The Paragliding Variometer App for iPhone & Apple Watch

Turn your iPhone & Apple Watch into a precise variometer with acoustic feedback, wind display and much more.

Vario One App auf iPhone und Apple Watch
01

Variometer

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. Altitude, speed and glide ratio are of course displayed as well.

Variometer
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.

Wind Display
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.

Wind Display
03

SafeSky Integration

Live air traffic directly on the map: helicopters, powered aircraft and other pilots are displayed in real time before they become a problem. The SafeSky integration makes conflicts 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.

SafeSky Integration 1
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SafeSky Integration 5
04

Maps & Airspaces

All relevant map layers at a glance: thermal map, skyways, wind stations, OpenAIP airspaces, DHV 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.

Maps & Airspaces 1
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Maps & Airspaces 5
Maps & Airspaces 6
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05

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.

Flight Logbook 1
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Flight Logbook 3
Flight Logbook 4
06

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.

Thermal Assistant 1
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Thermal Assistant 5
07

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.

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What Pilots Say

Reviews from the App Store

“It is amazing how well the rotating wind direction and wind speed display works. Compared with the Skytraxx for €650: the same values on the Watch app, iPhone app and Skytraxx.”

tobias289 vor 3 J.

“Very good app, clearly laid out, easy to use and very precise. On top of that, a very fair subscription model!”

Frank2524 vor 1 J.

“Very good for recording flight data and managing it in the logbook. Takeoff detection works great, so the app can simply run in the background. Thanks to the logbook, flights can be documented and managed easily.”

Dietze1989 vor 1 J.

“What I really like: flying with the Apple Watch, recording the track with the watch and having it visible directly on the phone map without any export or import.”

grasseralsdu vor 2 J.

“I used to fly with the Skytraxx 3, then got the 5, and came across Vario One by chance. Together with the iPhone and Apple Watch Ultra, it is an incredibly cool combination.”

skyman300 vor 1 J.

“The app is great, and I am especially impressed by the compatibility with the Watch. All important data is well organized in the app. The value for money is excellent too.”

pam.bit vor 2 J.

Frequently Asked Questions

Answers to the most common questions about Vario One.

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 3 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 3 days the annual subscription activates automatically.
Who do I contact for support?
You can reach the Vario One team anytime at info@vario-one.com.
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: How can I mount the iPhone for flying?
There are mounts for hardware variometers that attach to the leg with velcro. Get a cheap case for your iPhone, attach the velcro counterpart to it, and you can mount your iPhone just like any other vario.
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.
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!