Squawkd is an aircraft management platform built for EASA and FAA compliance, co-ownership cost splitting, and a complete airworthiness suite in one product. Pilot-Next 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.
Pilot-Next is a European aircraft management platform built for flight clubs and schools. It offers flat per-company pricing (not per-aircraft), making it cost-effective for clubs with many aircraft. Pilot-Next is EU-hosted and GDPR compliant, with MCP/AI integration.
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.
Free SOLO · €9/mo BASIC · €18/mo PRO · €45/mo ULTRA
Permanent free tier available
1 aircraft, 1 pilot, basic flight logging and cost tracking
Unlimited aircraft and pilots, scheduling, cost ledger, calendar sync
Automated PDF invoicing, advanced booking, priority support
All features, MCP/AI integration, enterprise support
All 20 features compared side by side. Squawkd column is highlighted in amber.
| Feature | Squawkd | Pilot-Next |
|---|---|---|
| EASA Part-ML compliance | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| UK CAA CAP 1922 compliance | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| FAA Part 91 support | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| 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 | ✅ All plans |
| Per-pilot balance tracking | ✅ All plans | ✅ All plans |
| Analytics & maintenance forecasting | ✅ Pro | ❌ Not available |
| Weight & balance calculator | ✅ Pro | ❌ Not available |
| Booking & scheduling | ✅ Native | ✅ 2-click booking |
| Calendar ICS sync | ✅ Native | ✅ Google/Outlook/Apple |
| Document vault | ✅ Native | ❌ Not available |
| PDF/data exports | ✅ Native | ✅ Automated PDF invoicing |
| Unlimited members | ✅ Pro (SOLO: up to 2) | ✅ All plans |
| Multi-aircraft support | ✅ Pro · $10/mo per extra | ✅ Flat pricing (all aircraft) |
EASA Part-ML compliance
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availableUK CAA CAP 1922 compliance
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availableFAA Part 91 support
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availableSigned maintenance logbook (legal record)
Squawkd
✅ Pro · FAA / EASA / UK CAAPilot-Next
❌ Not availableFAA AD tracking
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availableEASA AD tracking
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availablePre-flight airworthiness status
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availablePre-flight check screen
Squawkd
✅ Colour-codedPilot-Next
❌ Not availableSquawk board
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
✅ NativeAircraft log (Hobbs/fuel/oil)
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
✅ NativeCost ledger & expense settlement
Squawkd
✅ All plansPilot-Next
✅ All plansPer-pilot balance tracking
Squawkd
✅ All plansPilot-Next
✅ All plansAnalytics & maintenance forecasting
Squawkd
✅ ProPilot-Next
❌ Not availableWeight & balance calculator
Squawkd
✅ ProPilot-Next
❌ Not availableBooking & scheduling
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
✅ 2-click bookingCalendar ICS sync
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
✅ Google/Outlook/AppleDocument vault
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
❌ Not availablePDF/data exports
Squawkd
✅ NativePilot-Next
✅ Automated PDF invoicingUnlimited members
Squawkd
✅ Pro (SOLO: up to 2)Pilot-Next
✅ All plansMulti-aircraft support
Squawkd
✅ Pro · $10/mo per extraPilot-Next
✅ Flat pricing (all aircraft)Despite being a European platform, Pilot-Next does not offer EASA Part-ML compliance tools. There is no ARC expiry tracking, no EASA Airworthiness Directive management, and no pre-flight airworthiness status. For European pilots who are personally responsible for maintaining airworthiness under Part-ML, this is a serious functional gap. Squawkd was built with EASA Part-ML as a first-class feature.
Winner: Squawkd
Pilot-Next's flat per-company pricing model means a club with 10 aircraft pays exactly the same as a club with 2 aircraft. At €45/month for the ULTRA tier, a club with 5 or more aircraft will find Pilot-Next considerably cheaper than Squawkd's per-aircraft model. For clubs that care about unit economics across a large fleet, Pilot-Next's pricing structure is a genuine advantage.
Winner: Pilot-Next
Pilot-Next offers a permanently free SOLO tier for a single aircraft and pilot. This is ideal for individual owners who want basic flight logging and cost tracking without any subscription commitment. Squawkd offers a 30 or 60-day free trial but does not have a permanent free tier. For a single-aircraft owner with minimal needs, the free Pilot-Next SOLO plan is hard to argue against.
Winner: Pilot-Next
Both Squawkd and Pilot-Next track per-pilot balances, allowing clubs to see which pilots owe what. Squawkd adds cost forecasting and analytics on top of basic balance tracking, giving treasurers and co-owners predictive visibility into future costs. Pilot-Next handles the balance tracking well but does not extend into analytical territory.
Winner: Squawkd
Both platforms offer booking and scheduling with calendar sync. Pilot-Next advertises a '2-click booking' UX and supports Google, Outlook, and Apple Calendar. Squawkd offers native ICS calendar sync and an integrated scheduling view. The functional outcome is similar for most clubs, though the UX approach differs.
Winner: Tie
Squawkd includes a weight and balance calculator and a document vault on all plans. Pilot-Next offers neither. For operators who need to store aircraft documents centrally — certificates, insurance, POHs — or calculate W&B 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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Pilot name
Location · Aircraft type
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Pilot name
Location · Aircraft type
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Pilot name
Location · Aircraft type
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. Pilot-Next does not track Airworthiness Directives of any kind — neither EASA ADs nor FAA ADs. This is a significant gap for any operator who is legally required to track and comply with applicable ADs. Under EASA Part-ML, the aircraft owner-operator is personally responsible for AD compliance. Squawkd tracks both EASA and FAA ADs natively.
Yes, Pilot-Next is available in the UK and is accessible as a web application from any country. However, Pilot-Next does not offer EASA Part-ML or UK CAA compliance tools, so UK pilots operating under CAA regulations will not find airworthiness tracking features. It is a general-purpose club management tool, not a compliance platform.
Yes. Pilot-Next offers a permanently free SOLO tier for 1 aircraft and 1 pilot. This is not a trial — it is a free tier with no time limit. It covers basic flight logging, cost tracking, and a squawk board. Clubs that need scheduling, multiple pilots, or more advanced features must upgrade to a paid tier starting at €9/month.
Yes. Pilot-Next is EU-hosted and describes itself as GDPR compliant. For European clubs who have data residency requirements or want EU-based infrastructure, this is a relevant consideration. Squawkd also processes data in compliance with GDPR, though you should verify current data residency details directly with each provider.
Pilot-Next charges a flat per-company fee regardless of how many aircraft you operate — €45/month for the ULTRA tier covers unlimited aircraft. Squawkd charges per aircraft beyond the first two included in the Pro plan at $20/month. For clubs with 5 or more aircraft, Pilot-Next's flat pricing model is meaningfully cheaper. For solo owners or small co-ownership groups with 1-2 aircraft, Squawkd is similarly priced and offers more compliance features.
Pilot-Next was designed for flight clubs and schools, and its flat pricing model makes it operationally sensible for organisations with large fleets of training aircraft. However, it lacks the regulatory compliance tools — EASA Part-ML, AD tracking, ARC management — that a professionally operated flight school under EASA DTO or ATO regulations would need.
No. Despite being a European platform, Pilot-Next does not offer EASA Part-ML compliance tools. There is no ARC tracking, no EASA AD management, and no airworthiness status screen. European pilots who are personally responsible for their aircraft's airworthiness under Part-ML should use a platform that explicitly supports this regulatory framework.
Pilot-Next handles the scheduling, cost ledger, and per-pilot balance aspects of co-ownership reasonably well. Its flat pricing is attractive if you have multiple aircraft among co-owners. However, the lack of pre-flight airworthiness status, AD tracking, weight & balance, and document management means it covers only part of what a co-ownership group typically needs from a management platform.
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 Pilot-Next 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.