Among the reviews analyzed, Flightradar24 is highly valued for its real-time tracking accuracy and comprehensive flight details, which are especially useful for identifying overhead aircraft, tracking friends' flights, and supporting airport pickups. However, a recurring theme was the intrusive and often unskippable ads in the free version, which multiple sampled reviews said made the app nearly unusable. Another major concern was the growing paywall, with features that were previously free now locked behind subscription tiers, prompting frustration among long-time users who had made one-time purchases in the past. Performance issues such as slow loading and connection failures also appeared frequently. Despite these criticisms, many sampled reviews still praised the app's core functionality, noting that the free version retains enough utility for casual users, while premium tiers offer additional value for enthusiasts and professionals. Overall, the app may fit aviation fans and frequent travelers who can tolerate ads or are willing to pay, but may not fit casual users who are sensitive to ads or opposed to subscription models.
What users like
Real-time flight tracking accuracy Users frequently praise the app for providing accurate real-time location, speed, altitude, and ETA for flights, helping them identify aircraft overhead and track friends/family flights.
Comprehensive flight information The app offers detailed data such as aircraft type, registration, origin/destination, flight history, and photos, which is valued by aviation enthusiasts and professionals.
Useful for airport pickups and travel planning Multiple sampled reviews rely on the app to check arrival times and track flights when picking up friends or family, finding it more accurate than airline apps or web searches.
AR and 3D viewing features Users enjoy the augmented reality and 3D view features that allow them to point their phone at a plane and see its identity and flight path, enhancing the spotting experience.
Common concerns
Intrusive and unskippable ads A very common complaint is that the free version is overrun by full-screen, loud, and often unclosable ads that interrupt usage, sometimes redirecting to external sites or apps, making the app nearly unusable.
Paywall creep and feature removal Users express frustration that features that used to be free (e.g., filters, runway details, departure/arrival boards beyond 12 hours, saving alerts) are now locked behind a subscription, with many long-time users feeling betrayed by the shift from one-time purchase to subscription model.
App performance and loading issues Multiple sampled reviews report the app frequently hangs on a loading screen, fails to connect to servers, or lags, especially after updates, making it slow or impossible to use.
Missing aircraft or inaccurate data Some users notice that certain aircraft (e.g., helicopters, military, light aircraft) do not appear on the map, or that flight data can be inaccurate or disappear mid-tracking, which reduces reliability.
Based on 500 Google Play reviews · Updated Aug 30, 2026
Over the last 60 days, PixelTrack observed changes in estimated installs, rating, rating count and review count. The table compares the earliest recorded changed value with the latest observation.
Metric
Earlier value
Latest value
Change
Latest change
Estimated installs
119,483,366
120,811,463
+1,328,097
Oct 2, 2026
Rating
4.5
4.5
-0
Oct 3, 2026
Rating count
654,562
657,556
+2,994
Oct 3, 2026
Review count
16,176
16,246
+70
Oct 3, 2026
Flightradar24 Flight Tracker Changelog
4 changes
▣
3 store fields changed
Short description: Track aircraft and follow flights with our real-time flight tracker → Track airplanes and follow flights with our real-time flight tracker · Long description updated · Screenshots: 34 → 34 images
▣
3 store fields changed
Short description: Track airplanes and follow flights with our real-time flight tracker → Track aircraft and follow flights with our real-time flight tracker · Long description updated · Screenshots: 34 → 34 images
↑
Release notes changed
Release notes updated
$
In-app purchase price changed
In-app purchase price: $1.49 - $64.99 per item → $1.49 - $69.99 per item
