SkyText vs Flightradar24
Flightradar24 shows you the map. SkyText sends you the result.
By Tom Walsh
Try SkyTextFlightradar24 is probably the most visually stunning flight tracking tool ever built. The real-time 3D map, the augmented reality feature where you point your phone at the sky and see what's flying overhead, the global coverage with ADS-B data from thousands of receivers worldwide — it's genuinely cool. If you've ever watched a flight crawl across the Atlantic on a Saturday night, you know what I mean.
But there's a difference between watching a flight and being notified about a flight. FR24 is built for watching. You open the app, you find the plane, you see it moving on the map in real time. That's great if you're at home with the app open. It's less great if you're trying to sleep and just want to be woken up when the plane actually lands.
FR24 does have alerts, but they're locked behind the premium tiers — Silver ($1.49/month) or Gold ($4.49/month). Even then, the notifications go through push, which means they're subject to the same reliability problems as every other app notification: Do Not Disturb mode, battery saver delays, background app restrictions. And the free version? No alerts at all. You have to sit there and watch.
SkyText takes the opposite approach. There's no map. There's no 3D view. There's no augmented reality. You enter a flight number, enter a phone number, and when the plane lands, you get a text message. That's it. It's not exciting. It's not beautiful. But it works, and it works reliably, because SMS doesn't depend on your phone's notification settings.
The real question is what you're trying to do. If you love tracking planes and want the experience, Flightradar24 is unbeatable. If you're picking someone up at the airport and just need to know when to leave the house, SkyText is the simpler tool for that job. A lot of people end up using both — FR24 for fun, SkyText for the actual alert.
Comparison
How SkyText compares.
Other apps
SkyText
How it works
Three steps to peace of mind.
Enter the flight number
Type the flight number. No app to download.
Add your phone number
Enter the mobile number where you want to receive the alert.
Get a text when they land
We track the flight and send you an SMS. That's it.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions.
Does Flightradar24 send landing alerts?
It can, but only on the Silver or Gold paid plans, and they use push notifications rather than SMS.
Is Flightradar24 free?
The basic version is free and includes the live map. Alerts, more history, and extra features require a paid subscription.
Which is better for picking someone up at the airport?
SkyText. You set it once and get a text when they land. No need to keep checking the app.
Can I use Flightradar24 and SkyText together?
Yes. Watch the flight on FR24 for fun, and set up SkyText so you don't miss the landing if you stop watching.
Founder, SkyText
Aviation lover who built SkyText because families deserve to know when someone lands safely. Has tracked more flights than he'd like to admit.