Comparison

smartMFD by Guardian Avionics vs Plen

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

smartMFD by Guardian Avionics

This app transforms your mobile device into a multifunction display for aircraft, showing flight data, engine performance, and navigation charts. It records flight data for later analysis and provides alerts for carbon monoxide levels and pulse oximetry when connected to compatible hardware.

Highlights
  • Multifunction display (MFD)
  • Flight data recording and analysis
  • Engine performance monitoring
  • VFR/IFR charts and approach plates
  • CO level alerts
  • Pulse oximeter readings
Read full description

The Guardian Avionics smartMFD application for Apple iOS is what makes the smartPlane system a true budget-friendly multifunction display for your aircraft. Powered with data from the smartPlane product line, the smartMFD provides a user-friendly display of aircraft positional and attitude data, engine performance data, and VFR/IFR charts and approach plates for easy reference. The smartMFD app also provides CO level alerts and pulse oximeter readings (when connected to smartLink 555). The smartMFD application records all flight data and automatically uploads it to the smartData web app from Guardian Avionics -- allowing you to analyze engine performance trends and review past flight path data. When used with a smartPanel dock for the iPad or iPhone in your instrument panel - smartMFD can provide you everything you need in a multifunction display for a fraction of the cost of many others on the market. What can smartMFD do? ----- Easy to understand MFD display. GPS location, speed, altitude, and engine data recording with automatic uploading to smartCloud web app. Accurate airspeed and altitude data display. Attitude display with AHRS equipped smartPlane products. Configurable engine monitor display with custom warning thresholds. VFR & IFR sectional chart display with airport information and approach plates. METAR & TAF weather data with AIRMET/SIGMET map overlays. Carbon Monoxide level reporting and alerting when connected to smartPlane products. Pulse oximeter data display (smartLink 555 only). **Requires Guardian Avionics smartLink 554, 555, 650, or 851 for full functionality. --- App access to the health app data to fetch heart rate and blood oxygen level to show in the app. --- In-App Purchases: Plan 1 - DATA ACCESS It includes features like EIS, Engine gauges, Push Notification, iWatch Basic, 2D Map Weather, Chart VFR, Pilot logs. Graphs and Google Earth Plan 2 - VFR It includes all Plan 1 features + iWatch hearth rate and Flight Bag Plan 3 - VFR It includes all Plan 2 features + Chart IFR and Squawk Form Plan 4 - POWER USER It includes all Plan 3 features + Air Show for Passengers Plan 5 - Commercial User It includes all Plan 4 features + Multiple Aircraft users --- Price may vary by location. Subscriptions will be charged to your credit card through your iTunes account. Your subscription will automatically renew unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. You will not be able to cancel the subscription once activated. Manage your subscriptions in Account Settings after purchase. --- Privacy Policy: https://guardianavionicsdata.com/Device/PrivacyPolicy Terms of Service: https://guardianavionicsdata.com/Device/TermsConditions

About

Plen

Track aircraft in real-time with live location updates. See planes as they fly and monitor weather conditions along their routes. Discover various types of aircraft with this intuitive radar tool.

Highlights
  • Real-time ADS-B tracking
  • Live aircraft location updates
  • Weather updates for flight paths
  • Discover different types of aircraft
  • Intuitive radar interface
Features
Read full description

Meet Plen. Plens are in the sky all around us. Track plens with Plen, find plens, see plens. All with Plen. Find fun plens, fast plens, slow plens. Plen. Key Features: Real-Time ADS-B Tracking: Plen location updated in real time. Weather Updates: Watch plens fly through sky poofs. Download Plen.

Screenshots

smartMFD by Guardian Avionics3 screens
Plen3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Plen at none against smartMFD by Guardian Avionics's 10. Plen also leads on update cadence (every 6 days vs every 3 months). smartMFD by Guardian Avionics's advantage is device support (4 vs 2) and iOS requirement (13.0 vs 17.0). On price and ads there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. smartMFD by Guardian Avionics sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $0.49 per 7 days. Plen asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

smartMFD by Guardian Avionics ships an update every 3 months, Plen every 6 days. The most recent releases landed on October 23, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard5 real differences · 5 level
smartMFD by Guardian Avionics versus Plen: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParametersmartMFD by Guardian AvionicsPlen
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.7 (3 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews—100.0% of reviews
Number of ratings3 — better—
Update frequencyEvery 3 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS13.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size121 MB203 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCo guardian llcAutomata Solutions Ltd.

Customer experience

smartMFD by Guardian Avionics

All ratings3 ratings
Positive66.7%
Neutral0.0%
Negative33.3%

Plen

Written reviews2 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

smartMFD by Guardian Avionics

Subscriptions10
  • Plan 4 (Weekly)$0.497 Days
  • Plan 1 (Monthly)$9.991 Month
  • Plan 3 (Monthly)$12.991 Month
Show 7 more
  • Plan 4 (Monthly)$24.991 Month
  • Plan 5 (Monthly)$29.991 Month
  • Plan 1 (Yearly)$99.991 Year
  • Plan 2 (Yearly)$149.991 Year
  • Plan 3 (Yearly)$199.991 Year
  • Plan 4 (Yearly)$249.991 Year
  • Plan 5 (Yearly)$299.991 Year
None

Plen

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is smartMFD by Guardian Avionics free?
smartMFD by Guardian Avionics is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Plen free?
Plen is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do smartMFD by Guardian Avionics or Plen have ads?
Neither smartMFD by Guardian Avionics nor Plen shows ads.
Which is updated more often, smartMFD by Guardian Avionics or Plen?
smartMFD by Guardian Avionics ships an update every 3 months, and Plen every 6 days. Most recently, smartMFD by Guardian Avionics was updated on October 23, 2026 and Plen on October 27, 2026.

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