Choosing a paragliding app in 2026 isn't just about having a GPS track. It's about how well the app performs as a real flight instrument: vario responsiveness, airspace awareness, usability in the air, and smartwatch integration.
Below is a quick comparison of Wingman, FlySkyHy, and Gaggle across the features pilots care about most.
Quick Comparison
| Wingman | FlySkyHy | Gaggle | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vario | Reactive, configurable | Not reactive, iPhone barometer based | Basic / GPS-based depending on device |
| Design | Modern, Apple like | Data-rich but outdated design | Simple, XC-oriented |
| Airspaces | Yes (clear, simplified display) | Yes (detailed, advanced) | Limited / basic |
| Waypoints | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3D Replay | Yes | Limited / external tools | Yes |
| Standalone Apple Watch app | Yes (full vario on wrist) | No | No |
| Pricing | Quite cheap, good value for the money | Reasonable | Quite expensive |
Wingman
Wingman is built specifically for iPhone and Apple Watch, with a strong focus on simplicity and real flight use.
Strengths
- Highly responsive vario, optimized with barometric data
- Clean, modern interface designed for quick in-flight reading
- Clear airspace visualization without clutter
- Automatic flight logging with easy IGC and XContest export
- Splendid 3D Replay functionality
- Standalone Apple Watch app with real-time climb rate, altitude, speed
Wingman is especially strong for:
- Pilots who want a vario on their iPhone or Apple Watch
- Pilots who want a minimal, lightweight setup, all included
- Apple Watch users who want a true wrist vario
- Pilots who want a beautiful and pleasant interface with detailed statistics to analyze and relive their flights
It focuses on doing the essentials extremely well, without overwhelming the screen.
FlySkyHy
FlySkyHy has been around for years and is known for its depth and configurability.
Strengths
- Advanced airspace handling
- Extensive waypoint and route management
- Highly configurable screens and data fields
- Competition-friendly tools
FlySkyHy is well suited for:
- XC pilots who like detailed data
- Competition pilots
- Users who enjoy fine-tuning every screen
The tradeoff is complexity. The interface is powerful but can feel technical, especially for newer pilots.
Gaggle
Gaggle is more focused on XC tracking and social flying.
Strengths
- Simple XC tracking
- Flight sharing
- Basic navigation features
It works well for:
- Pilots who want lightweight tracking
- Social flying and sharing
- Simple cross-country logging
However, it's less focused on being a primary high-performance vario instrument compared to the others.
Which One Should You Choose?
It depends on how you fly.
- If you want deep configurability and competition tools, FlySkyHy is a strong choice. Beware of the user interface though.
- If you want simple XC tracking and sharing, Gaggle may be enough.
- If you want a modern, clean reactive vario with full Apple Watch support, a lightweight setup, and 3D Flight Replay, Wingman stands out in 2026.
For many iPhone pilots — especially those flying with an Apple Watch — Wingman offers the most balanced combination of performance, simplicity, and real in-air usability.
