Knowing what's happening with your flight before the airline tells you about it keeps you in control. You can rebook before the queue forms, let someone waiting at arrivals know you're running late, or confirm that the plane you're about to board has actually landed at your airport.
Flightradar24 is the best flight tracker available, giving you essential information before your airline does.
I tested the top-ranked flight tracking apps, and Flightradar is leaps and bounds better than most. It uses real-time aircraft position to give you the most accurate information. Plus, it's the most fun I've had with an app since The Sims' University expansion pack. And it's a tool you'll actually want to keep on your phone. If you have any overseas travel coming up, download Flightradar24 before you go.
Free for iOS and Android.
Pro subscription available.
Heading abroad? Your phone plan needs to keep up.
Flightradar24 only works if you're connected to a cellular network. Make sure you have an international data plan that travels with you before you fly. Compare the most popular options with international coverage below.
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T-Mobile
Experience More
$85.00/mo
with Auto-Pay + Taxes and fees
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Verizon
Unlimited Ultimate
$85.00/mo
+ Taxes & Fees. Price includes AutoPay & Paperless discount.
+ $40 Upfront
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AT&T
Premium 2.0℠
$90.00/mo
+ $35 Upfront
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What is Flightradar24?
Flightradar24 is a live global air traffic map that shows every trackable aircraft in the sky—in real time. That includes commercial flights, private charters, helicopters, air ambulances, military choppers, and more.
Tap any moving icon on the map, and you instantly get the flight number, route, altitude, speed, and aircraft type (unless it's a private jet). It's available on both iOS and Android, and the core experience is entirely free.
Is Flightradar24 accurate?
Flightradar24 uses the ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast) system to get live flight information. Aircrafts continuously broadcast their positions, speeds, altitudes, and flight numbers to ground receivers worldwide. That's the same information air traffic controllers work with to know how many vehicles are flying at once, which is why it's so accurate.
Flightradar24 collects all of that data and displays it live on a map. So not only is it entertaining to see all of the planes and choppers soaring on the map (yes, they move), but Flightradar24 displays the most accurate information possible.
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See everything in the sky in real-time
Open the app and marvel at a real-time map with hundreds (or thousands) of moving plane icons, each one representing an actual aircraft in flight at that very moment. You can even zoom out far enough to see airbases lighting up across the Mediterranean, or zoom in to watch a single aircraft trace its path over your city.
You can tap on any icon to see more information, given it isn't a private aircraft. Bad Bunny probably doesn't want everyone to know where he's jetting off to. Flightradar24 includes lots of details like airline information, starting point, final destination, and plane specifications—including a neat image of the specific Airbus.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
If you don't like the default map in the app, you can customize the view. Nine different map views are available in the app's settings, including satellite, black and white, and terrain. I personally prefer a hybrid view so I can see geographic features alongside country and city borders. You can also toggle on airline labels for better visibility when tracking a specific carrier.
For tracking your own upcoming flight, add the flight number under your profile in the bottom menu, and monitor it along its scheduled route. The app shows you exactly where the plane is, how long until it reaches your airport, and whether there are any active delays. It's like SimCity, but real life, and once you open it, it's hard to close.
Plane overhead? AR shows you who it is
Point your phone camera at any plane flying overhead and Flightradar24's Augmented Reality mode identifies it instantly: airline, aircraft type, altitude, destination, flight number. It's a little glitchy if your phone calibration is off, but when it works, nothing else comes close.
Image: Jessica Santero | WhistleOut
Do note that anyone tracking flights in conflict regions might not get reliable data. GPS jamming can cause aircraft positions to appear inaccurate. A Reddit thread from r/flightradar24 in early 2026 flagged this specifically for the Middle East, noting that tracking data in affected regions can't always be trusted to be accurate.
What does Reddit think about Flightradar24?
Aviation communities consider it unbeatable for live sky awareness. u/TechTraveler_Gizmo on r/apps said, "The AR feature is still the coolest party trick in tech. Was at a BBQ yesterday and identified a Lufthansa A380 at 30,000 feet just by pointing my phone."
You honestly don't need to upgrade
The free version of Flightradar24 is excellent. The map is smooth, the data is super detailed, and the ads are non-intrusive. Honestly, I barely noticed them during testing. For most travelers, the free version is your best bet.
Pro adds two main upgrades, including current weather conditions layered over the map, and a 3D cockpit-style view of whichever plane you're tracking. Both are neat extras, but neither is essential for tracking your own flights.
If you're an aviation enthusiast who wants to spend time exploring air traffic for its own sake, Pro makes the experience richer. If you just want to know where your plane is, save your money. Either way, Flightradar24 is an essential free download before any flight. Install it, point it at the sky at least once, and enjoy.
How WhistleOut reviews apps
Our mobile experts test apps on real devices before recommending them. For flight trackers, we evaluated real-time tracking accuracy, map quality, feature depth, and free vs. paid value.
- Hands-on testing
Flightradar24 was tested on both iOS and Android during live air traffic sessions. - Easy to use
We select apps that are intuitive from the first open, with no manual required. - Affordability
Extra credit for apps that deliver great experiences without requiring a paid upgrade.
Flightradar24: FAQ
Is Flightradar24 accurate?
For the vast majority of commercial flights, yes. The app uses ADS-B data from a global network of ground receivers for highly accurate real-time tracking.
Is Flightradar24 completely free?
Yes, Flightradar24 is free to download and use. You can opt for Pro, which adds weather overlays and a 3D plane view, but you don't need either to track flights or use the AR feature effectively.
Can Flightradar24 track private planes?
Most private aircraft can be tracked if they're transmitting ADS-B data, though some owners opt out and won't appear on the map. If they do appear on the map, it's unlikely you can see their details. It'll just say "Private Charter."
How is Flightradar24 different from Flighty?
Flightradar24 is best for real-time visual tracking and spotting all aircraft in the sky. Flighty is purpose-built for tracking your own flights with smarter, earlier delay alerts—but it's iOS-only.
Jessica Santero
Staff Writer
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