A paragliding app has one job that matters more than the rest: being an instrument you can trust while you are turning in a thermal. GPS tracks, logbooks and sharing are useful, but they come after. This comparison looks at three of the most used iPhone apps in 2026, Wingman, FlySkyHy and Gaggle, on the points pilots actually notice in the air.
In the interest of honesty: we make Wingman. We have tried to keep this fair and to say plainly where the other two are the better choice.
The three apps side by side
| Wingman | FlySkyHy | Gaggle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vario | Reactive (barometer + accelerometer), adjustable thresholds | Barometer only, not reactive | Basic; GPS-based on some devices |
| Interface | Modern, follows iOS conventions | Data-rich, dated design | Simple, XC-oriented |
| Airspace | Yes, simplified display with proximity alerts | Yes, detailed and configurable | Limited |
| Waypoints and routes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3D flight replay | Yes, built in | Limited, needs external tools | Yes |
| Standalone Apple Watch app | Yes, full vario on the wrist | No | No |
| Price | Free to download, low cost | Mid-range | Highest of the three |
Wingman
Wingman is built only for iPhone and Apple Watch, and it shows in the details: the interface follows iOS conventions, the vario uses the phone's barometer and accelerometer together, and the Watch app runs on its own.
Where it is strongest
- The vario. It fuses barometric pressure with accelerometer data, so climb is reported with far less lag than a pressure-only reading. Beep thresholds and tones are adjustable. See how the Wingman variometer works.
- Airspace without clutter. Nearby zones on the map and a warning as you approach one, rather than every boundary in the country drawn at once.
- Recording you never think about. Take-off and landing are detected automatically, every flight lands in the logbook, and IGC export for XContest is one tap.
- 3D replay of any flight on the phone, without a computer.
- A standalone Apple Watch app with climb rate, altitude and speed on the wrist, recording even when the iPhone stays at home.
Who it suits
Pilots who want a light setup with nothing extra to buy, Apple Watch owners, and anyone who prefers a screen they can read in one glance over a screen they can configure for an hour. Also pilots who like to study their flying afterwards: the logbook, statistics and replay are a large part of the app. Paramotor pilots use it too, on foot or on a trike: see Wingman for paramotor pilots.
Where it falls short
It is iPhone-only, and it does not try to be a competition instrument. If you need competition-grade task tools or a dozen configurable data fields per screen, FlySkyHy is the better fit.
FlySkyHy
FlySkyHy has been on the App Store for many years and is the most configurable of the three.
Where it is strongest
- Detailed airspace handling, including advanced warning options.
- Extensive waypoint, route and task management.
- Screens and data fields that can be customised almost without limit.
- The tools competition pilots expect.
Who it suits
Cross-country and competition pilots who want every number available and are willing to set the app up properly.
Where it falls short
The interface is dense and looks its age. The vario relies on the iPhone barometer alone and is not reactive, which you notice when centring weak lift. There is no standalone Watch app, and 3D replay needs external tools.
Gaggle
Gaggle is built around cross-country tracking and flying with friends.
Where it is strongest
- Simple XC tracking and logging.
- Flight sharing and social features.
- Basic navigation and 3D replay.
Who it suits
Pilots who mainly want a record of the flight and an easy way to share it, without treating the phone as their main instrument.
Where it falls short
The vario is basic and on some devices GPS-based, airspace support is limited, there is no standalone Watch app, and it is the most expensive of the three.
Which paragliding app should you choose?
- You fly competitions or want deep configurability: FlySkyHy, and accept the learning curve.
- You want simple XC logging and sharing and do not need a serious vario: Gaggle.
- You want a reactive vario, a clean airspace display, 3D replay and a real Apple Watch instrument in one app, with nothing else to buy: Wingman.
Whichever you pick, test it on the ground first. Lift the phone quickly and listen for how fast the vario reacts, check how readable the screen is in sunlight, and confirm it keeps recording with the screen off.
Frequently asked questions
Can a phone really replace a dedicated vario?
For most recreational and cross-country flying, yes, provided the app fuses sensor data rather than relying on the barometer alone. We go into the details in can a phone replace your vario.
Which of these apps works on Apple Watch?
Only Wingman runs as a standalone app on the Watch, recording flights and showing climb rate without the iPhone nearby. The difference between standalone and companion Watch apps is explained in paragliding apps for Apple Watch.
Do these apps work on Android?
Wingman and FlySkyHy are iOS-only. Gaggle is available on both iOS and Android.
