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

FlightAware Flight Tracker vs FlightStats

FlightAware Flight Tracker 4.9★ · Free + IAP 85
Winner FlightAware Flight Tracker
FlightStats 4.8★ · Free to download · ⚠ stale 75

Choose FlightAware for more features and user satisfaction.

Full reviews: FlightAware Flight Tracker · FlightStats

FlightAware Flight Tracker offers a more comprehensive set of features and better user satisfaction compared to FlightStats. While both apps have their issues, FlightAware's higher lifetime rating and more positive reviews highlight its advantages in functionality and user experience.

Head to head

features edge: FlightAware Flight TrackerR5R14R60R71
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware provides extensive features including real-time tracking and detailed flight information, making it a preferred choice for aviation enthusiasts.
FlightStats FlightStats offers basic flight status updates but lacks some advanced features and has been criticized for inaccuracies.
ease of use edge: FlightStatsR7R10R39R63
FlightAware Flight Tracker Users find FlightAware's interface to be not very intuitive, with complaints about navigation and alert settings.
FlightStats FlightStats is noted for being user-friendly, but recent updates have led to frustrations with account creation and functionality.
reliability edge: FlightAware Flight TrackerR15R47R102R64
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware has received mixed reviews regarding reliability, with some users reporting inaccuracies and bugs.
FlightStats FlightStats has faced significant reliability issues recently, with users reporting outdated or incorrect flight information.
price/value edge: FlightAware Flight TrackerR16R24R86
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware offers a free version with in-app purchases for ad removal, which some users find valuable despite recent price increases.
FlightStats FlightStats is free to download but lacks in-app purchases, leading to ads that some users find intrusive.
support tieR19R49R70R106
FlightAware Flight Tracker FlightAware users have expressed frustration with customer support and account issues, particularly around login security.
FlightStats FlightStats users have encountered problems with account creation and app functionality, but some appreciate the simplicity of the free service.
Pick FlightAware Flight Tracker if

you want a feature-rich flight tracking experience and are willing to navigate some usability issues.

Pick FlightStats if

you prefer a straightforward, free app without the need for in-app purchases.

Evidence note: FlightAware's reviews are more positive overall, but both apps have significant user complaints. FlightAware's higher lifetime rating reflects a broader user base that may be more satisfied with its features despite recent criticisms.

Frequently asked

What are the costs associated with these apps?
FlightAware is free to download with in-app purchases for ad removal starting at $8.99 per year, while FlightStats is entirely free but includes ads.

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] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · US What great resource: I depend on this much more than what the Airline tells me.
  2. [R14] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · US Impressive: I continue to be surprised and impressed by the features and information this app provides. I’ve had it less than a week and have already upgraded from a free to a premium subscription. I’m not an aviator either - the tools the app has for them look very extensive and useful. Downloaded the app originally because I have a little boy with autism who loves watching planes come and go, I
  3. [R60] FlightAware Flight Tracker 5/5 · US Flight Aware: Great app for checking flights and my post flight review
  4. [R71] FlightStats 5/5 · US Best flight tracking app we’ve found: We have downloaded & deleted so many flight tracker apps because they just do not perform as needed. Flightstats very good with all pertinent info right in front of you. Also, best LIVE flight tracking map we’ve seen. Bonus is it’s free. For now…. Many thanks to developers!
  5. [R7] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · US Not user friendly: Its the worst app ever, not at all user friendly.
  6. [R10] FlightAware Flight Tracker 2/5 · US Not intuitive: Maybe it’s just me, but I can never get alerts for the specific flight I want. I get ALL the flights with that Airline’s flight number for ALL of their departures. It’s annoying.
  7. [R39] FlightAware Flight Tracker 3/5 · GB Great tool, appalling UI: If you could ever design an app that makes it as difficult as possible to actually do what you want it to do- they have succeeded here. The idea and capability is great. The UI is appalling. Trying to set notifications is the most cryptic, illogical process, and every screen seems to have a different layout and unknown icons to achieve what you *think* you might want
  8. [R63] 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.
  9. [R15] 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.
  10. [R47] FlightAware Flight Tracker 2/5 · US Not so hot: FlightAware has shown jets in the air in situations when I know the passengers are still on the ground because I’m talking to them by phone
  11. [R102] FlightStats 1/5 · US Statuses of flights way off: Sitting in a plane at the gate still & your app says we took off almost an hour ago! Almost funny to be that inaccurate!
  12. [R64] FlightStats 1/5 · US Plane did not leave when flight stats said: Usually flight stats is right on
  13. [R16] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · US Disappointing Price Increase for Loyal Customers: I am very disappointed to see the price of the yearly ad-removal subscription increasing from $5.99 to $8.99. Every other app I have ever used values its current customer base by grandfathering them into their original rate. With those companies, you only pay the new, higher price if you cancel your subscription and choose to rejoin at a later date
  14. [R24] 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.
  15. [R86] FlightStats 5/5 · US Best flight tracker ever!!: So many of these flight sites want to charge you … and then they’re so complicated u need a graduate degree to figure out how to use them!!! So glad that FLIGHTSTATS keeps it SIMPLE and FREE to use .. and most important USER FRIENDLY!!!
  16. [R19] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · US BS: This site is a pain in the butt to get set up!!
  17. [R49] FlightAware Flight Tracker 1/5 · US Login nightmare: I have a ton of app logins. However FlightAware has the absolute dumbest and cumbersome login layout of any app I’ve ever used.
  18. [R70] FlightStats 1/5 · US inoperative: Tried multiple times to create account…never sent email confirmation. Very frustrating!
  19. [R106] FlightStats 1/5 · US Disappointed: Not all the same functionality as when it was free not worth $3 per month!

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