Squawkd is an aircraft management platform built for EASA and FAA compliance, co-ownership cost splitting, and a complete airworthiness suite in one product. FlightCircle takes a different approach. This page compares both platforms honestly — features, pricing, compliance depth, and who each one is best suited for.
· Based on publicly available information · Maintained by the Squawkd team
Skip to comparison table ↓Squawkd is an aircraft management platform built for co-owners, flying clubs, and flight schools. It offers native EASA Part-ML and FAA Part 91 compliance in a single product, with pre-flight airworthiness tracking, cost splitting, weight and balance, and a full maintenance suite. Squawkd is designed to be set up in under an hour and is priced to be accessible for clubs and co-ownership groups of any size.
FlightCircle is a US-based flight management platform for clubs and flight schools. It supports Part 61 and Part 141 training programmes and accepts Apple Pay, ACH, and credit card payments. FlightCircle requires a sales call for pricing and offers a 60-day trial.
From $20/mo
Free trial (30 or 60 days), then $20/month for the Pro plan — or $12/month for the first 100 founding members. All features included on every plan: EASA Part-ML compliance, FAA AD tracking, cost splitting, analytics, weight and balance, document vault, and unlimited members. $10/month per additional aircraft beyond 2 included in the base plan.
No credit card required to start your trial.
~$10/aircraft/month (no public pricing)
60-day free trial
Scheduling, maintenance, training management, payment processing — exact pricing requires sales call
All 20 features compared side by side. Squawkd column is highlighted in amber.
| Feature | Squawkd | FlightCircle |
|---|---|---|
| EASA Part-ML compliance | ✅ Native | ❌ US only |
| UK CAA CAP 1922 compliance | ✅ Native | ❌ US only |
| FAA Part 91 support | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Signed maintenance logbook (legal record) | ✅ Pro · FAA / EASA / UK CAA | ❌ Not available |
| FAA AD tracking | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| EASA AD tracking | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| Pre-flight airworthiness status | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| Pre-flight check screen | ✅ Colour-coded | ❌ Not available |
| Squawk board | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Aircraft log (Hobbs/fuel/oil) | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Cost ledger & expense settlement | ✅ All plans | ✅ Native |
| Per-pilot balance tracking | ✅ All plans | ❌ Not available |
| Analytics & maintenance forecasting | ✅ Pro | ❌ Not available |
| Weight & balance calculator | ✅ Pro | ❌ Not available |
| Booking & scheduling | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Calendar ICS sync | ✅ Native | ✅ Google/iCal |
| Document vault | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| PDF/data exports | ✅ Native | ✅ Native |
| Unlimited members | ✅ Pro (SOLO: up to 2) | ✅ Native |
| Multi-aircraft support | ✅ Pro · $10/mo per extra | ✅ Per-aircraft pricing |
EASA Part-ML compliance
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
❌ US onlyUK CAA CAP 1922 compliance
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
❌ US onlyFAA Part 91 support
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
✅ NativeSigned maintenance logbook (legal record)
Squawkd
✅ Pro · FAA / EASA / UK CAAFlightCircle
❌ Not availableFAA AD tracking
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
❌ Not availableEASA AD tracking
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
❌ Not availablePre-flight airworthiness status
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
❌ Not availablePre-flight check screen
Squawkd
✅ Colour-codedFlightCircle
❌ Not availableSquawk board
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
✅ NativeAircraft log (Hobbs/fuel/oil)
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
✅ NativeCost ledger & expense settlement
Squawkd
✅ All plansFlightCircle
✅ NativePer-pilot balance tracking
Squawkd
✅ All plansFlightCircle
❌ Not availableAnalytics & maintenance forecasting
Squawkd
✅ ProFlightCircle
❌ Not availableWeight & balance calculator
Squawkd
✅ ProFlightCircle
❌ Not availableBooking & scheduling
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
✅ NativeCalendar ICS sync
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
✅ Google/iCalDocument vault
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
❌ Not availablePDF/data exports
Squawkd
✅ NativeFlightCircle
✅ NativeUnlimited members
Squawkd
✅ Pro (SOLO: up to 2)FlightCircle
✅ NativeMulti-aircraft support
Squawkd
✅ Pro · $10/mo per extraFlightCircle
✅ Per-aircraft pricingFlightCircle was designed with flight schools in mind and offers native support for both Part 61 and Part 141 training programmes. It can track student progression, syllabus completion, and instructor sign-offs within the platform. Squawkd focuses on aircraft management for co-owners and clubs and does not offer structured training programme management. For flight schools where training workflow is the primary use case, FlightCircle is the better fit.
Winner: FlightCircle
FlightCircle accepts Apple Pay, ACH bank transfers, and credit cards directly within the platform — no third-party payment integration required. This means clubs and schools can collect fees, deposits, and lesson payments through the same system they use for scheduling. Squawkd handles cost splitting and balance tracking but does not currently process payments directly. For organisations that collect fees from many members regularly, integrated payment processing is a meaningful operational simplification.
Winner: FlightCircle
Squawkd publishes its pricing openly. FlightCircle does not — you must contact their sales team for a quote. While the indicative price around $10/aircraft/month is often cited, the lack of public pricing creates friction for organisations evaluating options and makes honest budget comparisons difficult. For operators who prefer to know what they will pay before investing time in an evaluation, Squawkd's transparent pricing is a practical advantage.
Winner: Squawkd
FlightCircle has no EASA support and no FAA AD tracking. Squawkd tracks both EASA and FAA ADs natively and offers EASA Part-ML compliance for European operators. For US-only clubs this distinction matters less, but for any operator with international activity or European registration, FlightCircle is a non-starter.
Winner: Squawkd
FlightCircle offers a 60-day free trial — the longest of any platform in this comparison. Squawkd offers 30 days (or 60 days for founding members). If you need an extended evaluation period before committing, FlightCircle's trial length is an advantage. In practice, most operators form a clear view within the first two weeks of real use.
Winner: FlightCircle
Squawkd provides a colour-coded pre-flight airworthiness status screen, per-pilot balance tracking, and cost forecasting analytics. FlightCircle does not offer any of these features. For a co-ownership group that needs to see who owes what, what the aircraft will cost over the next year, and whether it is legally airworthy before flight, Squawkd is the more complete platform.
Winner: Squawkd
EASA Part-ML (Part-Maintenance Light) is the European regulatory framework that governs airworthiness management for non-commercial aircraft under 2,730 kg maximum take-off mass. Under Part-ML, the owner-operator of such an aircraft takes direct responsibility for maintaining airworthiness — a model called self-managed airworthiness — without requiring a contracted CAMO (Continuing Airworthiness Management Organisation). As of 2026, the majority of privately owned light aircraft in Europe fall under Part-ML.
Under self-managed airworthiness, the aircraft owner must hold or arrange an annual Airworthiness Review, resulting in an ARC (Airworthiness Review Certificate). The ARC is a legal document that affirms the aircraft is airworthy. An expired ARC grounds the aircraft — full stop. Software that tracks ARC expiry and sends renewal reminders is not a convenience feature; it is a tool for legal compliance.
Airworthiness Directives (ADs) issued by EASA are mandatory actions that must be applied to keep the aircraft airworthy. Under Part-ML, the owner-operator is responsible for tracking and complying with applicable ADs. Failure to comply with a mandatory AD can void the aircraft's Certificate of Airworthiness, potentially invalidating insurance and exposing the pilot to regulatory action. Squawkd tracks both FAA and EASA ADs natively, associating directives with specific aircraft types and flagging outstanding items before flight.
Why other tools don't cover this: Most aircraft management platforms in this comparison were built for the US market, where the FAA's regulatory framework operates differently. EASA Part-ML compliance requires tracking jurisdiction-specific documentation (ARC, EASA ADs) that US-centric platforms have no concept of. Squawkd is the only platform in this comparison built with EASA Part-ML as a first-class feature, not an afterthought.
European pilots under EASA Part-ML. If you own or co-own a light aircraft registered in Europe, you are personally responsible for maintaining airworthiness under the self-managed Part-ML model. That means tracking the ARC expiry, staying current with EASA Airworthiness Directives, and maintaining a compliant maintenance record. Squawkd was built around this regulatory reality — it is the only platform in this comparison where EASA compliance is a first-class feature, not an optional add-on or missing entirely.
FAA pilots who want compliance depth. For US pilots, Squawkd provides native FAA Part 91 support and FAA AD tracking alongside a full maintenance suite. The pre-flight airworthiness status screen gives pilots a systematic go/no-go check before every flight — something most US-focused platforms do not offer. For pilots who take airworthiness seriously as more than a paper exercise, Squawkd provides the tools to back that commitment.
Flying clubs wanting complete co-ownership tools. Squawkd was designed specifically for shared aircraft. Per-pilot balance accounts show each co-owner exactly what they owe and what the aircraft costs to operate. Cost analytics and forecasting give clubs predictive visibility into upcoming expenses. The document vault stores aircraft certificates, insurance, and maintenance records in one place. Unlimited members, multi-aircraft support, and transparent flat pricing make it practical for clubs of any size.
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Join pilots and flying clubs managing their aircraft with Squawkd. Free trial for 30 or 60 days — full feature access from day one, no credit card required.
No. FlightCircle is a US-only platform and does not support EASA Part-ML, EASA Airworthiness Directives, or any European regulatory framework. It was built for FAA-regulated flight schools and clubs in the United States. European operators should look for platforms with native EASA support.
No. FlightCircle does not publish its pricing publicly. A sales call is required to receive a quote. The commonly cited indicative price is around $10 per aircraft per month, but this may vary depending on the size of your operation. This lack of transparency can make budget planning difficult during an evaluation.
FlightCircle supports both FAA Part 61 and Part 141 training programmes. It can track student syllabus progression, lesson completion, and instructor endorsements within the platform. This makes it well-suited for flight schools that run structured training programmes and need digital record-keeping for regulatory purposes.
Yes. FlightCircle processes credit card, Apple Pay, and ACH bank transfer payments natively within the platform. This is one of its strongest differentiators — clubs and schools can collect member fees and lesson payments without needing a separate payment processor or manually reconciling receipts.
FlightCircle offers a 60-day free trial, which is the longest standard trial in this comparison. This gives organisations a meaningful period to evaluate the platform with real operations before committing to a paid plan.
FlightCircle works for flying clubs as well as flight schools. Its scheduling, maintenance tracking, and squawk board are suitable for a club context. However, clubs that need per-pilot balance tracking, analytics, weight & balance, or EASA compliance will find it limited. The lack of public pricing also makes it harder to evaluate against alternatives without a sales conversation.
No. FlightCircle does not track FAA Airworthiness Directives. This is a notable gap for a US-focused platform, as AD compliance is a mandatory part of maintaining airworthiness under FAA regulations. Clubs and owners must track applicable ADs through a separate system or manually.
No. FlightCircle does not offer analytics or cost forecasting features. Squawkd provides analytics on all plans, including cost breakdown by category, per-aircraft utilisation, and forward-looking cost forecasts. For clubs and co-ownership groups that want data-driven insight into their operating costs, Squawkd is the better choice.
Editorial independence. This comparison was written and is maintained by the Squawkd team. We have a commercial interest in Squawkd performing well in these comparisons. To mitigate that bias, we apply a consistent 18-feature evaluation framework to every platform, acknowledge where competitors are genuinely stronger, and update entries when we receive corrections. We make every effort to represent FlightCircle and all other platforms accurately and fairly.
Information currency. Competitor features, pricing, and regulatory support are based on publicly available information as of . Aviation software evolves quickly — features are added, pricing changes, and regulatory coverage expands or narrows. Always verify current pricing, feature availability, and regulatory support directly with each vendor before making a purchasing decision.
Not regulatory or legal advice. References to EASA Part-ML, FAA Part 91, and other regulatory frameworks are for informational context only. Regulatory requirements vary by aircraft type, registration country, and operation category. Nothing in this comparison constitutes legal or regulatory advice. Consult your national aviation authority (NAA) or a qualified aviation law professional for guidance on your specific compliance obligations.
If you believe any information on this page is inaccurate, please contact us at hello@squawkd.com and we will review and correct it promptly.