Bushnell Launch Pro vs SkyTrak+ (2025 Update): Which Golf Launch Monitor Should You Buy?

***Updated in June 2025 to include many software, pricing, and feature updates to both the Launch Pro & SkyTrak+***

If you’re serious about a dream golf simulator setup, there’s a very good chance that you’re deciding between the Bushnell Launch Pro and the SkyTrak Plus.

It’s true that technology has advanced to the point where we have great golf launch monitor options for under $1,000. But those more affordable choices still include some limitations that disqualify them from the debate for best overall.

The under-$3,000 price point is really where the conversation begins about the ideal golf launch monitor for a real-deal simulator setup. You certainly can spend a lot more than this and find even better features, but it’s when you go past the price of the Bushnell Launch Pro and SkyTrak+ that you start to experience some diminishing returns in terms of data, accuracy, and simulator software compatibility. In a lot of ways, these two products represent the sweet spot of the best golf launch monitors in 2025.

In late 2024, Bushnell and sister company Foresight Sports announced plans to discontinue the Launch Pro. They’re replacing it with a revamped Foresight GC3 and GC3S lineup and an indoor-only Bushnell LPi.

Honestly, I’m shocked! Why you would mess with a product in the Launch Pro that has become an absolute legend is beyond me.

But… For the savvy 2025 launch monitor shopper, this news spells opportunity. A limited amount of Launch Pros remain available. And here’s the thing: This launch monitor is now the only model in this price range that allows for a ball-data-only option. That means that, for as long as they last, you can get a Launch Pro for as little as $1,999.99. Friends, let me tell you straight up, if you don’t need club data, you are not going to find a better deal than a $2K Launch Pro. Period. Honestly, if you just want the most accurate ball data, I’d stop reading now and get a Launch Pro before they’re gone.

But let’s continue…

The FlightScope Mevo Plus also belongs in this sweet spot of launch monitors in 2025 debate. We’ve done some comparisons that include that product. But for now, let’s walk through why the SkyTrak Plus and Bushnell Launch Pro are rightfully on the short list of so many shoppers. And while we’re at it, let’s try to identify where each of them fall a bit short of being perfect.

I’ve reviewed the SkyTrak+ and Bushnell Launch Pro individually, and I’ve spent a lot of time using both units indoors, outdoors at the driving range, and out on the golf course. For this comparison, I’ve selected 10 categories that address most of the common questions when shopping for a golf launch monitor. I’ve scored each device on a scale of 0 through 5 for each category. My goal here is to share my experiences and opinions in a way that helps you envision which of these two products better fits your individual situation.

If you’ve narrowed down your search for the best golf launch monitor to these two products, I can say before we even begin our shootout that you’re on the right track. Now, let’s help you pick a winner.

Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Price

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 3

The reason the Launch Pro gets the nod here isn’t because the SkyTrak+ is unfairly priced. That’s not the case at all. But the Launch Pro is the only product on the market that allows you to access tour-level ball data accuracy for just $2,000. There are other golf launch monitors that are as accurate, but they cost way more. And there are plenty of choices that cost less, but they can’t compete with the Launch Pro in terms of consistently producing pinpoint accurate numbers.

You can get in the door with a Launch Pro for $1,999.99. That gets you ball data that we’ll discuss below. To add club data, you’ll have to pay $3,499.99. And to play simulator golf, there is a subscription fee, which we’ll talk about later. But the fact that you can access ball data that’s accurate enough to be relied on by playing and teaching professionals for $1,999.99 wins this category for the Bushnell Launch Pro.

As a 2025 reminder, the Launch Pro has been discontinued. So we’re down to the last of the stock that remains. That means that this ball-data-only price that seems too good to be true actually will be too good to be true soon enough.

The SkyTrak+ is a phenomenal golf launch monitor and simulator. It’s loaded with features and includes a really user-friendly, fun, interactive software experience. And it has no shortage of data metrics. At $2,995, I think it is a fantastic value.

But what I don’t like about the SkyTrak+ is that there’s not an option to only pay for the data you want. With the Launch Pro, if you just want ball data, you can save some money. But the SkyTrak+ doesn’t give you that choice. You’re going to pay for the full range of data metrics whether you plan to use all of that information or not.

First Impressions Upon Unboxing

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 5

Each of these products gives you the immediate impression that you’re playing in the big leagues.

I would describe the look and feel of the SkyTrak+ device and packaging as bright and inviting. Somehow it conveys the sense that you’re about to have a whole hell of a lot of simulator golf fun.

The Bushnell Launch Pro gives off a more serious vibe. It gave me the impression that I was dealing with a professional-grade piece of golf technology. When it comes to sturdiness, the Launch Pro is in a complete class of its own. You get a feeling of unparalleled quality the first time you pick up this product.

While I wouldn’t choose a launch monitor based on just looks and feel, if you’re going to spend this kind of money, you should be filled with confidence the first time you see and hold this kind of product. And both the SkyTrak+ and Bushnell Launch Pro sufficiently gave me the warm and fuzzies.

Setup Process

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 3

For the same reason that I loved the setup process with the Swing Caddie SC4 Pro in the under-$1,000 golf launch monitor category, I love the Bushnell Launch Pro. It’s the built-in display that allows you to get data without even having to interface with any software that I think is brilliant. If you just want to get your numbers quickly, it couldn’t be easier than with the Launch Pro. You have the option to literally turn on the device, set it down, and start getting data.

Now, you of course can connect the Launch Pro with the Foresight Sports software, which you’ll likely want to do most of the time that you’re using the device. And I found that setup process to also be simple. But the reason for the highest mark in this category for me is the beautiful ease of use that the built-in screen affords.

I know the setup process with the SkyTrak Plus has been seamless for a lot of users, but I hit a couple initial snags when it came to pairing the device with my computer. I ended up having to call SkyTrak’s customer service, and they were extremely responsive and helpful. Once I got everything working properly, I didn’t have any subsequent issues. But that little bit of a herky-jerky start was enough for me to dock the score for the SkyTrak+ setup process.

Portability

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 3

Neither of these golf launch monitors is quite as portable as products like the more diminutive FlightScope Mevo+ or Rapsodo MLM2PRO, both of which include very functional carrying cases. But between the Launch Pro and SkyTrak+, I prefer the Launch Pro for transport. It’s actually the larger and heavier of the two, but the built-in handle and natural shape of the unit lend themselves to a very simple one-handed carry.

Unfortunately, the SkyTrak+ doesn’t include a handle. That makes its rectangular shape just a bit awkward for quick transport. I would love it if they would have included a simple carrying pouch. Then again, I really see most golfers using their SkyTrak+ primarily indoors. So if you’re planning to set this up in your sim studio and never move it again, who cares about portability?

Golf Launch Monitor Data

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 5

For less than $3,000, the SkyTrak+ offers an impressive and very useful array of data metrics, including:

• Ball speed
• Clubhead speed
• Carry distance
• Total distance
• Distance offline
• Smash factor
• Backspin
• Side spin
• Club path
• Face angle
• Face to path
• Face to target
• Launch angle
• Angle of descent
• 3D flight path

That’s about everything most home golf simulator users would want or need. While I do wish there were a bit of an a la carte option to pay for different tiers of data, I’m thrilled with this set of metrics. And for the price, I think it represents tremendous value.

The Bushnell Launch Pro, as discussed, comes in two flavors: The Ball Data model and the Ball and Club Data Model.

With the Ball Data model, for $1,999.99, you get:

• Carry Distance
• Ball Speed
• Total Spin
• Horizontal Launch Angle
• Vertical Launch Angle
• Back Spin
• Side Spin
• Spin Tilt Axis
• Barometer

The Ball and Club Data model, which costs $3,499.99, adds:

• Clubhead Speed
• Club Path
• Angle of Attack
• Smash Factor

As far as accuracy goes, the Bushnell Launch Pro is as good as or better than any product out there, including ones that cost twice as much. So to be able to get pinpoint accurate ball data for $2K is sick. But for $3,499.99, I wish they had just a few more metrics, like what you get with the FlightScope Mevo+.

Outdoor Golf Launch Monitor Use

Bushnell launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 3

This is an area where the Bushnell Launch Pro pulls well ahead of the SkyTrak+. As outstanding of a golf launch monitor and simulator as the SkyTrak+ is (and it most certainly is), it leaves something to be desired outdoors.

The positive is that the SkyTrak+’s advanced photometric and dual-Doppler radar technologies are fully equipped to accurately capture golf shots in outdoor settings, even under the glare of bright sunlight. My testing confirmed that metrics such as distance, ball speed, and flight path were equally precise in outdoor environments as they were indoors.

The problem is that all of the above accuracy was only apparent when I was hitting off of mats. My attempts to log shots from natural grass led to a variety of unreliable outcomes, including numerous missed shots and some dubious data readings.

Therefore, despite the impressive accuracy of the SkyTrak+ outdoors when hitting off of mats, its limitation with natural grass significantly narrows its appeal as an optimal outdoor golf launch monitor.

The Bushnell Launch Pro, on the other hand, works like a dream outdoors, including off of natural grass and mats. I had absolutely no issues getting the launch monitor to read shots no matter the lie.

When you combine that with the simplicity of getting quick data from the built-in screen, the Launch Pro is the perfect golf launch monitor to bring out to the range or for a pre-round warmup session.

Indoor Use

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 5

I said at the beginning that these two products represent the sweet spot where golfers who are serious about a proper indoor sim studio setup are likely to land. You can spend less than this, but you’re going to be missing something. And you can spend more than this, but you don’t have to.

That’s because both the Bushnell Launch Pro and SkyTrak+ give you phenomenal performance in any component that’s important for realistic indoor golf. You get pretty much all the data you could want, you get incredible accuracy, and you get great simulator golf courses, ranges, challenges, and more.

To me, the SkyTrak+ shines brightest indoors. With it being mostly limited to hitting mat use and with its software being so good for the sim golf experience, this is where I see most people using this product most enjoyably.

And while the Bushnell Launch Pro is amazing outdoors, it’s likewise outstanding indoors. I like the software with the SkyTrak+ slightly better, but the incredible accuracy of the Bushnell Launch Pro more than balances that out.

But there is something to consider when it comes to indoor golf with either of these launch monitors. And that is that because they both set up next to the golfer rather than behind them, neither of these products is an ideal choice if you’re planning to play regularly with both righties and lefties. If you want to avoid having to move the launch monitor back and forth depending on which-handed golfer is hitting, you should look at radar units that sit behind the golf ball. On the other hand, photometric products like the Bushnell Launch Pro and SkyTrak+ require a lot less room depth than their radar counterparts.

Golf Launch Monitor and Simulator Features

Bushnell Launch Pro = 5; SkyTrak Plus = 5

I think by now you get the idea that I love the built-in display on the Bushnell Launch Pro. I just think it makes it such a versatile golf launch monitor that’s an incredible choice for both indoor and outdoor use. That may be just one “feature,” but to me it’s such a big one that it warrants the highest score in this category.

With the SkyTrak+, I think it’s the overall app and software experience that I’d rate as its most impressive feature. There are so many fun game-improvement options built into the overall SkyTrak+ experience. You’ve got challenge modes, skills assessment, shot optimizer, practice randomizer, bag mapping, and a wedge matrix. And the app packages all of that in a really clean, intuitive way. It makes using this product an absolute blast.

And what’s even cooler is that SkyTrak+ continues to upgrade and enhance their software. In fact, I think they’re doing a better job in 2025 of any launch monitor company at introducing continuous improvements.

Golf Simulator Use

Bushnell Launch Pro = 4; SkyTrak Plus = 5

SkyTrak made a huge leap forward with the SkyTrak+ viability when they announced their own in-house golf simulator software in 2024. And then, in 2025, they doubled the number of sim courses available. Course Play, as they call it, gives users the option between a Foresight Sports-created pack of 30 courses and a Trackman-created pack of 30 courses. Users can buy one or both.

Best of all, the graphics and details on these new courses are really, really good. It’s an excellent addition to what was already a really great SkyTrak+ software platform. The only issue, as we’ll discuss in just a minute, is that using this software is a tad expensive.

Still, when you add these new awesome simulated golf courses to all of the inventive virtual driving ranges and target-practice games that SkyTrak’s software includes, it makes this one of the very best user experiences of any of the golf launch monitors available today.

With the Bushnell Launch Pro, you’ve got access to what just might be the best overall simulator software in the industry, the Foresight FSX suite. These courses are so unbelievably detail-rich and lifelike. However, you will need to pay for the $499-per-year Gold Subscription to access that simulator software.

Also, it used to be that you could use the Launch Pro to play third-party simulator software like GSPro without the Gold Subscription. But that’s changed, and I’m still miffed enough about that to drop them down a peg in this category.