# Airmate vs Altimeter for Aviators

Airmate and Altimeter for Aviators are too close to call on the numbers: across 10 compared parameters — price, rating, review sentiment and ratings volume among them — neither pulls far enough ahead to decide it. What separates them is feature set and interface, not measurable difference.

Both are free to download. Airmate sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year and Altimeter for Aviators sells 2 one-off in-app purchases. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.5 for Airmate against 4.7 for Altimeter for Aviators. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 548 and 583 respectively. Written reviews split almost evenly too, at 75% and 76% positive.

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, Altimeter for Aviators every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 26, 2026 and October 25, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Airmate | Altimeter for Aviators |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.5 (548 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airmate/id998181102/reviews) | **[4.7 (583 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altimeter-for-aviators/id1463100680/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 548 | **583** |
| Positive reviews | 75.0% of reviews | **75.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks | **Every 5 weeks** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Size | 220 MB | 2 MB |
| Requires iOS | 12.0 | 12.0 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | **iPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch** |
| Age rating | 4+ | +4 |
| Developer | [Myriel Aviation SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/998181101) | [STEARsoft](https://appshunter.io/developer/373730382) |

## 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 |


### Altimeter for Aviators

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/altimeter-for-aviators/id1463100680)

This app functions as a pressure altimeter, similar to those found in aircraft, utilizing your device's barometer. It's designed for pilots and aviation enthusiasts to understand altitude, height above a location, and flight levels. It works as a standalone Apple Watch app or on iPhones/iPads with a barometer.

**Highlights:** Pressure altimeter functionality, Standalone Apple Watch app, Calculates altitude above sea level, Calculates height above a specific location (QFE), Calculates Flight Level (FL) using standard pressure, Supports pressure units (inHg, hPa, mb)

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Apple Watch app, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VSI | $1.99 | one-time |
| Altitude Units | $1.99 | one-time |

**What reviewers like**

- 👍 Simple and intuitive user interface
- ✈️ Accurate altimeter representation for pilots
- ⌚ Works well on Apple Watch
- 🎯 Easy pressure setting adjustment like real cockpit
- 📱 No GPS required for operation

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 App crashes or stops working after iOS updates
- 📵 Inconsistent performance across Watch models
- 🔴 Watch display shows red/no reading on some devices
- 📧 Poor developer communication and contact options
- 💰 Upsell prompts not clearly disclosed

**Reported bugs**

- App hangs on 'reading pressure' with Apple Watch 8
- Watch complication shows dashed line instead of altitude
- Incompatibility with iOS 17.4
- Watch app graphics fuzzy/wrong resolution
- Crown and long press unresponsive on Watch 8

**Requested features**

- CarPlay integration and widget support
- Night mode with dark theme
- Keep screen on while flying option
- Drum pointer altimeter display option
- Digital altitude readout option


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Airmate free?

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

### Is Altimeter for Aviators free?

Altimeter for Aviators is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Airmate or Altimeter for Aviators?

Altimeter for Aviators is rated higher. Airmate averages 4.5 out of 5 from 548 ratings, while Altimeter for Aviators averages 4.7 from 583 ratings.

### Do Airmate or Altimeter for Aviators have ads?

Neither Airmate nor Altimeter for Aviators shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Airmate or Altimeter for Aviators?

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, and Altimeter for Aviators every 5 weeks. Most recently, Airmate was updated on October 26, 2026 and Altimeter for Aviators on October 25, 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.*