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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
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The verdict on

Flightradar24 | Flight Tracker

65
User verdict / 100 High confidence Divided

Flightradar24 is a highly-rated flight tracking app, praised for its comprehensive real-time flight data and usefulness for aviation enthusiasts and travelers, but recent updates have significantly increased intrusive ads and moved previously free features behind a paywall, leading to user frustration.

4.8★ lifetime (641,126) Free + in-app purchases since 2010 by Flightradar24 AB updated 0.2 mo ago recent negative 25% 120 reviews across 4 regions
Ads User Experience Subscription/Paywall Core Functionality Data Privacy
5★629
4★64
3★60
2★59
1★188
recent reviews across 4 regions, vs the 4.8★ lifetime average

Flightradar24 is a popular app for tracking flights globally, offering detailed information and a smooth experience for many users. However, recent changes have introduced a high volume of full-screen, unskippable ads and shifted several core features to a subscription model, which has negatively impacted user satisfaction.

What users like

  • Provides comprehensive real-time flight tracking and detailed aircraft informationR5R7R10R12
  • Helpful for tracking family and friends' flights, offering peace of mindR12R20R46R55
  • Engaging for aviation enthusiasts and plane spottersR10R16R24R26

What users complain about

  • Excessive and intrusive full-screen ads make the free version nearly unusableR2R8R11R36
  • Many previously free features are now locked behind a subscription paywallR22R74R76R82
  • Concerns about data sharing with third parties, even for paid users, and difficulty opting outR9R32R90R526
  • Some users report issues with app functionality, such as planes not loading, filters not working, or freezingR39R53R61R155

Latest update · v11.7.1

What the developer says changed (the verdict above weighs this against what reviewers report):

We regularly update Flightradar24 in order to bring you the best flight-tracking experience. In this latest update you'll find: We've added the ability to share upcoming flights. Choose a scheduled flight from the airport, aircraft, or flight panel and tap share. Bug fixes and performance improvements Enjoy using Flightradar24? Rate the app and leave a review!

Recurring themes

Ads negative
Many recent reviews highlight a significant increase in the frequency and intrusiveness of full-screen ads. Users report ads covering the entire screen, being unskippable for several seconds, redirecting to the App Store, and sometimes appearing back-to-back, making the app difficult to use in its free tier. This contradicts the developer's notes that mention 'performance improvements' as ads are slowing down the experience.R2R3R8R11
Subscription/Paywall negative
Users are frustrated that features previously available for free, such as viewing more than 24 hours of flight history, aircraft age, vertical speed, and runway details, are now locked behind a subscription. This change is perceived as 'corporate greed' and has led to a decline in satisfaction, especially for long-time users who remember a one-time purchase model.R22R23R25R74
Data Privacy negative
Several reviews express strong concerns about the app's data sharing practices, stating that it openly sells Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to third parties, even for paid subscribers. Users find it difficult to opt out of data sharing, often requiring individual declines for numerous partners, leading some to uninstall the app.R9R32R90R526
Core Functionality mixed
While many users praise the app for its accuracy and ability to track flights, some recent reviews report issues with planes not appearing on the map, filters not working correctly (e.g., still showing all aircraft when filtered), search bar unresponsiveness, and the app freezing. Some also dislike the auto-zoom feature and recent UI changes.R29R33R39R53
User Experience positive
Despite the issues, many users still find Flightradar24 to be an amazing, helpful, and informative app. They appreciate its ability to track flights, provide details about aircraft, and engage aviation enthusiasts. It's frequently used for personal travel tracking and for general interest in aviation.R1R5R6R7

Who it's for

Flightradar24 is for aviation enthusiasts, plane spotters, and individuals who want to track flights of family and friends in real-time R12R46R55. It's suitable for those willing to pay for a subscription to avoid ads and access advanced features R25R76. It is not for users who are sensitive to intrusive advertising, unwilling to pay for core features, or concerned about data privacy R2R9R32.

Evidence note: The recent reviews show a strong negative sentiment regarding ads and paywalled features, which contrasts with the high lifetime rating. The evidence for data privacy concerns is present but less widespread than ad complaints. The developer's notes for the latest update mention 'bug fixes and performance improvements,' but recent reviews still report issues like freezing, non-loading flights, and filters not working, directly contradicting these claims R53R61.

Frequently asked

Are there too many ads in Flightradar24?
Yes, many recent reviews indicate that the free version of Flightradar24 has an excessive number of intrusive, full-screen ads that often redirect to the App Store and make the app nearly unusable R2R8R36R57.
Do I need to pay for features that used to be free?
Yes, several users report that features previously available for free, such as viewing more than 24 hours of flight history, aircraft age, vertical speed, and runway details, are now locked behind a subscription paywall R22R74R76R82.
Does Flightradar24 share user data?
Yes, some reviews claim that Flightradar24 openly sells Personally Identifiable Information (PII) to third parties, even for paid subscribers, and that opting out of data sharing is difficult R9R32R90R526.

What reviewers actually said

Built only from these 120 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. [R5] 5/5 · US Best app: Bro I just got this app 2 days ago, I loved the app. That’s why I love planes, I wanted to get this app. There was just SOOOO many planes. Like, literally the best app EVER!
  2. [R7] 5/5 · US GREAT: This is great has every plane you want to find
  3. [R10] 5/5 · US I would have loved this as a child: Growing up I’d lie in my grass and look at the sky and watch a plane fly over me. I thought “I wonder where they’re going” and with this, I now know. Never really had any issues, runs smoothly.
  4. [R12] 5/5 · US Love it: Thank you for this very informative and helpful app you have no idea how much it helped me. Whenever any of my family members travel I keep track of their flights through this app. It makes me feel relaxed knowing I can keep watch on their flight. I love all the neat features of the program. Thanks I a million ❤️
  5. [R20] 5/5 · US Best: I use it for every flight I’m on or my family is on.
  6. [R46] 5/5 · US ❤️❤️😃: Very nice I am tracking my son’s flight to Japan!
  7. [R55] 5/5 · US Kids: I love the app. I can keep an eye on my daughter as she flies to see her dad. She is also in civil air patrol so I can watch her in her flight lessons. So so great
  8. [R16] 5/5 · US Great: I love to see the planes
  9. [R24] 5/5 · US Aviation: I loved this radar so much it build my future ,of being a pilot 🫰🏻🌺
  10. [R26] 5/5 · US Helps me find cool planes: I FOUND A AN26 AN124 AND A DC3
  11. [R2] 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
  12. [R8] 1/5 · US Too many ads: Too many ads
  13. [R11] 1/5 · US Ads: After the adds can’t go back to the radar screen
  14. [R36] 1/5 · US Go to hell with your ads: Hey, all you devs, go to hell! This app used to be amazing, now the ads are so intrusive. It’s basically worthless. Shame on you all. No way in hell this ad is worth any real money.
  15. [R22] 1/5 · US Free features getting removed, overall platform decay: not impressed with changing free features to be subscription gated. previously a subscription was not needed to view more than 24 hours of arrival/departure history, now you do. desktop has a huge sidebar that was intentionally inserted to be as annoying as possible to force you to subscribe to remove. aircraft age and vertical speed previousl
  16. [R74] 1/5 · US Update rip off: They removed a free service of on map tracking live and now want more money for a formerly free feature
  17. [R76] 3/5 · US I dunno: Must pay to get most features. Basic (what you start with) is where you can only see flights. So annoying!
  18. [R82] 2/5 · US Once great app is now disappointing: I first downloaded this app back in 2013. It was a one time purchase for the pro version and it was awesome. All features available and no bothersome ads. Ever since they switched to a subscription service, the app has been nothing but a disappointment. The ads are long and pop up too often. Sometimes it feels like the app is almost unusable. Typical corporate
  19. [R9] 1/5 · US Sells your data very hard yo opt out: Openly sells your PII information to third parties even if you are a paid subscriber. Very hard to reject cookies. Also zero California privacy policy or request for data deletion.
  20. [R32] 1/5 · US Too hard to opt out of data sharing: App shares your data with 30 partners and you have to decline in each individually. Uninstalled instead
  21. [R90] 1/5 · US Ruined by corporate greed: This app used to be amazing, but now it has been overran by corporate greed with aggressive data mining and selling, even when you opt out of it. I have always been opted out of your tracking, but I am still getting numerous data deletion request alerts with data packages traced back to this app. Shame on you guys. A user of over a decade but I value my privacy over your
  22. [R526] 3/5 · CA Works ok but seems sleazy in background: Works ok but seems sleazy in background. Sleazy ads and notices
  23. [R39] 1/5 · US can you fix this plz: idk if it’s just me or mg phone but on the app the entire screen is blurry.
  24. [R53] 1/5 · US STILL NOT LOADING (UPDATED REVIEW JUNE 29): The app was perfect. And still, flights don’t load. The search bar isn’t responsive. And it happens at JFK Airport. This was never an issue. It can’t possibly a reception problem with my phone, because I’m able to use other apps without a problem, including Flight Aware. I prefer this app though.
  25. [R61] 1/5 · US Categorize don’t work: When I used to select a certain try of aircraft! The category shows me everything and the UI is bad
  26. [R155] 2/5 · US Useless?: A plane just flew right over my home. Nothing showed up on this app.
  27. [R3] 4/5 · US Adds are bad: Everything is fine just the free tier has lots of adds
  28. [R23] 4/5 · US App: Its a good app just don’t like how you have to pay for some things
  29. [R25] 3/5 · US Add unless you pay: It’s okay but it makes you pay a subscription to go no adds
  30. [R29] 4/5 · US Auto zoom is annoying: Great app, love the navigation and details. However the auto zoom is infuriating at times. When de-selecting a plane after looking at details the app decides to auto zoom waaaay out. Why???? Also, at random times the planes suddenly shrink to the point you cannot distinguish them because they are so small. I have to zoom in/out several times to get them back to the normal vi
  31. [R33] 3/5 · US Incomplete Flight Info: This app has been awesome to see what is flying overhead. However, the app owners have decided to erase flight logs and inform
  32. [R1] 5/5 · US Amazing app: Great app
  33. [R6] 5/5 · US Five stars: My favorite app! I spend more time on your app than anything else on my phone. 👍please don’t raise the monthly fee
  34. [R57] 1/5 · US Unusable due to ads: This app used to be great but you can’t even look at a flight without getting 3 ads that you can’t close. Terrible to use now

Synthesized from 120 recent App Store reviews · updated July 2026 · View on the App Store