Comparison

Pilot Display vs iTAK

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

Head to head
About

Pilot Display

This app serves as a companion for ARS and ION devices, offering pilots navigational aid and real-time aircraft information. Passengers can also view live video feeds and data overlays for enhanced situational awareness.

Highlights
  • Live streaming video (up to 3 channels)
  • Customizable data overlays (over 20 fields)
  • Multiple video layout options
  • Gimbal, Marker, Vehicle Follow, and Camera Follow modes
  • User-configurable display fields and text color
  • Support for various measurement units
Features
Read full description

Pilot Display is the iOS companion application for the Shotover Systems ARS and ION devices. Pilot Display is designed to be viewed by the pilot to provide a navigational aid when flying to a location, or a search pattern. The application can also be used by any passengers or crew who may be interested in information about the aircraft or viewing live video. Pilot Display supports live streaming video for up to three channels. You can view what the cameras are recording or what the ARS screen is displaying all in real-time. Flick up or down on the video to switch channels. Tap the screen to show the settings option and configure Pilot Display. Flick left and right to change the view. Video can be turned on or off at any time and viewed in three different layouts: - Thumbnail Video - Full Screen Video - Full Screen Video with Overlays Pilot Display provides lots of data overlays. Over 20 different data fields are available depending on the current system mode. Gimbal Mode provides information about the gimbal and camera: - Aircraft Absolute Heading - Camera Field of View - Camera Slant Range - Camera Target Absolute Heading - Camera Target Relative Heading - Camera Elevation Absolute Angle - Aircraft Altitude (AMSL / AGL) - Aircraft Speed - Orbit Helper Radius - TGT Coordinates Marker Mode provides information about a specific point of interest in addition to all of the Gimbal Mode information: - Marker Address - Marker Absolute Heading - Marker Relative Heading - Marker Estimated Time to Arrival - Marker Estimated Time Enroute - Marker Ground Distance - Marker Coordinates Vehicle Follow Mode provides information about a search pattern, plus most of the Gimbal Mode information: - Offset shows how far left or right of the ideal search pattern the aircraft is - Next Waypoint Estimated Time To Arrival - Next Waypoint Estimated Time Enroute - Distance Remaining in Search Pattern - Distance Completed in Search Pattern - Distance to next waypoint Camera Follow Mode provides information about a camera search pattern including most information from the Gimbal and Vehicle Follow Modes. No offset is provided in this mode. All fields are user reconfigurable - just tap and select to customize your layout. You can even select the color of the text for enhanced visibility. Fields can be viewed in several measurement units. Your mission system will need to be configured to use a WIFI access point if not already installed. Please contact your support representative to discuss updating and enabling the Pilot Display feature. Please note that ION support will require software version 2.X or above.

About

iTAK

This app provides real-time collaborative mapping and team tracking. Share locations, sensor data, videos, and chat with your team. Supports online and offline mapping with various data formats.

Highlights
  • Real-time team tracking
  • Collaborative mapping
  • Online and offline mapping
  • KML/KMZ/GeoPDF overlay import
  • Chat and file sharing
  • Live video streaming
  • Navigation tools
Features
Read full description

**Compatible with ALL TAK ecosystem (TAK server, WinTAK, ATAK, WebTAK)** The Team Awareness Kit (TAK) (known as the Tactical Assault Kit in the Department of Defense) application: iTAK is a collaborative geospatial application to see your teams’ locations, sensor information, videos, chat, and more in real-time. iTAK supports Department of Defense (DoD) and commercial sector standards for icons, sensor information, and communication. Data can be pre-loaded into iTAK or downloaded from the network (via TAK Server) when available. iTAK capabilities include: • Online and offline mapping (most standard formats), download the maps right in the app • Blue force / team tracking (BFT) • Collaborative mapping, including points, drawings, locations of interest • Import and display of KML, KMZ, GeoPDF overlays • Location marking, sharing, with photo tagging • Chat, file sharing, photo sharing • Live video streaming with the ability to share video links • Spotted map to mark and share multiple locations across your map • Digital pointer to rapidly mark and share items on the map with your team • Navigation-walking/hiking, driving, also useful flying and air-ground coordination • Center on self or other objects (e.g. another person in the network) • Range, bearing measurement tools • Team Emergency Beacons • Customizable toolbar • 3D perspective • All data is secured and fully compatibility with the TAK ecosystem (ATAK, TAK Server, WinTAK) • Useful for law enforcement, first responders, hunting, fishing, ornithology, wildlife site survey System Requirements Operating System: iOS version 17 and later.

Screenshots

Pilot Display4 screens
iTAK4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Pilot Display at 100% against iTAK's 41%. Pilot Display also leads on rating (4.0 vs 3.6) and iOS requirement (15.0 vs 17.6). iTAK's advantage is ratings volume (155 vs 1) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 2 months). 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. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Pilot Display holds the better App Store score, 4.0 against 3.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: iTAK has 155 ratings behind it against 1, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 100% of Pilot Display's written reviews are positive against 41% of iTAK's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Pilot Display ships an update every 2 months, iTAK every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on June 11, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
Pilot Display versus iTAK: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterPilot DisplayiTAK
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.0 (1 ratings) — better3.6 (155 ratings)
Positive reviews100.0% of reviews — better41.4% of reviews
Number of ratings1155 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFreeFree
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.6
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB276 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperEarthscapeUnited States Department of the Army, TAK Product Center

Customer experience

Pilot Display

All ratings1 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

iTAK

All ratings155 ratings
Positive56.8%
Neutral19.4%
Negative23.9%
Written reviews99 reviews
Positive41.4%
Neutral28.3%
Negative30.3%

Bugs and requests

Pilot Display

Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.

iTAK

Reported bugs

23 issues
  • App crashes when exporting data packages
  • App crashes when uploading files with local data
  • App crashes when importing overlays
  • App crashes when changing map types
  • App crashes when creating missions
Show 18 more
  • App freezes when handling large numbers of objects (15+)
  • Indoor mapping causes app shutdown
  • Markers disappear on app reopening
  • Markers don't sync deletion status with ATAK users
  • HTTP video stream links don't work
  • Mesh network mode not functioning properly
  • Settings reset to defaults on restart
  • Toolbar disappears randomly
  • Notification badges don't clear properly
  • Unable to rename points of interest
  • Duplicate server entries appear
  • Unexpected shutdowns and crashes
  • Connection failures to TAK servers
  • Message notifications not appearing on iPhone
  • App won't launch after deletion/reinstallation
  • Data Sync broken in version 2.10.1
  • Overlay import causes instant crash
  • Markers become invisible with ArcGIS updates

Requested features

23 requests
  • Meshtastic and LoRa device support
  • GRG (Grid Reference Graphic) functionality
  • Mesh network integration (GoTenna, Beartooth)
  • Plugin support system
  • Google Maps or alternative map providers
Show 18 more
  • Offline map download capability
  • Angular measurement unit conversion (degrees to mil)
  • Nautical miles unit of measurement
  • Video stream support (HTTP/RTSP)
  • CASEVAC calling functionality
  • Polar plot tool
  • Data package import from Android ATAK
  • Bluetooth radio integration
  • Apple Watch companion app
  • Ability to edit and delete toolbar items
  • True/Magnetic bearing distinction
  • Point dragging and repositioning
  • Contact/team management system
  • Mission creation and editing
  • Windows TAK Server version
  • Improved notification system
  • Chinese language support
  • Better documentation and tutorials

In-app purchases

None

Pilot Display

No in-app purchases

None

iTAK

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Pilot Display free?
Pilot Display is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is iTAK free?
iTAK is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, Pilot Display or iTAK?
Pilot Display is rated higher. Pilot Display averages 4.0 out of 5 from 1 ratings, while iTAK averages 3.6 from 155 ratings.
Do Pilot Display or iTAK have ads?
Neither Pilot Display nor iTAK shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Pilot Display or iTAK?
Pilot Display ships an update every 2 months, and iTAK every 3 weeks. Most recently, Pilot Display was updated on June 11, 2026 and iTAK on September 24, 2026.

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