Updated 4 October 2026.
The best plane spotting apps split into three jobs: see what is flying, identify and log what you saw, or turn the sighting into a game. Flightradar24 and FlightAware lead for worldwide tracking. FlightCatcherPro is the identify-and-collect option: point the camera at the aircraft, or upload a photo you already have, then catch and collect what you saw. This list covers all three so you can pick a stack instead of one app that pretends to do everything.
In short
- Choose Flightradar24 or FlightAware for a worldwide live map, routes, and alerts.
- Choose FlightCatcherPro to identify aircraft with your camera or a photo you already have, then keep each catch in a digital logbook. Free to download on iOS with optional in-app purchases.
- Choose JetLog for fleet checklists and exports, or SpotterLog for photo-based records and a sightings map.
- What Plane? and SkySpottr overlay live ADS-B traffic on the camera from open-source feeds.
Which app fits what you want to do?
Most spotters run a tracker plus one identification or logging app. Here is where each app is strongest. This list is published by FlightCatcherPro and includes our app.
| Best for | Apps | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide flight tracking | Flightradar24, FlightAware, Plane Finder | Live maps, routes, flight status, alerts, and history |
| Camera identification and collection | FlightCatcherPro | Photo-based identification, a digital logbook, rarity, and leaderboards |
| Quick nearby-aircraft identification | What Plane?, SkySpottr | AR overlay of live ADS-B traffic from open-source feeds |
| Detailed spotting records | JetLog, SpotterLog | Spotting records; JetLog lists fleet checklists and export tools |
| Card and social competition | SkyCards, TailSpotter | Card battles or competition with other spotters |
Going deeper on one job? Compare the best aircraft identification apps and the best aircraft logbook apps, or learn how to identify a plane from a photo.
Best plane spotting games
Want a plane spotting game, not just a tracker or log? These apps turn real-world aircraft into something you collect or compete with.
- FlightCatcherPro: identify, catch, and collect aircraft you actually see (iOS; Android waitlist).
- SkyCards: catch flights, build a deck, battle (iOS & Android, by Flightradar24).
- TailSpotter: share sightings and compete around aircraft registrations.
Compare the best plane spotting game apps in detail
Aircraft saved by FlightCatcherPro spotters
These public FlightCatcherPro catches show the aircraft that spotters identified and saved:
- F-GXLO: Airbus Beluga on approach.
- C-GJZV: Jazz CRJ-900 overhead at dusk.
- PH-BHN: KLM Boeing 787-9 at the gate.
Before choosing, check device support, local tracking coverage, and whether an app can export your records. For feature details, see the official pages for JetLog, SpotterLog, and SkyCards.
Top 10 plane spotting apps compared
- 1Flight tracker
Flightradar24
The go-to flight tracker for real-time positions on a map. Follow flights, filter by airline or aircraft type, and see what is approaching the runway. Essential for linking what you see at the fence to live data.
- 2Flight tracker
FlightAware
Another powerful flight tracker with global coverage. Great for flight alerts, airport activity, and looking up aircraft by registration or flight number. Popular with spotters and aviation professionals.
- 3
Collection & competitionFlightCatcherPro
Turns plane spotting into a game: identify real aircraft with your camera, or upload a photo you already have, then catch and collect every one. Your digital logbook fills up with rarity ratings, collections, and leaderboards. Perfect if you want to collect and compete, not just track. Free on iOS; Android waitlist.
Try FlightCatcherPro - 4Aircraft identification
What Plane?
An iPhone AR app that overlays nearby flights from open-source ADS-B data. It can also show the nearest aircraft as a Home Screen widget.
- 5Spotting log
JetLog
A focused spotting logbook with fleet checklists, a live map, and CSV or Excel export. Ideal for serious loggers who collect registrations and want their records in a spreadsheet too.
- 6Aircraft identification
SkySpottr
An iPhone AR app that overlays live flight details from open-source ADS-B data on the camera. It also keeps a short history of aircraft you have spotted.
- 7Spotting log
SpotterLog
Photograph an aircraft, save its registration and type, and see your sightings on a map. Choose it for a photo-based spotting record rather than worldwide flight tracking.
- 8Collection & competition
SkyCards
Collect virtual cards of real flights, build decks, and battle. Powered by Flightradar24 data on iOS and Android. Great if you like the card-collection angle; FlightCatcherPro is the camera-identification game instead.
- 9Collection & competition
TailSpotter
Photograph aircraft, share sightings, and compete with other spotters. Choose it when the social feed and competition matter more than worldwide flight tracking.
- 10Flight tracker
Plane Finder
Real-time flight tracking with a clean map and detailed aircraft info. A strong alternative to Flightradar24 with good coverage and useful filters for spotters.
More into where to spot? Check our top 10 best airports for plane spotting. Identify, catch, and collect with FlightCatcherPro. Read about the app or browse recent aircraft photos.