Review Insights · App Store
APDL - Airline Pilot Logbook
NC Software, Inc. · 980 ratings · ★ 4.4
4.4
★★★★★
980 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 57 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"logbook"
22 negative reviews mention this · 39% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Beware. Paid for it with the impression that I could try for 30 days. Apparently the trial period is a different link. Lots of email threads showing how I couldn’t get it to work any better than manually inserting logbook data and the completely re…" - Mr Nick43
2
"year"
16 negative reviews mention this · 28% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No longer auto imports from Flica. That is all. Worked for years and no longer does. Quirky software. Beware." - getwings
3
"expensive"
15 negative reviews mention this · 26% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Lots of issues recently. This app has been great until just recently it started giving all kinds of issues with FDP. It’ll change dates for flights and has become a HUGE headache keeping everything straight with it. Not worth it at all and given how expensive it is…" - tjuba
4
"subscription"
14 negative reviews mention this · 25% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Not Worth The Money. I’ve been using APDL for years. Last year I got a year subscription, and it just came up for renewal. The price went from $12.99/mo last year to $38.99/mo? Are we kidding? One star just for that, when they’ve not added anything new since th…" - AnotherAirlinePilot
5
"apdl"
13 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "This app lost 10 years of flights. They just changed their password system and my log in to APDL no longer works. I’ve tried the reset process to recover my account but I never received any reset email from them even though I’ve requested a reset several times They don’t a…" - nprjunkie1
6
"been"
13 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Not Worth The Money. I’ve been using APDL for years. Last year I got a year subscription, and it just came up for renewal. The price went from $12.99/mo last year to $38.99/mo? Are we kidding? One star just for that, when they’ve not added anything new since th…" - AnotherAirlinePilot
7
"price"
12 negative reviews mention this · 21% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Not Worth The Money. I’ve been using APDL for years. Last year I got a year subscription, and it just came up for renewal. The price went from $12.99/mo last year to $38.99/mo? Are we kidding? One star just for that, when they’ve not added anything new since th…" - AnotherAirlinePilot
8
"product"
11 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "I tried it. Gave it my best shot, no avail.. As an airline pilot and seeing another pilot use this app, I had high hopes. Downloading and trying to get understand all its capabilities was somewhat of a challenge. There is NO human support. You can figure it out on your own or “watch …" - CaptainAmerica07
9
"schedule"
11 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Not worth the money. Airline schedules never import." - This is stupid mf
10
"years"
10 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No longer auto imports from Flica. That is all. Worked for years and no longer does. Quirky software. Beware." - getwings
11
"software"
10 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "No longer auto imports from Flica. That is all. Worked for years and no longer does. Quirky software. Beware." - getwings
12
"sync"
10 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Great product that lacks key features with current price. Long time user that eventually switched to LogTen Pro. I’ve been a APDL user since 2018 until this year once my subscription expires. APDL has some great features that I loved such as the Part 117 rest rules calculation, schedule import fro…" - swakid8
📋 All 57 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Beware
Paid for it with the impression that I could try for 30 days. Apparently the trial period is a different link. Lots of email threads showing how I couldn’t get it to work any better than manually inserting logbook data and the completely refuse to refund money. Sternly advise any other program.
Dishonest Owner
The owner refused to refund what was ordered by mistake. He told me I shouldn't have ordered it. True enough, but HORRIBLE customer service. As a career pilot, I can say with certainty he is NOT respected in the aviation community.
No longer auto imports from Flica
That is all. Worked for years and no longer does. Quirky software. Beware.
$130 a year and can’t upload trips
Used to be pretty good. But no ability to upload trips for me now has made it useless when I can use a $10 year to export a spreadsheet instead.
So many flaws
Funny how the program seems to work during the trial period, after its very un user friendly and too many flaws. DON’T WASTE YOUR MONEY, THEY DO ZERO REFUNDS FOR A DEFECTIVE APP!
This app lost 10 years of flights
They just changed their password system and my log in to APDL no longer works.
I’ve tried the reset process to recover my account but I never received any reset email from them even though I’ve requested a reset several times
They don’t accept email, they don’t have a phone number,
They want you to use their help desk, but when I try to register or recover my account. It’s the same thing, no email to reset, or http 500 error unable to process new account…
So I’ve lost 10 years of flights using this app..l. I don’t plan on renewing and I’m going to stop using this app…
I’ve tried the reset process to recover my account but I never received any reset email from them even though I’ve requested a reset several times
They don’t accept email, they don’t have a phone number,
They want you to use their help desk, but when I try to register or recover my account. It’s the same thing, no email to reset, or http 500 error unable to process new account…
So I’ve lost 10 years of flights using this app..l. I don’t plan on renewing and I’m going to stop using this app…
It’s great when it works, but way to buggy
As long as you update your logbook everyday you won’t have a problem but if you wait a bit and then update it APDL gets buggy and you’ll choose a day such as nov 15th but APDL will automatically put the date in that you open the app with and you can’t change it. So if you fly on the 15th and open the app on the 22nd no matter what day you specify on the calendar it lists the flight as occurring on the 22nd and won’t let you change it. Then after going back and forth closing opening the app and deleting log book entries it starts to work correctly. Just get an excel spreed sheet or use something else.
Not Worth The Money
I’ve been using APDL for years. Last year I got a year subscription, and it just came up for renewal. The price went from $12.99/mo last year to $38.99/mo? Are we kidding? One star just for that, when they’ve not added anything new since then. Take notes from FC View, because they’re stealing your client base.
I tried it. Gave it my best shot, no avail.
As an airline pilot and seeing another pilot use this app, I had high hopes. Downloading and trying to get understand all its capabilities was somewhat of a challenge. There is NO human support. You can figure it out on your own or “watch their videos” or view their “support” docs. None of which I found 100% useful to solve my getting up to speed problems with the product.
Shame too. I really wanted it to work.
Shame too. I really wanted it to work.
No support for cargo
117 does not apply to cargo pilots. There should be an option for which part you’re operating under, 117 or 121. As long as there’s no 121 support it’s next to worthless for freight pilots.
Lots of issues recently
This app has been great until just recently it started giving all kinds of issues with FDP. It’ll change dates for flights and has become a HUGE headache keeping everything straight with it. Not worth it at all and given how expensive it is I would not recommend.
Do not get this
I have been so incredibly frustrated with Logbook Pro and their APDL app. I have tried to get help for over a week and they still aren’t able to import from my companies flight scheduling software. I wish that I had a different logbook service all together at this point. Everything is constantly a headache.
Great App but to Expensive
I loved this app but it has gotten way to expensive. Tip download your data before your subscription expires.
Does not sync with logbook pro
Stand alone app that doesn’t talk to logbook pro. Disappointing, I would never have purchased this app if I knew it only half worked.
Got your review I’ve been to the site neither simple easy or fast. One star after your answer. Please!
Got your review I’ve been to the site neither simple easy or fast. One star after your answer. Please!
Update killed import
Either paying for it or the latest update killed FLICA import. Wasted $$$ unless they fix it fast. They didn’t fix it, thus I deleted it.
Makes changes that alienate customers
Recently released update that completely inhibits schedule import omg you have anything other than a pairing on your schedule! IE RAP, RSV, LCA, etc!!!
Been a NC Platform user since the beginning; desktop logbook pro license! I’ve always sang their praises until now!
This was a foul move on their part!
Been a NC Platform user since the beginning; desktop logbook pro license! I’ve always sang their praises until now!
This was a foul move on their part!
ADPL and Log Book Pro
Very useful tool. But I haven’t been able to import my schedule from my company and have to do it by “hand.” I’ve reached out to the company who sent me a link for self help. It would also be nice if flight times and flight data was preloaded into a logbook entery.
What is not advertised
Been a loyal customer for the past 2 years until NC Software pulled this line of crap. While out on sick leave when my subscription expired, I subsequently tried to access my logbook data but could not until I pay another $129 per year. This logbook history is data that I paid for in the initial cost ($239) to be exact. But now it is being held for ransom until I pay again and again for every year there after. No where does NC Software advertisements disclose this little known fact. Deceptive advertising! So unless you wish to become a victim of this practice, steer clear of them! So in closing, I tried to send and was prompted to enter a nickname so I could see the posting. I chose “disloyal customer“. Oddly enough, it had already been taken! Go figure!
Updates
With every update this app gets worse.
Absolutely abysmal customer service
Steer well clear of this product, not because the product itself is bad, but because of the exceptionally poor service from the company behind it. APDL itself is pretty decent software and has some really nifty features (but it is barely compatible with some airlines’ systems). It is buggy, and some of the features (example: resume) do not work properly. For all it does, APDL is not complete enough to be a standalone logbook, and for full functionality requires dumping the records into separate logbook software.
APDL is designed to work with Logbook Pro, which itself has seen no significant upgrades in years, and is lacking such basic functionality as the ability to search in custom text fields. Also, trying to print custom-formatted pages is nightmarish, if not impossible. Features such as schedule uploading, that used to be included with the one-time initial purchase price have been transformed into subscription services at no small annual cost.
All developmental attention seems to have been turned to APDL. I have registered complaints and feature requests on multiple occasions. None of my requests have been granted.
BE WARNED: NC Software customer service is practically nonexistent at best, and adversarial at worst. My impression is that this company takes your money and runs. For the most part, any issues you may have are simply “not their problem.” NC Software seems to have not the slightest inkling of the concept of customer delight or treating others the way they want to be treated.
APDL is designed to work with Logbook Pro, which itself has seen no significant upgrades in years, and is lacking such basic functionality as the ability to search in custom text fields. Also, trying to print custom-formatted pages is nightmarish, if not impossible. Features such as schedule uploading, that used to be included with the one-time initial purchase price have been transformed into subscription services at no small annual cost.
All developmental attention seems to have been turned to APDL. I have registered complaints and feature requests on multiple occasions. None of my requests have been granted.
BE WARNED: NC Software customer service is practically nonexistent at best, and adversarial at worst. My impression is that this company takes your money and runs. For the most part, any issues you may have are simply “not their problem.” NC Software seems to have not the slightest inkling of the concept of customer delight or treating others the way they want to be treated.
Pointless, way too expensive.
Useless, $14.99 for a month went up in the air. I will stick with the $4.99 QT thank you.
Can't be used as primary log book!?!
Can't believe this app isn't a full featured logbook. Says it will eventually sync with Logbook Pro. For $150 this app needs to be THE single solution to all things airline pilot. I guess once the sync feature is implemented it will be. The price is too high for what the app currently can do.
Glitchy
I'm a huge fan of NC software but this one needs a little work. It's extremely glitchy but could be an iOS9 issue. Also, not all airports are available. Would like to see the airport database expanded to all airports and not just major airports. I'm sure eventually they will get this right. Stand by for more.
No way to export data to logbook
ADPL is a nice app for logging time and staying legal. Unfortunately, there is no way to export the data or sync with any logbook software. ADPL needs to sync or export data to be useful. Until this happens, the subscription is not worth it.
Not intuitive
What a cluster. Nothing is intuitive. I tried it for a trip, and had enough.
Not worth it.
Save your money. This is far too expensive.
$$$$$$$$$$$
Way too expensive! 117 app works great for free! I'll continue to pay $29.99 for mobile. Once that price goes up, it's on to log ten pro X for me.
Too Expensive For What It Is
I would happily pay $150 a year for a full featured logbook and a system that automatically downloads my roster and calculates legality... APDL is really neither of those. The hassle of importing each trip and having to log everything gets tedious quickly
Utter horse hockey
Ridiculous price. AND no logbook pro integration? Are you joking?
Too expensive/no integration
As a longtime user of Logbook Pro, both the desktop and mobile versions, I was looking forward to this product. Unfortunately, NC Software has gone too far in asking $150/year for this app. No integration or ability to sync with Logbook Pro is inexcusable.
I've paid NC Software for Logbook Pro Desktop and I've paid for numerous subscriptions to Logbook Pro mobile sync and the schedule importer. I planned on switching to APDL years ago but the numerous delays in the product required extending my Logbook Pro subscriptions instead. Now that APDL is finally available (at a completely exorbitant cost), no credit is offered to those of us who had to extend Logbook Pro subscriptions due to the developer's delays. APDL is virtually useless to those of us who used NC Software's preceding product due to no integration with Logbook Pro. I will use a competing product from now on due to this issue and the cost of APDL.
I've paid NC Software for Logbook Pro Desktop and I've paid for numerous subscriptions to Logbook Pro mobile sync and the schedule importer. I planned on switching to APDL years ago but the numerous delays in the product required extending my Logbook Pro subscriptions instead. Now that APDL is finally available (at a completely exorbitant cost), no credit is offered to those of us who had to extend Logbook Pro subscriptions due to the developer's delays. APDL is virtually useless to those of us who used NC Software's preceding product due to no integration with Logbook Pro. I will use a competing product from now on due to this issue and the cost of APDL.
NO sync to LogbookPro and cost $$$
After trying this app for the past week, I am extremely disappointed with it. I have been a Logbook Pro user since 2002. I have purchased all of their products but after this, I may cut ties and just use my Logbook Pro Desktop to put in entries manually. I’m tired of being nickeled and dimed to death. I’ll explain below:
This is a slick product for 117 tracking and look back. I acknowledge that. But at what cost? [both in convenience and money]
What it IS NOT, is an actual Logbook nor does it provide a conduit to export flights inputed into APDL to Logbook Pro. Can you believe that??? What on earth was Neal thinking?
So, now I am charged with putting my flight times into a 117 tracker (which my airline does for me anyway due to its complexity) AND having to manually enter all my flights in my Logbook Pro Desktop…oh but don’t worry everyone, you can’t sync your flight times to your logbook BUT you can get a METAR/TAF, see when the sun will rise/set, and the kicker…you can build your resume???!!!! Seriously??? Who will actually use that? This product clearly wasn’t vetted by actual airline pilots.
I have spent literally thousands of dollars with Logbook Pro over the years and it just doesn’t seem to be enough. They now have to charge $150/yr for one to have the privilege of inputing your own flights into your REAL logbook. I was already paying $29.99 for schedule importer and $39.99 for cloud sync. (They just changed the price structure)
I should also mention that Neal has venomously refused to support Mac OS so I have also incurred the cost of purchasing other software (Parallels and Windows 7) just to keep a logbook (?).
I am utterly disgusted at the greed of Logbook Pro, and yes, I’m sure it took thousands of hours to program the new APDL software [but for something our airlines track for us anyway]. Let the airlines pay for. It seems like logbook companies LogTen included are going to a subscription based service trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip. If you want more money, get another job or make other software. All 117 has done for airline pilots is cost us money and given us less time at home with our families…now I have to decide if logbook entry convenience (or its lack there of in this product) is more important than feeding my children…you can guess how that will go.
This is a slick product for 117 tracking and look back. I acknowledge that. But at what cost? [both in convenience and money]
What it IS NOT, is an actual Logbook nor does it provide a conduit to export flights inputed into APDL to Logbook Pro. Can you believe that??? What on earth was Neal thinking?
So, now I am charged with putting my flight times into a 117 tracker (which my airline does for me anyway due to its complexity) AND having to manually enter all my flights in my Logbook Pro Desktop…oh but don’t worry everyone, you can’t sync your flight times to your logbook BUT you can get a METAR/TAF, see when the sun will rise/set, and the kicker…you can build your resume???!!!! Seriously??? Who will actually use that? This product clearly wasn’t vetted by actual airline pilots.
I have spent literally thousands of dollars with Logbook Pro over the years and it just doesn’t seem to be enough. They now have to charge $150/yr for one to have the privilege of inputing your own flights into your REAL logbook. I was already paying $29.99 for schedule importer and $39.99 for cloud sync. (They just changed the price structure)
I should also mention that Neal has venomously refused to support Mac OS so I have also incurred the cost of purchasing other software (Parallels and Windows 7) just to keep a logbook (?).
I am utterly disgusted at the greed of Logbook Pro, and yes, I’m sure it took thousands of hours to program the new APDL software [but for something our airlines track for us anyway]. Let the airlines pay for. It seems like logbook companies LogTen included are going to a subscription based service trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip. If you want more money, get another job or make other software. All 117 has done for airline pilots is cost us money and given us less time at home with our families…now I have to decide if logbook entry convenience (or its lack there of in this product) is more important than feeding my children…you can guess how that will go.
Too expensive
I have been waiting for this for a long time, then I saw the pricing structure and fell out of my chair. I can't believe they want $149 a year! Even for a one time deal that would be a lot, but for a subscription that is outrageous. I really hope that they take a look at this and rethink their plan. I have gritted my teeth at the sync cost for LBP and can't justify for the import or backup so I will be avoiding this until they come to a reasonable price point.
Deserves 0 stars
It's obvious that the 5 star reviews are written by employees of logbook pro. The asking price is absolutely insane and in no way justified by the performance of this product. Stay away.
Neal fails on many levels
You missed the mark by a long shot Neal. This quite possibly might lead to the demise of nc software..
Too Late and Not Worth the Subscription Costs
Having been a long time user of Logbook Pro and used APDL back in the Palm days, I was looking forward to this app. I spent a few days evaluating the app only to be disappointed. While it has some neat features, it is missing a big one: The ability to bi-directionally sync with LBP. Furthermore, the subscription fee is exorbitant at $150 per year. This product is not worth the cost.
I waited for this! What a joke!
After waiting years for this product, this is what they release. Not only is it ridiculously expensive, I can't even figure out how to use the App. There is no help. How do you import? This is pathetic at best.
Too expensive
It's too cumbersome and too expensive. I miss the old days with APDL.
Wow. Pathetically Greedy
I also have been a longtime user of Logbook Pro, and assumed there would be some crosstalk or at least make this a replacement for LBP. Neither appears to be true, and this is a classic example of extreme greed. I begrudginly pay the renewal for the schedule importer for LBP, but not gonna pay another $150 for this app. Too bad - was really looking forward to this one. Bad on you, Neal.
Total Disappointment
You would think after having such a successful product previously they would get this right. The product is feature rich but cumbersome. I think it's funny and I am slightly embarrassed for logbookpro. They have lost touch with their customers and fans. They are potentially leaving a huge void and opportunity for a future developer to swoop in. Mostly driven by a monthly fee higher than some of my home's utilities I will be leaving this app on the APP store shelf. Sad.
- 10 year former supporter
- 10 year former supporter
Once again logbook pro drops the ball!
This app is a year over due. FAR 117 started last January and we waited over a year for this. An app that crashes all the time and has a yearly subscription fee that is twice that of any other 117 tracker. Do everyone a favor and do not buy this app until Neal gets with reality and fixes his app and lowers his price point to a reasonable level. Switch to LogTen Pro X, save some money, and get an app that will actually work.
Too expensive!
Good product, but I'm very disappointed in the high subscription price. Maybe as a 10 year captain at a legacy airline I could afford this, but not as a new regional airline FO. LogTen Pro X is much more affordable with basically the same features. Good luck getting people to pay this much.
To expensive
Especially after already dropping a good chunk of change for the desktop software then pay $150 a year is absurd.
APDL/Logbook Pro Price Gouge Continues
$150 for a year subscription is absolutely ridiculous of a price point for their product. Neal lost many users to Logten Pro when he continuously called Apple products a fad and refused to support any iOS device after the Palm devices went bye bye. After Coradine switched to a subscription model with Logten Pro X many users were clamoring for APDLs return and we have it and we're again gouged by Logbook Pro and APDL with a subscription that more than doubles the competition. No thanks as you continue to be out of touch with your customers Neal! Logten Pro offers me seamless syncing between my iPhone, iPad and Mac I think I'll stick to that "fad". Nice try.
10 years too late
$250 too much
Not worth the money
Airline schedules never import.
Commute Information
When I request commuting flight information, the flights repeat showing two of the same flight
Works half the time, way over priced
Auto fill and flica data scrape work about half the time. Other apps cost a tiny fraction and have 80% of the features. Save your $$$
Yeah, it’s so-so
The app really does have a strong engine but when the vehicle takes a wrong turn, it is very hard to put it in reverse and get back on the right path.
Great product that lacks key features with current price
Long time user that eventually switched to LogTen Pro. I’ve been a APDL user since 2018 until this year once my subscription expires. APDL has some great features that I loved such as the Part 117 rest rules calculation, schedule import from Flica until it stopped working, pay calculations (one of my favorite features), however I was holding out for one key feature, a sync feature with logbook pro.
Once the price gone up this year to a point that nearly matched LogTen Pro that offers the ability to sync between devices, I no longer couldn’t justify to the expensive cost to stay with APDL. On top of that, there isn’t the ability to calculate Part 121 rest with APDL or couldn’t import my AIMs schedule into APDL.
My biggest feedback, start working on a sync feature with logbook pro even if means updating that application as well otherwise APDL is overpriced in comparison to its competitors.
Once the price gone up this year to a point that nearly matched LogTen Pro that offers the ability to sync between devices, I no longer couldn’t justify to the expensive cost to stay with APDL. On top of that, there isn’t the ability to calculate Part 121 rest with APDL or couldn’t import my AIMs schedule into APDL.
My biggest feedback, start working on a sync feature with logbook pro even if means updating that application as well otherwise APDL is overpriced in comparison to its competitors.
Co base and reserve issues
Not great for being based at more than one airport, frequent schedule changes, or reserve pilots
+ 7 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
85%
Positive (4-5★)
5%
Neutral (3★)
10%
Negative (1-2★)