Comparison

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator vs FlightBoss

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

Head to head
About

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

Practice instrument flight rules (IFR) navigation with this simulator. Learn and improve IFR procedures, including VOR, NDB, and holding patterns. Offers cockpit and map modes with adjustable wind and built-in tasks for comprehensive pilot training.

Highlights
  • Cockpit and map modes
  • VOR, NDB, DME, HSI, EHSI, RMI instruments
  • Approach procedure practice
  • Adjustable wind settings
  • Holding pattern simulation
  • Custom scenario creation
  • Built-in training tasks
Features
Read full description

Flying by instrument flight rules (IFR) is not an easy task, especially for student pilots. With the IFR Flight Trainer Simulator, students can easily develop and experienced pilots can quickly improve their understanding of IFR navigation. This is the perfect app for learning and practicing IFR procedures, and it is much cheaper than a single flight hour. Try it out if you want to acquire an instrument rating or just want to brush up your IFR skills. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator was designed with simplicity and intuitive operability in mind. The instruments available are: VOR, RMI, HSI, EHSI, DME, Directional Gyro and airspeed indicator. Thanks to a NAV 1 and a NAV 2 modes, you will also be able to train for two NDB/VOR approaches. Main features: • COCKPIT/MAP - Use the cockpit mode to practice and use the map mode to set up a scenario and check you progress. Both the aircraft and ground stations can be easily relocated to a new position by dragging and dropping them. • VOR, DME, HSI, EHSI, RMI - This aviation app is carefully designed to reflect the characteristics of different instruments. Choose between VOR or NDB navigation, select your instruments (HSI/EHSI or RMI) and a speed range up to 400 kts. • APPROACH PROCEDURES - IFR Flight Trainer Simulator will help learn how to track a radial, how to intercept a radial outbound, inbound, how to fly a DME arc, and so on. It is the simplest way to learn the navigation procedures inside out! • WIND - Have you become familiar with all the procedures? Add some wind to spice things up. The wind settings are displayed on separate screen, where you can set its direction and speed to increase the challenge. • HOLDING - Set and practice standard or non-standard holding patterns. Test you skills with VOR or NDB fix holdings. You already know where your next flight will happen? Build a scenario for it in the app to practice what awaits you in real life. This way you can practice your flight in a safe environment before facing the real challenge in the cockpit. If you want to learn the essentials, take a look at the built-in tasks as well. All features: • Use the classic or glass cockpit mode to simulate what you see in a real aircraft • Use the map mode to learn and understand the procedures from a third-person point of view • Choose between VOR and NDB navigation • Use the following, carefully designed instruments: RMI, HSI, EHSI, Directional gyro, DME, Airspeed indicator • Fly your own routes by creating challenging scenarios, using holding patterns and adjusting the wind • Test your knowledge through various built-in tasks • Drag & drop the aircraft or ground station symbols to move them around quickly • Turn the aircraft with 1.5°/s, 3°/s (standard), 6°/s and 9°/s modes, or just simply rotate the compass dial • View your flight path by enabling the aircraft track trail • Simulate winds up to 50 kts • Practice IFR flying procedures by generating random scenarios Download the app to see for yourself whether we can help you learn the essentials of IFR navigation. Try it for free and prepare at home without wasting expensive flight or simulator time.

About

FlightBoss

Manage aircraft maintenance, inspections, and flight logs with automated alerts and digital document storage. Track compliance, log flight hours, and communicate with co-owners seamlessly. Offers a free trial for new users.

Highlights
  • Flight log tracking (Hobbs/Tach)
  • Maintenance and inspection management
  • Automated compliance alerts (FAA Part 91)
  • Customizable inspection tracking
  • Digital logbook
  • Document archiving
  • Multi-owner functionality
Features
Read full description

FlightBoss is a one-stop solution for any plane owner to track a flight log by Hobbs/Tach time, to manage regular maintenance including squawks and VFR/IFR inspections. FlightBoss tracks compliance with all FAA Part 91 aircraft airworthiness inspections plus it provides unlimited custom alerts specific to your aircraft. Download a free trial version of the App today. Track VFR and IFR compliance requirements including ELT, Annual, Transponder, Pitot System, Registration, VOR, Insurance, and GPS database currency with just a few clicks. Set automated email and app alerts based on your desired notification settings for inspections and maintenance. Capture photo, description, and airplane status with a few clicks when you identify unscheduled maintenance. Send squawks to your mechanic for airworthiness confirmation right from the app. Multi-Owner functionality ensures you stay in sync with other owners of the airplane. Communicate critical airworthiness information to partners within seconds. Create a digital logbook that is used to trigger inspections, maintenance, and other Tach/Hobbs time alerts. Digital archive of all your most valuable documents. Upload your POH by section, Insurance, Weight and Balance, identification, STCs, and more. Streamline Your Flight Operations Today. FlightBoss subscription is a month-to-month subscription or annual that begins at sign up (New users are eligible for a one month free trial as well). You can easily cancel anytime, online, 24 hours a day. There are no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. We just want you to love the amazing features FlightBoss has the offer. A few of these features are listed below - Accommodates Multi-Owner Aircraft - iOS, iPhone, and iPad Compatible - Automated Inspection Alerts to Keep You Informed - Unlimited Custom Inspections for Your Individual Needs - Supports Multi-Engine & Complex Airplanes - Digital Aircraft Logbook to Track Hobbs and Tach Time - Upload and Store critical Documents in One Place - Access From Anywhere You Have Cell Service or WiFi You can learn more about pricing and subscription by visiting our website: https://flightboss.com Privacy Policy - https://flightboss.com/privacy-policy Terms & Conditions - http://flightboss.com/terms-conditions/

Screenshots

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator4 screens
FlightBoss4 screens

Verdict

The call

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator and FlightBoss both sit at 3.9 stars, but that hides the real split: 82% of IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's written reviews are positive against 50% of FlightBoss's. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator also leads on ratings volume (76 vs 10). FlightBoss's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 18.6). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases 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 Flight Trainer Simulator sells 2 one-off in-app purchases and FlightBoss sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 3.9 for IFR Flight Trainer Simulator against 3.8 for FlightBoss. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: IFR Flight Trainer Simulator has 76 ratings behind it against 10, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 82% of IFR Flight Trainer Simulator's written reviews are positive against 50% of FlightBoss's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator ships an update every 3 months, FlightBoss every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 13, 2026 and October 4, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator versus FlightBoss: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterIFR Flight Trainer SimulatorFlightBoss
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.9 (76 ratings) — better3.8 (10 ratings)
Positive reviews81.5% of reviews — better50.0% of reviews
Number of ratings76 — better10
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPod
Requires iOS18.613.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size155 MB28 MB
Age rating+44+
DeveloperFlygo-Aviation LtdRussell Aviation

Customer experience

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

All ratings76 ratings
Positive71.1%
Neutral6.6%
Negative22.4%
Written reviews130 reviews
Positive81.5%
Neutral4.6%
Negative13.8%

FlightBoss

All ratings10 ratings
Positive60.0%
Neutral10.0%
Negative30.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral25.0%
Negative25.0%

Bugs and requests

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

Reported bugs

6 issues
  • App crashes after short usage periods
  • Heading indicator gets stuck causing continuous turning
  • HSI radials appear to be offset or incorrect
  • DME distance calculations may be inaccurate (slant range issue)
  • Task completion triggers before reaching waypoints
Show 1 more
  • OBS cannot be changed without paid upgrade

Requested features

8 requests
  • Standard rate turn simulation for realistic intercepts and holdings
  • LOC (Localizer) mode for HSI reverse sensing practice
  • Fixed-card ADF instrument option
  • Adjustable turn rate settings to match different aircraft
  • Error feedback display showing incorrect flight paths
Show 3 more
  • Bearing and course to station relative to VOR1/VOR2
  • Higher difficulty levels for advanced pilots
  • Extended free trial period for proper app evaluation

FlightBoss

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

In-app purchases

2 purchases

IFR Flight Trainer Simulator

One-time2
  • IFR Simulator Half Price$11.99
  • IFR Simulator Unlock$24.99
2 purchases

FlightBoss

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription14 Days trial$14.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription14 Days trial$129.991 Year

Questions

Is IFR Flight Trainer Simulator free?
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FlightBoss free?
FlightBoss is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or FlightBoss?
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator is rated higher. IFR Flight Trainer Simulator averages 3.9 out of 5 from 76 ratings, while FlightBoss averages 3.8 from 10 ratings.
Do IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or FlightBoss have ads?
Neither IFR Flight Trainer Simulator nor FlightBoss shows ads.
Which is updated more often, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator or FlightBoss?
IFR Flight Trainer Simulator ships an update every 3 months, and FlightBoss every 3 weeks. Most recently, IFR Flight Trainer Simulator was updated on October 13, 2026 and FlightBoss on October 4, 2026.

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