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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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Better options than

FlightAware Flight Tracker alternatives

Users look for FlightAware alternatives due to login issues, inaccurate flight data, and intrusive ads. Alternatives like Flightradar24 and FlightStats offer more reliable tracking and better user experiences, while others struggle with similar issues or high subscription costs.

Why users look for alternatives to FlightAware Flight Tracker

The alternatives

Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker
4.8★ · 641,186 ratings · Free

Flightradar24 is a popular flight tracking app known for displaying a large number of planes and offering detailed flight information . While the free version has frequent and intrusive ads that can cover the screen and redirect to app stores, making it frustrating to use R51R54, many users still find it to be an amazing app for tracking flights R52. It provides features like 3D view and is enjoyed by plane enthusiasts .

Better for: Flightradar24 is better for users who want to see a high volume of planes on the map and enjoy detailed flight tracking, especially if they are willing to tolerate ads or pay for a subscription . It suits plane enthusiasts who spend a lot of time on flight tracking .

Head-to-head: FlightAware Flight Tracker vs Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker
Flight Tracker +
4.7★ · 288,352 ratings · Free

Flight Tracker + used to be a free app but has transitioned to a subscription model, costing around $5.99 a week, which many users find predatory and too expensive R65R68. The free version is now considered unusable due to endless ads and demands to upgrade R66. While the paid version offers important information like current flight status and gate details, and automatic flight updates, some users report it can be unreliable in finding confirmed flights that other apps track .

Better for: This app might suit frequent flyers who are willing to pay a high weekly subscription for automatic flight updates and gate information, provided they don't encounter the reliability issues reported by some .

Head-to-head: FlightAware Flight Tracker vs Flight Tracker +
Flighty
4.8★ · 140,322 ratings · Free

There are too few reviews for Flighty to provide a comprehensive pitch.

Better for: There are too few reviews for Flighty to determine who it suits better.

Head-to-head: FlightAware Flight Tracker vs Flighty
Planes Live
4.6★ · 93,103 ratings · Free

Planes Live was once a good app but has become almost unusable in its free version due to constant ads and frequent freezing R82. Users report issues with missing flight data and planes not showing up properly, even when updated R79R81. Some users also reported graphic adult ads appearing in the app . The app's layout has changed, and some preferred older features like seeing a close image of the plane overhead or aircraft pictures .

Better for: This app is not recommended for users seeking a reliable, ad-free, or accurate flight tracker in its current state R82.

Head-to-head: FlightAware Flight Tracker vs Planes Live
FlightStats
4.8★ · 78,630 ratings · Free

FlightStats is praised for being accurate and providing pertinent information like gate and terminal details R94. It's considered a great tool for peace of mind, especially for parents tracking family members . Many users find it easy to use and appreciate its live flight tracking map, with some noting it's free . However, some users report issues with incorrect gate information, difficulty creating free accounts, and occasional crashes R93R95. There are also concerns about clickbait ads related to plane crashes .

Better for: FlightStats is better for users who prioritize accurate gate and terminal information and a reliable live tracking map, especially if they are tracking family and value peace of mind R94. It suits those who appreciate a free option, though account creation can be problematic R95.

Head-to-head: FlightAware Flight Tracker vs FlightStats
Stick with FlightAware Flight Tracker if

You should stick with FlightAware Flight Tracker if you find it reliable for tracking specific aircraft registrations and receiving alerts, and if you value its detailed information on flight status, speed, and altitude . It's also a good choice if you appreciate a free app that is concise and easy to use, as long as you don't mind the ads or are willing to pay the £5 a year to remove them R30R48R50. Some users also prefer it over Flightradar24 for better quality route logging and faster aircraft pickup .

Evidence note: Flighty has too few reviews to provide a detailed assessment.

Frequently asked

Is FlightAware Flight Tracker free?
Yes, FlightAware Flight Tracker is free to use, but it includes ads unless you pay an annual subscription of approximately £5 to remove them R6R30R50.
Does FlightAware require an account to use?
Some users report that the free version requires an account and login, which they find frustrating R1.
Are there issues with FlightAware's accuracy?
Yes, several users report that FlightAware frequently provides incorrect or outdated flight details, such as showing flights as departed when they are still at the gate, or failing to update delays R7R10R15R39.
What are common complaints about FlightAware's user experience?
Common complaints include slow loading times, a clunky interface, difficulty finding flights, and visual clutter from too many white lines on the map R4R12R33R37.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 106 real reviews (foreign ones translated). Superscripts jump to the quote here. Apple has no per-review links, so [ref] opens that app's reviews on the App Store.

  1. [R1] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB NO!!: I won’t open an account and log in to use free version… goodbye!!
  2. [R9] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · GB Authentication syndrome: I’ve been member for 15 years and never such a paranoia. You put your password and they email an authentication code, you put that in , the next step shows a QR code and the app asks you to scan the QR code!? What kind of idiot thought of that idea? How would you scan your screen with the device that you’re using. It’s quite sad to see the human intelligence degraded to su
  3. [R17] FlightAware Flight Tracker 4/5 · GB Jan Mac: Downloaded but still can’t get on
  4. [R21] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Login issues: I have an account and I pay an annual add free version , but I am unable to login with my email , Nit, doesn’t accept the email A/ code I receive with email, please help ?
  5. [R3] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · GB TUI Flights: Not being tracked, having to use other apps and websites to do this.
  6. [R7] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB It did not update with the delay: It did not update with the delay on 6/1/2025
  7. [R10] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Wrong, wrong, wrong: More often than not, this app seems to get details of flights wrong. It is especially annoying when it says my flight has taken off when, in fact, it is still at the departure gate. Until the app improves its accuracy, I cannot recommend it.
  8. [R15] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · GB Why a double entry: Used to think this app was good. Currently tracking a flight that I know is delayed. The app shows me two identical entries for the same flight and both show only the original scheduled departure time
  9. [R6] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · GB Can’t Subscribe to Remove Ads: Lovely app, and I’d be happy to pay a one off sum to remove ads, but that requires a subscription! Not a chance in the world. The ads are irritating but I’ll delete the app rather than subscribe for no extra features.
  10. [R30] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · GB Flight aware app: Great app full of up to date info…worth the £5 a year to get rid of the ads!
  11. [R4] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Poor App: Very poor app takes ages to load and overall content not good with poor live data
  12. [R33] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Snail pace: Please go back to earlier version 6:13 ? These last two updates have stopped showing any aircraft until approximately two minutes after opening up app. Writing on aircraft labels are also too small. Use iPad with fast server 50mb/s Ignore above. Now opening ok but the label still applies. Perhaps black writing on white background might improve it. You need 20/20 vision at the moment D
  13. [R37] FlightAware Flight Tracker 2/5 · GB Could be better: Great for getting flight info. But not good enough for tracking the flight and seeing where it is on the map. Not intuitive enough.
  14. [R43] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Clunky: Incredibly difficult to use. I know the airline, airport and departure time, but cannot find the flight. It must be made simpler to find a route.
  15. [R12] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · GB White lines: Decent app but each plane has a line drawn behind it which on its own isn’t an issue but when there are 100s of planes on a screen it makes it impossible to see what you are looking at as it’s just a sea of white lines, not a good feature and can’t see any way of disabling it
  16. [R13] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Seems to have done un update: Seems to have done un update and wiped all my settings . I don’t think I hade any warning of this so not very happy 🤯☹️
  17. [R27] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB App needs IOS 16.4 to work, need new iPad for it: App has just been ‘upgraded’. Now won’t work on my 3 year old iPad as need IOS 16.4. So app I have been using for 18 months is now junk. Not sure if anyone has ever heard of downward compatible. Well done, don’t think I am buying a new iPad for one stupid app.
  18. [R35] FlightAware Flight Tracker 2/5 · GB Not sure what happened but: So the app in the way out was great, found the flight, tracked the incoming plane, map of the world was clear.. on the way back, my British airways flight number couldn’t be found, the map is full of planes which are not relevant, and I paid £5 for an update that has made the app go backwards
  19. [R8] FlightAware Flight Tracker 4/5 · GB Missing a trick: Great app but would be nice to actually get notifications via text rather than email
  20. [R16] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB STILL NO LIVE ACTIVITY SUPPORT: IT LOOKS LIKE THE DEVELOPS HAVE NO INTERESTS ON FOLLOWING USER’s FEEDBACKS! It’s been many years now, and every time there’s an update, I always check to see if the most wanted feature, “Live Activity”, has been added. But it’s still not supported. I’ve thought about switching to another flight tracker app that does have Live Activity, but kept waiting, hoping thi
  21. [R29] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Weather Layers: The offering and weather layers options for enterprise users is really limited. Comparing to what you get from FR24 or RadarBox this is really poor value for money. I strongly encourage you not to pay for Enterprise plan unless you are really stupid.
  22. [R51] Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker 1/5 · US Persistent Ads: Enjoyed the app for about 2 weeks, didn’t mind the periodic ads. But now the ads that pop up cover the entire screen and make you sit through several seconds before the “X” appears in the corner to close. If that’s not bad enough, pressing the “X” takes you to the App Store instead of closing the ad, then when you close that, another ad pops up in its place. It seems now that I sp
  23. [R52] Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker 5/5 · US Amazing app: Great app
  24. [R53] Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker 3/5 · US GREAT APP TO FIND DRUNK PILOTS: THERE'S THIS PILOT IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITH REGISTRATION: N958LA THIS PERSON CANT SEEM TO RIDE STRAIGHT FLYS LOW AND DANGEROUS IF YOU LIVE IN LA COUNTY, CA WATCH THE F OUT !!
  25. [R54] Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker 1/5 · US Too many ads: Too many ads
  26. [R65] Flight Tracker + 1/5 · US Was cool: It used to be free. Now it’s six bucks a week.
  27. [R66] Flight Tracker + 4/5 · US Free Version Downgrade: Not going to leave some silly one star review. I’ve used the app for years without issue, almost always just to track my wife’s incoming flight to pick her up. Just now opened it to use it for the first time in months, and it’s now unusable in the free version. Now bombarded with endless ads and demands to get the paid version and can’t even figure out a way around it to do
  28. [R67] Flight Tracker + 3/5 · US Để sau: Để sau
  29. [R68] Flight Tracker + 1/5 · US $$$: Why is the subscription based now…???
  30. [R79] Planes Live 1/5 · US Missing flight data everywhere what’s up?: I sent something in with no response. Checking today for flights from Fort Lauderdale to Boston again and it shows there aren’t any next week or after. I’m about ready to cancel what’s going on with your data? When it’s working, it’s a five star app. If it doesn’t have the flights it’s not even a one star app Thanks.
  31. [R80] Planes Live 5/5 · US Basra: Iraq · translated
  32. [R81] Planes Live 3/5 · US Does not track planes properly: This app work for a while ok but recently is not showing the planes flying right over my head. I don’t live in a big city with lots of traffic so it should not be the high plane traffic. Disappointed ! The App I properly updated so it’s the phone.
  33. [R82] Planes Live 1/5 · US Now useless: The free app is now worse than useless, a complete waste of time. Nothing but constant ads and even when not ads, frequently freezes.
  34. [R93] FlightStats 1/5 · US Incorrect gate information in ATL: Flight attendant here. I cannot rely on flight stats, many times have the incorrect gate posted.
  35. [R94] FlightStats 5/5 · US Accurate: It’s great to have this app, I used it a lot to get info about gate , terminals etc . I really like it and I have this apps for a few years ! It’s a keeper !
  36. [R95] FlightStats 3/5 · US What happened?: Used to be a very reliable app…can’t even create a free account anymore. Had high hopes but now it’s just useless.
  37. [R96] FlightStats 1/5 · US Plane did not leave when flight stats said: Usually flight stats is right on
  38. [R48] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · GB The best: I use this app all the time and best free one. Keep it up. 👍👍👍👍👍
  39. [R50] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · GB “Simply the Best”: An app that for once is actually permanently free, as long as you don’t want to remove adverts. It’s accurate, informative and you choose if you would like alerts and what type. I rarely write reviews, but this app is a really worthwhile addition to your list.
  40. [R39] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · GB Missing flights: For example EFW2799 on 13Aug2023 at 1825. There was a flight listed with this code, but several hours later so was clearly the wrong one. If even one flight is missing or incorrect, I know I can’t rely on this app. App publisher might say it’s a problem with data sources. I don’t think so because other apps, the airline, and the airport did not have this problem.

Synthesized from 106 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store