The best flight tracker app depends on why you're tracking: following your own trip, collecting someone from the airport, or watching planes overhead. Look at alert speed, live map coverage and what the free tier shows. Nine apps follow in no particular order, plus a quick setup for flight alerts.
Flight tracking used to be something only plane spotters did. Now it's how most of us find out a flight is late before the airline tells us, or work out when to leave for the airport to collect someone. The apps all show a map of planes, but they differ a lot in alerts, history and how much the free version shows.
Nine trackers are listed below, alphabetically and in no particular order. Each description comes from the app's own website or store listing, re-checked today. If you're planning the trip itself, my notes on prompts for planning travel might save you time.
Flight tracker apps compared
In the free plan column, Yes means the app's own site or store listing describes a free app or free tier, Trial only means a time-limited trial and No means neither is stated. Most free tiers show adverts or limit history and extra layers.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| ADS-B Exchange | Unfiltered flight map | Seeing aircraft other maps hide | Yes |
| AirNav Radar | Live radar app | Live map with playback | Yes |
| FlightAware | Flight status and alerts | Free flight alerts by email or app | Yes |
| Flightradar24 | Live flight map | Watching planes overhead in real time | Yes |
| FlightStats | Flight status tool | Airport delays and on-time records | Yes |
| Flightview | Flight status app | Quick status checks and delay maps | Yes |
| Flighty | Personal flight tracker | Your own trips with live updates | Yes |
| Plane Finder | Live plane tracker | Spotting with AR and filters | Yes |
| TripIt | Itinerary organiser | Whole-trip plans from booking emails | Yes |
Nine flight tracking apps
ADS-B Exchange
Best for: Aviation enthusiasts who want a community-fed map that shows a wider set of aircraft, including many military and private flights.
AirNav Radar
Best for: Plane spotters who like a live radar map with flight playback and airport boards, and don't mind adverts on the free tier.
FlightAware
Best for: Anyone collecting a passenger who wants free delay and gate alerts for a single flight with a free account.
Flightradar24
Best for: Curious travellers and spotters who want to point a phone at the sky and see which plane is flying over.
FlightStats
Best for: Planners who want to check an airport's delays or a route's on-time record before they book a tight connection.
Flightview
Best for: Travellers who want a simple status check by flight number with airport delay maps, without a busy live radar.
Flighty
Best for: Frequent flyers on Apple devices who want their own flights tracked in detail, from inbound aircraft to gate changes.
Plane Finder
Best for: Plane spotters who want a live map with augmented reality views and filters for airlines and aircraft types.
TripIt
Best for: Business travellers who forward booking emails and want every flight, hotel and car in one itinerary with alerts.
Why some private jets don't show up
If you've ever searched for a private jet and found nothing, there's often a reason. The FAA says its Limiting Aircraft Data Displayed (LADD) Program carries out Section 803 of the 2024 FAA Reauthorization Act: when a private aircraft owner or operator asks, the FAA withholds the registration number and similar identifying data from public display.
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What that means for you: a missing private flight is often the owner's legal choice, not a fault in your app. Community-fed maps sometimes show aircraft that other apps hide, which is why two trackers can show different skies.
Live maps, personal trips or both
It's worth being clear about which job you're hiring the app for. Live-map trackers are brilliant for seeing every aircraft in the sky, replaying a route and spotting unusual planes, but they can feel busy if all you want is to know when your sister lands. Personal trip trackers do the opposite: they hide the noise and focus on your own flights, with alerts for check-in, gate changes and baggage belts.
Plenty of people end up with one of each. That's fine, as long as only one of them is allowed to send you notifications, otherwise you'll get every delay twice.
How to set up alerts for a flight you care about
- Add the flight by number and date as soon as you know it.
- Turn on push alerts for delays, gate changes and departures.
- Check where the inbound aircraft is coming from, as that's often the first sign of a delay.
- Share the flight with whoever is collecting you.
- Before you leave for the airport, refresh the arrival time rather than trusting the timetable.
- Remove old flights so your list stays easy to read.
Things that catch travellers out
- Alerts left switched off. Notifications are often off by default after you install an app.
- Codeshare numbers. Track the operating flight number, not just the one on your booking.
- Time zones. Check whether times show in local time at each airport or your phone's own time zone.
- Long delays. Have something to do while you wait; offline games for Android work without airport wifi.
Do you make a flight tracking app? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on picking a flight tracker
If you mostly track your own trips, choose an app built around personal flights and alerts, and make sure its notifications are switched on before travel day. If you love watching planes overhead, a live map with filters and playback will keep you busier.
For collecting people, a free account with email or push alerts is usually enough. Don't rely on the airline's timetable alone; the position of the incoming plane tells you far more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free flight tracker app?
Several apps here have a free tier with live maps and basic alerts. Upgrades usually add history, extra map layers and no adverts.
Why is a flight missing from the map?
Coverage depends on receivers on the ground, and some private owners ask for their aircraft to be hidden from public display.
Can a flight tracker tell me about delays before the airline does?
Often, yes. Watching the inbound aircraft and getting push alerts can show a delay before it appears on the departure board.
Do I need an account to track a flight?
Not always. You can usually view a flight without signing up, but alerts often need a free account.
Which app is best for plane spotting?
Choose one with a live map, aircraft filters and playback, so you can see what flew over earlier.
Can I share my flight with family?
Yes, many apps let you share a flight link or add someone to alerts so they know when you land.
