# Airmate vs fDeck

The clearest difference is rating: fDeck at 4.8 against Airmate's 4.5. fDeck also leads on review sentiment (90% vs 75%) and update cadence (every 3 weeks vs every 6 weeks). Airmate's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 16.0). On price, ratings volume, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Airmate sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year and fDeck sells 3 in-app purchases, starting at $1.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

fDeck holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 545 and 328 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 75% of Airmate's written reviews are positive against 90% of fDeck's.

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, fDeck every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on September 24, 2026 and September 23, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Airmate | fDeck |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (545 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airmate/id998181102/reviews) | **[4.8 (328 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fdeck-flight-instruments/id1265762347/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | **545** | 328 |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | **90.0% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 3 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 220 MB | 137 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 16.0 |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, iPod** | iPhone, iPad |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Myriel Aviation SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/998181101) | [Darren Yeates](https://appshunter.io/developer/1265762346) |

## What reviewers say

### Airmate

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airmate/id998181102)

This app provides pilots with comprehensive flight planning tools, including weather forecasts, airport data, and navigation charts. It enhances situational awareness with a moving map, traffic displays, and terrain elevation views. Pilots can also file flight plans and record their flights.

**Highlights:** Flight planning and weather forecasts, Airport data and aviation maps, Moving map with aircraft location, Traffic and terrain elevation display, Flight plan filing and management, Flight recording and replay, ADS-B traffic and weather reception

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (21)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Airmate Premium | $24.99 | per year |
| Photorealistic terrain display | $47.99 | per year |
| Flight plan filing token | $1.99 | one-time |
| Token for 1 year chart access | $3.99 | one-time |
| Support Airmate development! | $4.99 | one-time |
| Argentina Center VFR 2022 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chile North VFR chart 2022 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Chile Santiago VFR chart 2022 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Argentina/Chile South VFR 2022 | $4.99 | one-time |
| Support Airmate development! | $8.99 | one-time |
| Chart download token | $8.99 | one-time |
| Italy North Avioportolano 2022 | $11.99 | one-time |
| Support Airmate development! | $17.99 | one-time |
| Airmate Pro version | $22.99 | one-time |
| Tunisia VFR Air Million 2024 | $24.99 | one-time |
| Skyguide Swiss VFR Airport Plates (with one year updates) | $36.99 | one-time |
| Airmate Dispatcher | $44.99 | one-time |
| Avioportolano VFR Airfield Plates for Italy (one year subscription) | $46.99 | one-time |
| Airport Plates premium browser | $54.99 | one-time |
| UAE 2023 Rogers Data | $79.99 | one-time |
| UAE 2025 Rogers Data | $89.99 | one-time |


### fDeck

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fdeck-flight-instruments/id1265762347)

This app provides a comprehensive flight deck with realistic instruments for aviation enthusiasts and pilots. It includes navigation tools, real-time weather, and traffic data, functioning as both a training aid and a supplementary instrument set.

**Highlights:** Realistic flight instruments (HSI, VOR, ADF, etc.), Interactive aviation moving map, Live weather and ADS-B traffic data, Radio navigation training simulation, Worldwide aviation database, X-Plane flight simulator integration

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (3)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| fDeck monthly lounge access | $1.99 | per month |
| fDeck annual lounge access | $14.99 | per year |
| fDeck lifetime lounge access | $29.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Extremely easy to use and navigate
- 💡 Comprehensive aviation instruments (compass, altimeter, VSI, attitude indicator, ADF, VOR, HSI)
- 🎯 Useful for training, learning, and practice
- ✈️ Reliable backup instrument for real flights
- 🗺️ Integrated map and flight planning features

**What reviewers complain about**

- 📺 Intrusive ads in free version (full-screen, hard to close)
- 🔄 Compass and map pointer display inverted on some devices
- 🗺️ Map loading issues and missing sectional charts
- 🔌 X-Plane simulator connection glitchy and unreliable
- 📱 No iPad split-screen support

**Reported bugs**

- Compass inverted display
- Map pointer inverted
- VOR OBS reverse sensing (TO/FROM indication incorrect)
- Maps fail to load/display
- X-Plane simulator connection unreliable

**Requested features**

- Compass horizontal configuration support (180 degrees)
- CarPlay functionality for in-vehicle navigation
- EFIS version for advanced glass cockpit simulation
- Local NOTAM integration
- CAA airspace overlay for UK users


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Airmate free?

Airmate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is fDeck free?

fDeck is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Airmate or fDeck?

fDeck is rated higher. Airmate averages 4.5 out of 5 from 545 ratings, while fDeck averages 4.8 from 328 ratings.

### Do Airmate or fDeck have ads?

Neither Airmate nor fDeck shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Airmate or fDeck?

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, and fDeck every 3 weeks. Most recently, Airmate was updated on September 24, 2026 and fDeck on September 23, 2026.

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*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*