ACE Checklist Editor vs Kneeboard for Pilots
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
ACE Checklist Editor
Create, manage, and execute aviation checklists digitally. Designed for pilots, it offers offline functionality, professional templates, and multi-format import/export for enhanced safety and efficiency in the cockpit.
- Digital aviation checklist creation
- Offline functionality
- Multi-format import/export (ACE, ForeFlight, Dynon)
- Professional templates
- Challenge & Response format
- Revision history
- Smart organization by aircraft or phase of flight
Read full descriptionHide full description
Transform Your Aviation Safety with Professional Digital Checklists ACE Checklist Editor is the professional pilot's choice for creating, managing, and executing aviation checklists on your iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Designed by pilots for pilots, ACE brings the reliability of paper checklists into the digital age with powerful features that enhance safety and efficiency. WHY PILOTS CHOOSE ACE • Universal Compatibility - Import and export checklists in ACE (.ace), ForeFlight (.fmd), and Dynon formats • Industry-Standard ACE Format - Compatible with Garmin avionics and other systems that support ACE files • Works Offline - All your checklists are stored locally on your device. No internet required in flight • Professional Templates - Start with expertly crafted templates for popular aircraft or create your own from scratch • External Drive Sync - Keep your checklists synchronized across devices using external drives • Smart Organization - Group checklists by aircraft, phase of flight, or custom categories SAFETY-FIRST DESIGN • Challenge & Response Format - Clear distinction between checklist items and expected responses • Emergency Procedures - Quick access to critical checklists with high-visibility formatting • Warning & Caution Items - Color-coded alerts for critical items that demand attention • Revision History - Track all changes with complete version control • No Distractions - Clean, focused interface designed for cockpit use POWERFUL FEATURES • Multi-Format Import & Export - Share checklists in Garmin (.ace) [.gcl and .gplts coming soon], ForeFlight (.fmd), or Dynon formats with other pilots and avionics systems • ForeFlight Integration - Import your existing ForeFlight checklists and export back in encrypted .fmd format • Dynon Compatibility - Full support for Dynon SkyView checklist format with proper line wrapping • Multiple Aircraft - Manage checklists for your entire fleet in one app • Customizable Sections - Organize by phase of flight: Preflight, Startup, Taxi, Takeoff, Cruise, Landing, Shutdown • Rich Formatting - Add notes, references, conditional items, and amplified procedures • Search & Filter - Quickly find any checklist or item across your entire library BUILT FOR REAL PILOTS Whether you're a student pilot building good habits, a CFI managing training aircraft, or a professional pilot flying complex aircraft, ACE adapts to your needs: • Student Pilots: Learn proper checklist discipline with clear, organized procedures • Flight Instructors: Create standardized checklists for your training fleet • Aircraft Owners: Maintain custom checklists that match your specific equipment and STCs • Professional Pilots: Manage multiple aircraft types with airline-style formatting ONE APP, EVERY DEVICE • Native iPhone, iPad, and Mac apps, all in one download • Edit on the Mac with a full desktop window, menus, and keyboard • Document-based app - Open .ace files directly from Files, email, or other apps • iCloud backup keeps your data safe YOUR DATA, YOUR CONTROL • All checklists stored locally on your device but auto synced via iCloud to other devices you control. • No account required • Core checklist editing is available without a subscription; optional subscriptions and lifetime purchases unlock additional features • Export your data anytime in ACE, ForeFlight, or Dynon formats • Privacy-focused: We never see your checklists IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE ACE Checklist Editor is designed to assist pilots but does not replace your aircraft's official Pilot Operating Handbook (POH) or FAA-approved flight manual. Always verify checklist items against your aircraft's official documentation. Every aircraft is unique with different equipment and STCs. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Additional Terms: https://www.acechecklist.com/terms Privacy Policy: https://www.acechecklist.com/privacy
Kneeboard for Pilots
Read full descriptionHide full description
Stop juggling paper, pens, and checklists in the cockpit. Kneeboard is the elegant, powerful, and essential iPad app designed to replace your traditional kneeboard, letting you focus on one thing: flying. Engineered by pilots for pilots, Kneeboard streamlines your entire in-flight workflow. Experience a writing feel, powered by Apple Pencil, that is as natural and responsive as pen on paper. COMMAND YOUR FLIGHT DECK, YOUR WAY Hit the ground running with built-in templates for Departures, Arrivals, ATIS, and more. Or, take complete control by seamlessly importing your own custom checklists, performance cards, or diagrams as PDF or PNG files. Your cockpit, your rules. FLUID NOTES, ZERO CLUTTER Scribble a clearance, sketch a holding pattern, or jot down frequencies with a lag-free, precision-driven drawing engine. Need to focus on a detail? Simply pinch-to-zoom and pan across the canvas with intuitive two-finger gestures. It’s powerful, but it stays out of your way. FIND ANYTHING, INSTANTLY Never lose a critical piece of information again. Assign custom names, tag notes as favorites for quick access, and organize everything with custom categories you create. Filter by "IFR Training," "Cross-Country," or by tail number to keep your log clean and accessible. ARCHIVE & SHARE LIKE A PRO With a single tap, export any note as a clean, high-quality PDF that merges your handwriting with the template background. It's perfect for debriefing with your CFI, logging flight details for your records, or professional record-keeping. Whether you're a student pilot on your first solo, a seasoned CFI, or a weekend flyer, Kneeboard is the most reliable co-pilot you'll have on your iPad. Download Kneeboard today and upgrade your flight experience.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is update cadence: ACE Checklist Editor at every 4 days against Kneeboard for Pilots's every 5 weeks. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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
Both are free to download. ACE Checklist Editor sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month and Kneeboard for Pilots sells 1 one-off in-app purchase. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
ACE Checklist Editor ships an update every 4 days, Kneeboard for Pilots every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | ACE Checklist Editor | Kneeboard for Pilots |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 3.2 (5 ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 50.0% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 5 — better | — |
| Update frequency | Every 4 days — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad — better | iPad |
| Requires iOS | 18.0 | 17.5 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 13 MB | 7 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Patrick Michalina | Selcuk Dolapci |
In-app purchases
ACE Checklist Editor
- ACE Pro Monthly$5.991 Month
- ACE Pro Annual$49.991 Year
- Fly Mode (Lifetime)$4.99
- PDF Export (Lifetime)$9.99
- Beechcraft Baron B55 (BE55)$9.99
Show 5 moreShow fewer
- Beechcraft Baron B58 (BE58)$9.99
- Beechcraft Baron B58P (B58T)$9.99
- Beechcraft Duchess (BE76)$9.99
- Piper JETPROP (PA46) Checklist$9.99
- ACE File Access (Lifetime)$99.99
Kneeboard for Pilots
- Kneeboard Pro$9.99
Questions
Is ACE Checklist Editor free?
Is Kneeboard for Pilots free?
Do ACE Checklist Editor or Kneeboard for Pilots have ads?
Which is updated more often, ACE Checklist Editor or Kneeboard for Pilots?
Other comparisons















