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Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Planes Live vs FlightAware Flight Tracker

Planes Live 4.6★ · Free + IAP 60
Winner FlightAware Flight Tracker
FlightAware Flight Tracker 4.9★ · Free + IAP 80

FlightAware Flight Tracker is the better choice for reliable flight tracking and a more stable user experience, despite some recent login issues, while Planes Live struggles with intrusive ads and data accuracy.

Full reviews: Planes Live · FlightAware Flight Tracker

FlightAware Flight Tracker generally offers more accurate and reliable flight information, though some users report recent login and UI challenges. Planes Live, while praised for its core functionality, is heavily criticized for an overwhelming number of ads in its free version and inconsistent data.

Head to head

Features and Information Accuracy edge: FlightAware Flight TrackerR1R3R8R9
Planes Live Planes Live users appreciate its ability to track flights in real-time and provide information like speed and altitude . However, many reviews highlight significant issues with missing flight data, incorrect arrival times, and the app not showing planes directly overhead R1R3R15. Some users also miss older features like seeing a close image of the plane or a dark mode R8R9.
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware Flight Tracker is widely praised for its accuracy and reliability, with users depending on it for real-time updates and peace of mind R65R80. It provides extensive features for both casual users and aviators . However, some users report issues with absent details like recently landed planes, inaccurate landing times, or flights not being tracked R75R84.
Ease of Use and User Interface tieR8R25R27R29
Planes Live Planes Live is described as having easy features and simple directions R35R29. However, recent updates have made the app clunky and less intuitive for some, with complaints about the new layout and overly busy screens R8R25. The free version is particularly difficult to use due to ad placement R27.
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware Flight Tracker is generally considered easy to use and very visual . Users appreciate its straightforward approach to finding flight information . However, recent updates have introduced significant usability issues, with many finding the app not user-friendly, difficult to navigate, and having an appalling UI . Specific complaints include difficulty setting notifications and overly busy maps .
Reliability and Performance edge: FlightAware Flight TrackerR4R11R15R35
Planes Live Planes Live users report issues with the app freezing, notifications not working, and the map tracker not always functioning correctly R4R11R15R35. Many describe the app as 'garbage' or 'useless' due to these performance problems R4.
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware Flight Tracker is generally seen as a reliable app that performs well, with users calling it 'super useful' and 'strong platform overall' . However, recent issues with the sign-up and login system have significantly impacted reliability, with users frequently being logged out or unable to sign in R73R81R94R96.
Price/Value and Ads edge: FlightAware Flight TrackerR4R6R7R10
Planes Live Planes Live is heavily criticized for its aggressive monetization strategy. The free version is described as 'almost unusable' due to constant, intrusive ads, including graphic adult ads R4R6R7R10. Many users feel forced to pay for a subscription, which is considered expensive at $5 per week or £5.49 per week . The 'free trial' also requires agreeing to a subscription, which some call a 'scam' .
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware Flight Tracker also has ads in its free version, which some users find annoying . There are complaints about a price increase for the yearly ad-removal subscription, from $5.99 to $8.99, which disappointed loyal customers . Some users are unwilling to subscribe just to remove ads, preferring a one-off payment .
Support tieR1R12R73R94
Planes Live Planes Live support is described as 'terrible.' Users report bounced emails, unhelpful replies directing them to FAQs, and a lack of response to inquiries R1R12.
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware Flight Tracker reviews do not frequently mention direct support interactions. However, the app's sign-up and login issues suggest a lack of responsive support for critical user experience problems R73R94R96.
Pick Planes Live if

You are looking for a basic, free flight tracker and are willing to tolerate a high volume of ads and potential data inaccuracies, or if you are interested in tracking small planes .

Pick FlightAware Flight Tracker if

You prioritize accurate and reliable flight information and are willing to navigate a sometimes challenging user interface or pay for an ad-free experience R65R80.

Evidence note: Planes Live reviews are heavily skewed by complaints about ads and subscription models, making it difficult to assess the core app functionality for paying users. FlightAware Flight Tracker's recent negative reviews focus almost exclusively on login and UI issues, suggesting its core tracking functionality remains strong for those who can access it.

Frequently asked

Is Planes Live free to use?
Planes Live offers a free version, but many users report it is 'almost unusable' due to constant, intrusive ads, with some even seeing graphic adult ads R4R6R7R13. To remove ads and access full features, a subscription is required, which some find expensive at around $5 per week .
How accurate is FlightAware Flight Tracker?
FlightAware Flight Tracker is generally praised for its accuracy and reliability, with many users depending on it for real-time flight updates and considering it 'reliable to the minute' R65R80. However, some users have reported occasional inaccuracies, such as planes showing as landed when still in the air, or incorrect arrival times R75R84.
Are there login issues with FlightAware Flight Tracker?
Yes, many recent reviews for FlightAware Flight Tracker highlight significant login and authentication issues, with users frequently being logged out, having difficulty signing in, or facing complex multi-factor authentication steps that hinder access R73R81R94R96.

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. [R1] 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.
  2. [R3] 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.
  3. [R8] Planes Live 4/5 · US I prefer the old version:/: I've used this app for quite some time now, but the new layout just bugs me. The only reason this particular tracker was my go-to was because it was easy to see a close image of the plane overhead, it displayed above all the flight info. Either that particular feature has been removed entirely, or it's been hidden in such a way that I can't find it.
  4. [R9] Planes Live 3/5 · US Appearance and flight info: Would be cool to see it have a dark mode feature and would be cool to have it where you click on a flight it shows the picture of the type of aircraft just like it used to
  5. [R25] Planes Live 1/5 · US New Update is Terrible: This used to be a great app, but now it is clunky.
  6. [R27] Planes Live 3/5 · GB free version is impossible to use: I was once a big advocate of this app and used it frequently. Yes, it was free and now you have a choice between subscriptions and advertising. I wanted to just check one flight, so not happy to take out a yearly subscription. The advertiser funded version was so poorly implemented that it was impossible to get away from the ads once they had been served. Close
  7. [R29] Planes Live 5/5 · US See flight in real time works great!!: Easy to find the flight you are looking for, great app. Wish it didn’t charge a monthly subscription
  8. [R4] 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.
  9. [R11] Planes Live 5/5 · US sad 😕: The app keeps telling me to manage my notifications. I’ve done everything I can and this app will not do my notifications. I don’t know why.
  10. [R15] Planes Live 3/5 · US Map tracker doesn't always work.: If you care about the map tracking feature, it doesn't often work. Many times it has shown a flight going in the opposite direction in should be, yet the fligt data is correct when not using the map.
  11. [R35] Planes Live 5/5 · US Good app but….: This app is wonderful and has so much easy features and accurate but after a while I starts to freeze and can’t types and other stuff I don’t know if it’s a bug or just my phone but it’s kinda anoying but overall it’s a worth it app and simple directions how to use it great job making this app it perfectly made but I don’t know about the bug so yea.
  12. [R6] Planes Live 3/5 · US Ads are out of control: I get it - you build an app hoping to make money, and you deserve to. But the ads have taken over the free version of the app, making it almost unusable at times.
  13. [R7] Planes Live 2/5 · US Was a good app before, now not so much: Was good app before, then they turned it into having to pay for a plan. If you don’t pay, the free version is almost unusable. Rarely use it now, I’ve switched to other flight tracking apps.
  14. [R10] Planes Live 1/5 · US Once great, now just spam: Just a big spam app now. Avoid.
  15. [R12] Planes Live 3/5 · US App is great, support is terrible.: Love the app! However, support is terrible. Sent a support request through the app and the email got bounced back to me saying that the email address was no longer in use and to send a support request through the app (???). I sent an email to the address in the App Store, got a reply that basically said to look in the FAQ on the website and if the question was
  16. [R73] FlightAware Flight Tracker 2/5 · US Sign up system: This buggy sign up system won’t work. I meet both requirements but it is not letting me sign up. When I click sign up it takes me to a white screen with flight aware’s logo at the top. Now all I wanted to do was upload one, just ONE photo and I get a janky system.
  17. [R94] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · US Doesn’t work: Keep having to log in every time I use it. Have to get email code then authentication code. Half the time there are delays in getting codes or simply you get an error message.
  18. [R13] Planes Live 1/5 · US Adult Ads Showing: Just installed and glad no kids were around as very graphic adult ads showing right at the top. I’m sure this is from a third party ad network but I’d be selecting one that was far more restrictive before dropping it on my application. I’m certain the application is built well based on the reviews but this is not acceptable.
  19. [R65] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · US What great resource: I depend on this much more than what the Airline tells me.
  20. [R75] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · US Misleading: Not always accurate. Sometimes if an aircraft diverts it still shows that it arrived at their original planned destination.
  21. [R80] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · US Great app: Great for tracking flights - very accurate!
  22. [R84] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · US Duration left: App is usually off by 15-20 minutes for landing time. I get a text that “X” has landed but the app was showing 15 minutes to go but at the same time it will tell me that the plane has landed which is usually accurate.
  23. [R81] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · US App constantly logs me out: I have an enterprise account. Quite frequently the app logs me out and I have to go through the hassle of signing in.
  24. [R96] 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

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