Comparison

On Instruments vs RFS

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

Head to head
About

On Instruments

Hone your instrument flying skills with this simulator. Navigate various courses by precisely managing heading, altitude, and airspeed. Features multiple difficulty levels, including courses with instrument failures.

Highlights
  • Instrument scanning practice
  • Multiple course difficulties
  • Heading, altitude, airspeed control
  • Attitude Indicator failure simulation
  • Score maximization
Features
Read full description

Practice and hone your IFR instrument scanning skills while playing a variety of courses “On Instruments”. Each course includes a series of heading, altitude, and airspeed changes that must be flown with precision to maximize your score. Courses are divided into Easy, Intermediate and Expert Levels. Additional courses without course guidance are available, as well as a series with an Attitude Indicator failure.

About

RFS

Experience the ultimate flight simulator with realistic aircraft, global scenery, and detailed airports. Engage in real-time multiplayer, manage air traffic as an ATC, and master pilot tutorials. Unlock the full experience with various subscription options.

Highlights
  • 65+ realistic airplane models with 3D cockpits
  • 2400+ detailed HD airports
  • Global satellite scenery and Ultra-HD imagery
  • Real-time flights and weather
  • Global multiplayer with hundreds of pilots
  • ATC mode for managing air traffic
Features
Read full description

EXPERIENCE THE ULTIMATE FLIGHT SIMULATOR ON YOUR MOBILE DEVICE! Take your passion for aviation to new heights with RFS - Real Flight Simulator! Fly realistic aircraft, explore the world from the cockpit, and discover more immersive scenery with 3D Buildings and Ultra-HD Satellite Imagery in selected locations. From your first takeoff to long-haul flights, experience what it means to be a real pilot. FLY NOW, ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD! Take off, land, and complete full flights across a global flight simulation environment. Explore aircraft with 3D live cockpits, navigate detailed airports, create flight plans, and sharpen your skills with pilot tutorials. Discover familiar city skylines and landscapes brought to life with new levels of detail. UNLOCK THE FULL REAL FLIGHT SIMULATOR EXPERIENCE Choose the subscription that fits you: monthly, six-month, or yearly. Join a worldwide community of virtual aviators and access premium flight simulation features. BUCKLE UP AND BECOME A REAL PILOT! Experience the features of a PRO pilot in our realistic airplane simulator: • 65+ AIRPLANE MODELS: Pilot a growing fleet of aircraft with realistic 3D live cockpits, authentic lighting, instruments, and flight systems. • 2400+ HD AIRPORTS: Take off and land at detailed airports with 3D terminals, vehicles, and realistic ground procedures. • 3D BUILDINGS: Discover selected cities reconstructed around real-world building positions, with recognizable urban layouts, shapes, and colors. Fly above streets and neighborhoods that feel closer to the real world. Explore an expanding world of detailed 3D cities, with new areas coming in future updates. • GLOBAL SATELLITE SCENERY: Explore high-definition satellite terrain and elevation maps worldwide, bringing global landscapes to life. • ULTRA-HD SATELLITE IMAGERY: See terrain, roads, and landscapes with remarkable clarity in supported regions, adding a new level of detail from cruising altitude to final approach. Discover new Ultra-HD areas as coverage continues to expand. • REAL-TIME FLIGHTS & WEATHER: Join 40,000+ real-time flights daily with live air traffic and experience real-time weather conditions as you fly. • DETAILED CHECKLISTS: Follow authentic pilot procedures, from preflight preparation to landing. • ADVANCED GROUND SYSTEMS: Interact with refueling trucks, passenger vehicles, and follow-me cars. • ADVANCED FLIGHT PLANNING: Customize weather, system failures, and navigation routes. Share flight plans with other pilots. • AUTOPILOT & ASSISTED LANDING: Use precise autopilot controls and the Automatic Landing System for long-haul flights. ENGAGE IN GLOBAL MULTIPLAYER MODES • Fly with hundreds of other pilots around the world in real-time multiplayer. • Chat with pilots, join weekly events, and take part in Virtual Airlines (VA) to earn Flight Points. ATC MODE: BECOME AN AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER • ATC GAME MODE: Manage air traffic, issue instructions, and guide aircraft safely. • Experience interactive, multi-voice ATC procedures and communications from both sides of the radio. CREATE AND SHARE YOUR AVIATION PASSION • CUSTOMIZE YOUR PLANE: Design unique liveries and share them with the RFS community. • DESIGN YOUR AIRPORT: Build your favorite HD airport and see other pilots use your creation. • PLANE SPOTTING: Capture aircraft against city lights, dramatic clouds, and spectacular sunrises and sunsets. • Discover new flight routes and connect with aviation enthusiasts worldwide. REAL-TIME SIMULATION REQUIREMENTS An internet connection is required for full simulation and multiplayer features. GET READY TO SOAR THE SKIES! Buckle up and become a Real Pilot in RFS - Real Flight Simulator! TERMS OF USE: https://www.rortos.com/terms-of-use/ Support: rfs@rortos.com

Screenshots

On Instruments4 screens
RFS4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: On Instruments at none against RFS's 10. On Instruments also leads on iOS requirement (8.0 vs 15.0). RFS's advantage is update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 8 months) and ratings volume (24K vs 9). On rating, review sentiment, 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

On Instruments costs $2.99 and RFS $0.99 up front. RFS sells 7 in-app purchases, starting at $3.99 per month. On Instruments asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

RFS holds the better App Store score, 4.6 against 4.4. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: RFS has 24K ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 75% of On Instruments's written reviews are positive against 74% of RFS's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

On Instruments ships an update every 8 months, RFS every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 13, 2026 and November 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard7 real differences · 4 level
On Instruments versus RFS: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOn InstrumentsRFS
Price$2.99$0.99 — better
Rating4.4 (9 ratings)4.6 (24K ratings) — better
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews — better73.9% of reviews
Number of ratings924K — better
Update frequencyEvery 8 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaidFree with in-app purchases — better
Best chart rank—#2 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS8.0 — better15.0
Further details — not scored
Size13 MB547 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperAircraft Training Aids, LLCRORTOS SRL

Customer experience

On Instruments

All ratings9 ratings
Positive88.9%
Neutral0.0%
Negative11.1%
Written reviews8 reviews
Positive75.0%
Neutral12.5%
Negative12.5%

RFS

All ratings24,191 ratings
Positive90.8%
Neutral3.2%
Negative6.0%
Written reviews2,791 reviews
Positive73.9%
Neutral9.7%
Negative16.4%

Bugs and requests

On Instruments

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

RFS

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Subscription issues when switching devices
  • Runway and taxiway rendering problems
  • Autopilot disconnects during long flights
  • Inconsistent landing gear and reverse thrust behavior

Requested features

6 requests
  • Add more free aircraft options
  • Improve ATC functionality and realism
  • Implement more advanced camera views (cabin, under-wing, etc.)
  • Add support for external controllers (throttle, etc.)
  • Improve weather effects and turbulence simulation
Show 1 more
  • Expand airport selection, especially in Canada

In-app purchases

None

On Instruments

No in-app purchases

7 purchases

RFS

Subscriptions7
  • RFS Pro (1 month)$3.991 Month
  • RFS Pro (1 month)3 variants$4.991 Month
  • RFS Pro (1 month)$5.991 Month
Show 4 more
  • RFS Pro (1 month)$7.991 Month
  • RFS Pro (6 month)$19.996 Months
  • RFS Pro (1 year)2 variants$29.991 Year
  • RFS Pro (1 year)$39.991 Year

Questions

Is On Instruments free?
On Instruments costs $2.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is RFS free?
RFS costs $0.99, and also offers in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, On Instruments or RFS?
RFS is rated higher. On Instruments averages 4.4 out of 5 from 9 ratings, while RFS averages 4.6 from 24K ratings.
Do On Instruments or RFS have ads?
Neither On Instruments nor RFS shows ads.
Which is updated more often, On Instruments or RFS?
On Instruments ships an update every 8 months, and RFS every 3 weeks. Most recently, On Instruments was updated on November 13, 2026 and RFS on November 14, 2026.

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