Comparison

ACE Checklist Editor vs MachDB

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

Head to head
About

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.

Highlights
  • 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
Features
Read 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

About

MachDB

Easily download and transfer Garmin avionics database updates to an SD card using your iPhone or iPad. This app supports a wide range of Garmin avionics and requires only a standard USB-C SD card reader. Updates are fast and convenient for field use.

Highlights
  • Download Garmin database updates
  • Transfer updates to SD card
  • iPhone and iPad compatible
  • Supports various Garmin avionics
  • Uses standard USB-C SD card reader
  • Fast Wi-Fi/Cellular downloads
Read full description

MachDB allows you to download and transfer Garmin avionics database updates to an SD card in seconds using your iPhone or iPad for fast updates in the field. All you need is your iPhone or iPad and a standard USB-C SD card reader. No proprietary hardware required! Download fast over Wi-Fi or Cellular connections. MachDB is compatible with all modern Garmin avionics that use SD cards or USB keys for database updates, using your existing Jeppesen or Garmin database account. Supported avionics include: -Garmin G1000, G1000 Nxi, Perspective and Perspective + -Garmin G3000 and Perspective Touch -Garmin GTN 600 and 700 Xi -Garmin G500, G600 and G700 -Garmin G3X and G2000 -Garmin GI 275 Supported Database Providers: -Jeppesen -Garmin

Screenshots

ACE Checklist Editor4 screens
MachDB3 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: MachDB at 100% against ACE Checklist Editor's 50%. MachDB also leads on rating (5.0 vs 3.8) and in-app purchases (none vs 10). On price, ratings volume, update cadence 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. ACE Checklist Editor sells 10 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. MachDB asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

MachDB holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 3 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 50% of ACE Checklist Editor's written reviews are positive against 100% of MachDB's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACE Checklist Editor ships an update every 9 days, MachDB every 2 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 1, 2026 and September 24, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard4 real differences · 6 level
ACE Checklist Editor versus MachDB: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACE Checklist EditorMachDB
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (3 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews100.0% of reviews — better
Number of ratings4 — better3
Update frequencyEvery 9 days — betterEvery 2 weeks
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesNo — better
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree — better
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB16 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPatrick MichalinaMachDB LLC

Customer experience

ACE Checklist Editor

All ratings4 ratings
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews4 reviews
Positive50.0%
Neutral50.0%
Negative0.0%

MachDB

All ratings3 ratings
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%
Written reviews1 reviews
Positive100.0%
Neutral0.0%
Negative0.0%

In-app purchases

10 purchases

ACE Checklist Editor

Subscriptions2
  • ACE Pro Monthly$5.991 Month
  • ACE Pro Annual$49.991 Year
One-time8
  • Fly Mode (Lifetime)$4.99
  • PDF Export (Lifetime)$9.99
  • Beechcraft Baron B55 (BE55)$9.99
Show 5 more
  • 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
None

MachDB

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is ACE Checklist Editor free?
ACE Checklist Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is MachDB free?
MachDB is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Which has better reviews, ACE Checklist Editor or MachDB?
MachDB is rated higher. ACE Checklist Editor averages 3.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while MachDB averages 5.0 from 3 ratings.
Do ACE Checklist Editor or MachDB have ads?
Neither ACE Checklist Editor nor MachDB shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACE Checklist Editor or MachDB?
ACE Checklist Editor ships an update every 9 days, and MachDB every 2 weeks. Most recently, ACE Checklist Editor was updated on October 1, 2026 and MachDB on September 24, 2026.

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