Comparison

ACE Checklist Editor vs FFBrief

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 and iPad. 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 OPTIMIZED FOR iOS • Native iOS app built with SwiftUI for smooth performance • Supports iPhone and iPad with optimized layouts for each • 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

FFBrief

This app uses AI to analyze weather briefings from ForeFlight, providing instant go/no-go recommendations and hazard detection. It simplifies complex aviation weather data into plain language, offering pilot advice and timezone conversions.

Highlights
  • AI-powered weather briefing analysis
  • Go/No-Go recommendation with reasoning
  • VFR, MVFR, IFR, LIFR classification
  • Hazard detection (thunderstorms, icing, etc.)
  • Pilot advice on altitude and timing
  • UTC to local timezone conversion
  • ForeFlight integration via share sheet
Features
Read full description

FFBrief requires an active subscription to access all features. A 7-day free trial is included — $4.99/year after the trial period. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/ Privacy Policy: https://dsiegel12.github.io/ffbrief-support FFBrief brings AI-powered analysis to your ForeFlight weather briefings. Share any ForeFlight briefing directly to FFBrief — PDF or HTML — and get an instant, plain-language go/no-go recommendation in seconds. WHAT YOU GET • Go/No-Go recommendation with clear reasoning • VFR, MVFR, IFR, and LIFR classification for departure and destination • Hazard detection: thunderstorms, icing, turbulence, TFRs, wind shear, and more • Detailed pilot advice on altitude, timing, and alternates • UTC times automatically converted to your local timezone • Full ForeFlight integration via the iOS share sheet HOW IT WORKS Open ForeFlight, generate your weather briefing, tap the share icon, and choose FFBrief. The app analyzes your briefing using Claude AI and returns a structured, easy-to-read analysis in seconds. Supports both HTML and PDF briefing formats.

Screenshots

ACE Checklist Editor4 screens
FFBrief4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: FFBrief at 5.0 against ACE Checklist Editor's 3.8. ACE Checklist Editor's advantage is monetization model (free with in-app purchases vs subscription) and ratings volume (4 vs 1). On price, update cadence, ads and in-app purchases 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 and FFBrief sells 1 in-app purchase, starting at $4.99 per year. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

FFBrief holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 3.8. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 4 and 1 respectively.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

ACE Checklist Editor ships an update every 9 days, FFBrief weekly. The most recent releases landed on September 14, 2026 and August 29, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 7 level
ACE Checklist Editor versus FFBrief: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterACE Checklist EditorFFBrief
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.8 (4 ratings)5.0 (1 ratings) — better
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Number of ratings4 — better1
Update frequencyEvery 9 daysWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchases — betterSubscription
DevicesiPhone, iPadiPhone, iPad
Requires iOS18.017.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB1 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPatrick MichalinaDONALD STEVEN SIEGEL

Customer experience

ACE Checklist Editor

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

FFBrief

All ratings1 ratings
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
1 purchases

FFBrief

Subscriptions1
  • FFBrief Annual7 Days trial$4.991 Year

Questions

Is ACE Checklist Editor free?
ACE Checklist Editor is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is FFBrief free?
FFBrief is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, ACE Checklist Editor or FFBrief?
FFBrief is rated higher. ACE Checklist Editor averages 3.8 out of 5 from 4 ratings, while FFBrief averages 5.0 from 1 ratings.
Do ACE Checklist Editor or FFBrief have ads?
Neither ACE Checklist Editor nor FFBrief shows ads.
Which is updated more often, ACE Checklist Editor or FFBrief?
ACE Checklist Editor ships an update every 9 days, and FFBrief weekly. Most recently, ACE Checklist Editor was updated on September 14, 2026 and FFBrief on August 29, 2026.

Other comparisons