On the cockpit
Attach a velcro case directly in view on the cockpit deck.
The Paragliding Variometer App for iPhone, Apple Watch & Android
Plan your route in the browser, hear the thermals in the air, keep an eye on airspace and traffic. On iPhone, Apple Watch and Android.
01
Variometer for paragliding
A complex algorithm combines gyroscope and barometer and responds instantly to every change in climb or sink rate. 18 frequency levels translate this directly into a beep – so you can keep your eyes on the sky, not the screen. On iPhone, the sensors are especially precise thanks to consistent hardware; on Android, accuracy depends on your device's built-in sensors. For full precision, pair a Bluetooth vario. Altitude, speed and glide ratio are of course displayed as well.
02
Wind Display
Automatic wind estimation from your flight pattern: 8 sectors are continuously analysed to precisely calculate direction and speed. A rotating compass always shows you where the wind comes from – crucial for take-off, landing and finding thermals.
02
Wind Display
After each complete circle, a timer starts and shows how long ago the last calculation was made. This way you always know whether your wind estimate is still current – crucial in changing conditions or after a longer straight section.
03
Real-time air traffic on the map
Live air traffic directly on the map: helicopters, powered aircraft and other pilots are displayed in real time before they become a problem – conflicts become visible before they happen. Critical approaches are shown directly in the flight display: distance and time remaining until the encounter – a yellow warning banner immediately draws attention. No need to look at the map, the warning comes to you. At no extra cost – fully included in the subscription.
04
Maps
All relevant map layers at a glance: thermal map, skyways, wind stations, launch and landing sites worldwide. The vario is directly integrated into the map view – including a rotating wind indicator that always shows where the wind is coming from.
05
Flight planning
Plan your route for free in the browser. Load a flight from XContest or DHV-XC and lay it next to your route as a comparison, plan FAI triangles and share the route at launch with a QR code. With your account it all goes to the app: in flight you see your plan, the comparison flight and your own track on one map.
06
Airspaces
Real-time OpenAIP airspaces on the map – with automatic voice alerts as you approach an airspace. The integrated altitude cross-section shows whether your current climb rate will take you vertically into a restricted zone. Warnings escalate automatically based on time remaining – and can be briefly snoozed when needed.
07
Flight Logbook
Every flight is recorded automatically – with duration, max altitude, distance, climb rate, speed and glide ratio. IGC export with Ed25519 signature, XContest and DHV-XC upload directly from the app. Your entire flight history always with you.
08
Thermal Assistant
The Thermal Assistant automatically detects circling patterns and analyses the last 3 circles for thermal strength and best climb direction. Colour-coded visualisation on the map shows you where the energy is – and where you should fly next. The Thermal Assistant is currently experimental and only available on iOS.
09
Apple Watch
The watchOS app runs completely standalone – no iPhone needed. Climb rate, altitude, speed and wind compass right on your wrist. Automatic take-off/landing detection and individual pilot settings directly on the watch. Flights are automatically synced to the digital logbook. Also supports the Engo smart glasses.
10
Flying with friends
See your flying group's live positions right on the map – who's circling where, who's climbing best. Stay together in the air and find the thermals as a team.
How accurate is the variometer for paragliding?
How well the built-in vario works depends on your device's pressure sensor. Vario One gets the most out of every device.
iPhone & Apple Watch
Apple ships uniform, high-quality pressure sensors across all models. That makes the built-in variometer flight-proven and responsive — no accessories needed.
Android
Android devices vary widely: barometer sample rate, noise behaviour and sensor quality differ by manufacturer and model. Vario One measures your device at startup and adapts its signal processing automatically — but the achievable precision remains device-dependent. You can try Vario One free for 14 days and see for yourself whether your device's built-in barometer is good enough, or whether you would rather work with a Bluetooth vario.
Bluetooth vario
With a paired BLE vario (BlueFly, Mipfly, Stodeus, Skytraxx, XC Tracer) every device gets instrument-grade precision — the full instrument experience, independent of your phone.
Mounting
How your smartphone flies safely with you
Vario One does not need a special mount. A simple case with velcro or a protected harness pocket is enough, as long as the phone sits securely and has GPS reception.
On the leg
An adjustable leg mount keeps the display easy to read.
In the side pocket
Protected in the harness when you do not need to watch the display constantly.
What Pilots Say
Reviews from the App Store
News
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most common questions about Vario One.
Which Bluetooth varios are supported?
Vario One pairs with common BLE varios: BlueFly, Mipfly, Stodeus, Skytraxx and XC Tracer. An external vario delivers instrument-grade precision on any phone — independent of the built-in barometer. Pairing runs directly in the app's settings.
Who do I contact for support?
You can reach the Vario One team anytime via our contact form.
How can I mount my smartphone for flying?
The simplest setup is a basic case with velcro: mount your smartphone on the cockpit or on a leg holder. A side pocket in the harness also works, as long as the phone sits securely and has good GPS reception.
Which devices are supported?
The most precise pressure sensors are in the Apple Watch 6, 7, 8, 9 and of course the Apple Watch Ultra. For iPhones, this applies to iPhone 12 Pro Max and later. These easily keep up with dedicated high-end variometers.
Can I try the app for free?
Yes, you can install and run the app independently on both the Watch and iPhone. You can try Vario One free for 14 days with no obligation. If you don't like it, you can cancel the subscription with a few taps at no cost. If you enjoy it, you can choose a plan (1 week, 3 months, 1 year) or simply wait – after 14 days the annual subscription activates automatically.
Is the display easy to read?
iPhone: To ensure best readability, we have a switch to change the design from dark to light mode (Dark Mode vs. White Mode). Apple Watch: We have built in a stronger contrast for the black tones compared to the iPhone. This also extends battery life while ensuring good visibility on the device.
iPhone: Can I fly in landscape mode?
Of course! The app was built so you can use it in both portrait and landscape mode. In landscape mode, the compass is on the left and all other data on the right.
iPhone: Can I transfer my flight logbook to a new iPhone?
Yes, very easily. Go to Settings and enable "Sync Flight Logbook", then sign in with your Apple Account. Your logbook is stored on our server. When switching to a new iPhone, simply enable the sync again and all your flights will be back.
Apple Watch: I recorded a flight on the Watch, but it does not appear in the flight logbook on my iPhone. What can I do?
The most common reason is that flight logbook sync was enabled only on the Apple Watch. Please enable "Sync Flight Logbook" on the iPhone as well and sign in there with your Apple Account. Also check that the flight was properly stopped on the Watch after landing. If it still does not appear, open the Watch app again while it has an internet connection so any pending upload can finish.
iPhone: How do I close the app?
Close it like any other iPhone app: swipe up from the bottom edge and pause in the middle, then swipe up over the app to close it.
Apple Watch: How can I keep the app in the foreground for hours?
On the main screen, swipe left and tap "Start Flight". The main screen will stay active and the vario will beep constantly – even in the background. Don't forget to tap "Stop Flight" after landing.
Apple Watch: How long does the battery last while flying?
Very well: tests showed ~92% battery remaining after one hour of active use. Tested with an Apple Watch 7.
Apple Watch: How do I display the compass with wind indicator in large format?
Double-tap the compass to expand it to full size. The wind is shown as an arrow inside the compass and rotates with the wind direction – so you always know where the wind is coming from.
Apple Watch: Can I use the Watch app WITHOUT an iPhone?
Yes! Vario One for Apple Watch is designed to work without an iPhone. The Apple Watch has its own precise sensors including barometer, GPS and a speaker. At just 38.8 g (aluminium model), it's probably the lightest vario with this feature set.
Apple Watch: Can the Apple Watch really output audio beeps?
Yes, we worked hard on this! Vario One outputs your climb rate as audio beeps through the Watch speaker. The tone curve was optimised together with league pilots and flight school instructors.
Apple Watch: I can't hear any beeps – what should I do?
If Vario One isn't outputting beeps, the volume is too low. Try this: 1. Open Vario One and turn the crown forward – does the volume change? 2. If not: open the "Now Playing" app on your Apple Watch (red icon with 5 bars). Select your Apple Watch as the device in the top left and increase the volume. This has worked for all support cases so far!
Android: How accurate is the variometer?
Unlike Apple, where all models share uniform, high-quality pressure sensors, Android devices vary widely in sensor quality. Vario One measures your device at startup and adapts its signal processing accordingly. In flight — with steady airspeed and smooth air — the sensor fusion works far more precisely than a living-room test. If you want instrument-grade precision on any device, pair a Bluetooth vario.
Android: Why does the vario sometimes show ±0.1 m/s on the ground when I move the phone?
Phone sensors are built for flight, not for the hand test: when you move the device and stop abruptly, a small residual value appears briefly and settles within one or two seconds. This does not happen in flight, because the device sits still in its mount and the sensor fusion works with airspeed and a stable attitude.
Android: Does Vario One work without a barometer?
Yes. Without a barometer, Vario One uses GPS for altitude, track and logbook. That is enough for flight recording. For precise acoustic vario feedback, we recommend an Android device with a barometer or an external Bluetooth vario.