Apps are good marketing tools but doubt they will ever really work in the pj market. Too many variables for an app to deal with, crew duty, FET in USA never included on quotes normally, out of hours charges, parking restrictions, and it does not know if the aircraft will need a permit to fly (US operator departing Europe PART 135).
Jetsmarter buys their data from Avinode and their app makes the information look good. They do the same as all brokers do. Although Jetsmarter say they are not a broker that's exactly what they are just have an app. They go out for quotes through Avinode as all operators will have seen.
If you search a flight from Europe to USA for the next day on the Jetsmarter app at least 4 of the options are aircraft in US so no chance they could fly over and leave the next morning. App does not understand crew rest.
US operators are restricted on crew duty 10 hours flying so need heavy crew for a Europe to West Coast again the app does not know that.
Fly Victor also buys the data from Avinode so neither company is really reinventing the wheel just rebranding Avinode and that is never that accurate anyway.........
Jetsmarter are $52m USD in the game now which is not an insignificant amount of money - might take a while to get that back! Believe XO Jet are the largest benefactor on their purchase of empty legs in the US. Not many European operators have gone with their deal due to the terms of the contract. There are penalties if the operator pulls an empty leg. I am sure if operators wanted too they could be selective on what empty legs they offer Jetsmarter.
Jetsmarter are putting up their initial fee perhaps shareholders asking when the return is coming.
Will be interesting to see if they raise some more cash in the near future.