?
IFR Trainer Flight Instruments ships an update every 6 weeks, and IFR Flight Simulator weekly. Most recently, IFR Trainer Flight Instruments was updated on September 24, 2026 and IFR Flight Simulator on September 21, 2026.

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