Comparison

Airmate vs Aviate AX1

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

Head to head
About

Airmate

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
Read full description

Airmate is a free and easy to use flight planning and weather app for pilots, improving situational awareness and providing instant access to airport data and aviation maps, up to date weather and NOTAMs, traffic around. IFR and VFR airport plates are freely available in US (FAA charts), Europe, and more than 200 other countries. Many of them are georeferenced and could be overlaid on the aviation chart. A powerful Plate Manager allows to download in advance all airport plates in a country, they could be easily printed and viewed. During the flight, the moving map will display the aircraft location along the route, show airports and aeronautical data details and traffic around, warn you if your planned route is crossing restricted areas. A profile view is available to display terrain elevation, crossed areas and forecasted weather across the route. Airmate can also display a backup aircraft attitude indicator and flight parameters in an EFIS-like view. In the whole world, Synthetic Vision displaying in the EFIS-like view the ups and downs of rolling terrain ahead is available. In selected countries, Airmate can display scenery if this option is purchased. Airmate includes a worldwide aeronautical database updated free of charge with airports, navigation beacons, waypoints, airways, obstacles, regulated and restricted areas. Topographic maps and elevation data for most countries may be downloaded free of charge, as well as additional aviation map overlays such US Sectionals. A procedure database provide details of departure (SID), arrival (STAR) and instrument approaches in the USA, and you could add those procedures to your planned flight route (the procedure database includes all US airports, we are workding to add airports in other countries). Once loaded, the procedure path is displayed on the aeronautical map, including curved paths and racetracks. When coupled with a supported external ADS-B received, Airmate will display nearby traffic on the moving map, and receive FIS-B weather and NOTAM during the flight. To improve safety, Airmate can display neighbouring traffic received over mobile network. Such traffic include commercial airlines and transponder-equiped aircrafts, FLARM gliders, aircrafts whose pilots are using Airmate and other users using other safety broadcasting equipment. Airmate is able to transmit the flight plan data to supported avionics such Dynon SkyView. Thanks to the Auto Route feature, you could search and select the best route for your flight, and then file your VFR or IFR flight plan. Once filed, your flight plan could easily be managed, delayed or cancelled. Airmate will also record your flights and allow to replay them later or export the flight path in gpx format, you could take pictures from the app during flights. Pilot log entries are automatically computed from flown flights. A Satellite map display mode in flight planning or replay mode allows to familiarize with significant landmarks. Airmate will save planned and flown flights, user waypoints and user aircrafts in the cloud and sync them between your devices and Airmate web flight planning. Airmate brings numerous social features to the community. Pilots may leave ratings, tips and comments to share their experience with fellow pilots, and report fuel prices and landing fees. They could find friends, instructors, flight schools, aviation events and aircraft to rent near their home airport or any visited airport. Airmate may be connected to most flight simulators to keep flying skills sharp, and will manage also AHRS and simulated traffic data transmitted by the flight simulator. Planned flights and personal waypoints may be imported and exported. Continued use of GPS running in the background can dramatically decrease battery life. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

About

Aviate AX1

Features
Read full description

https://youtu.be/f6yj5qQXM5s Designed for general aviation and simulation pilots, our app provides real-time position and motion tracking and flight route display. Enhance your flight planning and situational awareness with integrated VFR maps, airport, airspace, and weather information. Whether you're on a cross-country flight, practicing maneuvers, or planning a route through controlled airspace, our app ensures you stay informed at all times. Track your flight with precision, record motion data for offline analysis, and gain deeper insights into your journey—all in one powerful tool. See this video for information about the app features and how to use it! https://youtu.be/f6yj5qQXM5s Key Features for Every Aviator ============================== Live Flight Tracking and Display ------------------------------------------- Plan and track your airplane as you navigate along your route. Navigate to one of the over 1200 airports in the US as you view weather data and airport information to plan your flight. Quickly access vital airport data, including runway details, frequencies, and operational information. Stay clear of restricted and controlled airspace with real-time airspace overlays, helping you make informed in-flight decisions. Flight Tracking & Motion Analysis --------------------------------- Log your flights automatically and record location, speed, altitude, and motion data for post-flight review. This feature is ideal for students, instructors, and experienced pilots looking to analyze their performance, improve navigation skills, or review flight paths offline. Optimized Performance & Adaptive Tile Caching --------------------------------------------- Experience seamless map rendering with our intelligent tile caching system. The app preloads necessary map tiles based on flight direction and speed while prioritizing the most relevant data, minimizing memory usage without sacrificing detail. X-Plane Integration ------------------------------------------------ Track and store your X-Plane flights with one switch in the app, and one in X-Plane. All functionality that you have in the cockpit can be used on the simulator as well, so feel free to practice your flying and navigating on the ground. Offline Functionality – No Internet? No Problem! ------------------------------------------------ Fly with confidence even when you lose connectivity. Your flight data remains accessible, and previously loaded maps stay available for reference, ensuring you always have the information you need. Secure & Private Data Handling ------------------------------ Your flight logs and motion data are stored securely, ensuring privacy while allowing you to access them whenever needed. No unwanted tracking—just the tools you need to enhance your flying experience. Who Is This App For? -------------------- * Student Pilots – Improve situational awareness and review training flights with motion data and GPS tracking. * Private & Recreational Pilots – Plan and execute VFR flights with confidence, using real-time location tracking and airspace overlays. * Simulation Pilots - Seamlessly integrates with X-Plane, with data displays and flight tracking. * Flight Instructors – Monitor student flights and provide detailed feedback with post-flight analysis tools. * Aviation Enthusiasts – Explore sectional charts, track personal flights, and deepen your understanding of airspace navigation. Take Your Flying to the Next Level ---------------------------------- Whether you're flying for training, recreation, or profession, this app provides essential tools for safe, efficient, and informed navigation. Experience the next level of VFR flight awareness with a fast, reliable, and intuitive aviation tool—all in the palm of your hand. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Airmate4 screens
Aviate AX14 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Aviate AX1 at every 3 weeks against Airmate's every 6 weeks. Airmate's advantage is iOS requirement (12.0 vs 18.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases 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

Both are free to download. Airmate sells 21 in-app purchases, starting at $24.99 per year and Aviate AX1 sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $9.99 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, Aviate AX1 every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 22, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Airmate versus Aviate AX1: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterAirmateAviate AX1
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.5 (547 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews75.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings547 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 6 weeksEvery 3 weeks — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS12.0 — better18.0
Further details — not scored
Size220 MB119 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperMyriel Aviation SAIO Aeronautical Autonomy Labs Inc

In-app purchases

21 purchases

Airmate

Subscriptions2
  • Airmate Premium$24.991 Year
  • Photorealistic terrain display$47.991 Year
One-time19
  • Flight plan filing token$1.99
  • Token for 1 year chart access$3.99
  • Support Airmate development!$4.99
Show 16 more
  • Argentina Center VFR 2022$4.99
  • Chile North VFR chart 2022$4.99
  • Chile Santiago VFR chart 2022$4.99
  • Argentina/Chile South VFR 2022$4.99
  • Support Airmate development!$8.99
  • Chart download token$8.99
  • Italy North Avioportolano 2022$11.99
  • Support Airmate development!$17.99
  • Airmate Pro version$22.99
  • Tunisia VFR Air Million 2024$24.99
  • Skyguide Swiss VFR Airport Plates (with one year updates)$36.99
  • Airmate Dispatcher$44.99
  • Avioportolano VFR Airfield Plates for Italy (one year subscription)$46.99
  • Airport Plates premium browser$54.99
  • UAE 2023 Rogers Data$79.99
  • UAE 2025 Rogers Data$89.99
1 purchases

Aviate AX1

Subscriptions1
  • AX1 Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$9.991 Month

Questions

Is Airmate free?
Airmate is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Aviate AX1 free?
Aviate AX1 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Airmate or Aviate AX1 have ads?
Neither Airmate nor Aviate AX1 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Airmate or Aviate AX1?
Airmate ships an update every 6 weeks, and Aviate AX1 every 3 weeks. Most recently, Airmate was updated on October 24, 2026 and Aviate AX1 on October 22, 2026.

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