Verithiathe honest score on any app
Updated July 2026 · real, multi-region App Store reviews
Head-to-head

Planes Live vs Flight Tracker +

Planes Live 4.6★ · Free + IAP 65
Winner Flight Tracker +
Flight Tracker + 4.7★ · Free + IAP 70

Flight Tracker + has a slight edge due to its generally more reliable tracking and better support, despite both apps facing significant recent user frustration over subscription models and intrusive ads.

Full reviews: Planes Live · Flight Tracker +

Both Planes Live and Flight Tracker + are popular flight tracking apps that have recently shifted towards more aggressive subscription models, leading to user dissatisfaction with intrusive ads and reduced free functionality. While Planes Live struggles with data accuracy and unresponsive support, Flight Tracker + generally offers more reliable tracking and better customer service, though it also faces criticism for its pricing and app stability issues.

Head to head

Features and Data Accuracy edge: Flight Tracker +R1R3R8R9
Planes Live Planes Live users report issues with missing flight data, planes not showing up on the map, and inaccurate arrival times, even for flights directly overhead R1R3R15R24. Some users miss older features like seeing a close image of the plane overhead or aircraft type pictures R8R9. However, others praise its accuracy and real-time tracking when it works .
Flight Tracker + Flight Tracker + users also report issues with data accuracy, with flights showing as still at the gate when they've already departed or showing incorrect in-air status . Some users note the removal of features like searching by route or seeing all flights to/from an airport . Despite these issues, many users find it reliable for tracking family flights and appreciate its quick, accurate information .
Ease of Use and User Experience tieR4R6R7R10
Planes Live Planes Live is criticized for its new clunky layout, intrusive ads that make the free version almost unusable, and frequent freezing R4R6R7R10. Some users find it difficult to terminate subscriptions or navigate the app . Others find it easy to use and navigate when it works .
Flight Tracker + Flight Tracker + is generally described as easy to navigate and simple to use by many . However, recent updates have led to constant crashes for some users, making the app inoperable R73. Users also complain about being bombarded with ads and constant prompts to subscribe, making the free version pointless .
Reliability and Performance edge: Flight Tracker +R11R15R20R35
Planes Live Planes Live users report issues with the app freezing, map tracking not always working, and notifications failing to deliver R11R15R35. Some also note that it takes a long time to get flight information R20.
Flight Tracker + Flight Tracker + has users reporting issues with the app crashing instantly after recent updates R73. Some users also experience a need to constantly restore their purchases and receive outdated or repeated notifications . Despite this, many users find it consistently reliable for real-time updates .
Price and Value tieR4R6R7R10
Planes Live Planes Live users are highly frustrated with the shift to a paid model, with many stating the free version is now unusable due to excessive ads and subscription prompts R4R6R7R10. The weekly subscription price of $5.49 (or $5/week) is considered too expensive . Users also complain about a lack of a real free trial, requiring agreement to pay before trying .
Flight Tracker + Flight Tracker + users express similar frustration with the app becoming subscription-based, with many stating it used to be free . The weekly charge of $5.99 is seen as predatory and too high R67. Users report issues with being charged for subscriptions despite expecting a free trial or a one-time purchase R67R114. The free version is widely considered pointless due to ads and paywalls .
Customer Support tieR1R12R73R76
Planes Live Planes Live support is described as terrible, with users receiving bounced emails, generic FAQ responses, and no follow-up R1R12.
Flight Tracker + Flight Tracker + users report ignored emails, unhelpful support for crashing apps, and no follow-up after providing requested information R73R76.
Pick Planes Live if

You are looking for a flight tracker and are willing to pay for a subscription, or you prioritize a potentially cleaner interface over consistent data accuracy and robust support.

Pick Flight Tracker + if

You prioritize generally more reliable tracking and a slightly better chance of getting support, and are prepared to pay for a subscription to avoid ads and access full features.

Evidence note: Both apps have a significant number of recent negative reviews focused on the shift to paid subscriptions and intrusive ads, which heavily skews the perception of their free tiers. The positive reviews for both often predate these changes or come from paying users. The evidence for support is thin for both, with only a few reviews mentioning direct interactions.

Frequently asked

Is Planes Live free to use?
While Planes Live offers a free version, many recent users report it is almost unusable due to constant, intrusive ads and prompts to subscribe, making it effectively a paid app for a good experience R4R6R7R22.
How much does Flight Tracker + cost?
Flight Tracker + charges $5.99 per week for its subscription, which many users consider expensive and predatory, especially given issues with unexpected charges after free trials R67R114R120.
Do these apps offer accurate real-time flight tracking?
Both apps receive mixed reviews on accuracy; while some users praise their real-time tracking , others report significant discrepancies, such as incorrect landing times, planes showing as still at the gate when they've departed, or missing flight data entirely R1R15R24R36.

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. [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.
  6. [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.
  7. [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.
  8. [R10] Planes Live 1/5 · US Once great, now just spam: Just a big spam app now. Avoid.
  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. [R20] Planes Live 5/5 · US Ops manager: Takes forever to flight information
  12. [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.
  13. [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
  14. [R73] Flight Tracker + 1/5 · US Latest release broken: I have been using this app for a long time, but the latest release crashes instantly every time I try to use it. The app help leads to a “not found” page on their site and an email sent to a general email address was ignored. If they fix the app and contact me, I may change the rating, but for now, this app doesn’t work, so the rating is deserved.
  15. [R76] Flight Tracker + 2/5 · US Not reliable: The biggest issue of all is that it on one recent trip, it could not find my confirmed flight despite TripIt, Flighty, United (the airline for the flight), Flightradar24, FlightAware all able to find my flight. I contacted support and they appreciated my ticket and also wanted screenshots of all flight tracking apps I use for that flight, and I obliged. No follow up from support
  16. [R22] Planes Live 2/5 · US Used to be great. Now It’s terrible: Used to be a useful app and a must on each flight or even sitting on my deck at home. Now it’s hot garbage, filled with pop up ads and constant prompts for a subscription.
  17. [R67] Flight Tracker + 1/5 · US Beware Predatory App $5.99 a Week!!!: I thought I was getting free version and or 1 time purchase only to be charged $5.99 weekly for a year. Buyer Beware!!
  18. [R114] Flight Tracker + 1/5 · US Where’s my Free trial: Prior to signing up it clearly shows the 3 days free trial but still I got charged for the weekly subscription.
  19. [R120] Flight Tracker + 1/5 · US Stop charging my card.: I never wanted to buy their plan. I am being charged 5.99 every week. Please stop and give my refund.
  20. [R24] Planes Live 3/5 · GB It didn’t misleading information.: Arrival time was incorrect. Plane was delayed and landed 1 hour 30 late. But program showed what still on time
  21. [R36] Planes Live 3/5 · GB Ok but not great: I think the app is good fun and gives you lots of information about the flight but unfortunately it is not accurate regards the flight status yesterday it stated that a flight was landed at least an hour before it had

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