# Airmate vs Sofia VAC

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Airmate at 75% against Sofia VAC's 25%. Airmate also leads on update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 3 months) and iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.6). Sofia VAC's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Airmate sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year. Sofia VAC asks for nothing beyond the download.

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, Sofia VAC every 3 months. The most recent releases landed on November 6, 2026 and November 3, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Airmate | Sofia VAC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | **[4.5 (549 ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/airmate/id998181102/reviews)** | — |
| Number of ratings | **549** | — |
| Positive reviews | **74.8% of reviews** | 25.0% of reviews |
| In-app purchases | Yes | **No** |
| Ads | No | No |
| Update frequency | **Every 6 weeks** | Every 3 months |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | **Free** |
| Size | 220 MB | 25 MB |
| Requires iOS | **12.0** | 15.6 |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Myriel Aviation SA](https://appshunter.io/developer/998181101) | [DIR SERVICES DE NAVIGATION AERIENNE](https://appshunter.io/developer/1519391493) |

## 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 (10)**

| 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 |
| Support Airmate development! | $8.99 | one-time |
| Chart download token | $8.99 | one-time |
| Support Airmate development! | $17.99 | one-time |
| Airmate Pro version | $22.99 | one-time |
| Airmate Dispatcher | $44.99 | one-time |


### Sofia VAC

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sofia-vac/id1519391491)

This app provides access to French aeronautical information, including airfield details and dynamic VAC maps. Users can search for airfields by name or code, filter by runway characteristics, and download maps for offline use. It offers personalized map views with various airspace and navigational point overlays.

**Highlights:** Search airfields by name, ICAO code, or map, Filter airfields by runway length and surface, Consult dynamic VAC maps, Personalize map views with airspaces and VFR points, Download maps for offline access, Receive update notifications

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

**In-app purchases:** none


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Airmate free?

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

### Is Sofia VAC free?

Sofia VAC is free to download, with no in-app purchases.

### Do Airmate or Sofia VAC have ads?

Neither Airmate nor Sofia VAC shows ads.

### Which is updated more often, Airmate or Sofia VAC?

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, and Sofia VAC every 3 months. Most recently, Airmate was updated on November 6, 2026 and Sofia VAC on November 3, 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.*