ForeFlight Alternatives in 2026: Seven EFB Apps Worth a Look

TL;DR: The main reasons pilots look for a ForeFlight alternative are tiered pricing and platform lock-in. Garmin Pilot is the strongest direct alternative, SkyDemon wins for European flying, Ascent EFB is the best all-in value at $89.99 a year, and Avare or FltPlan Go cover the zero-budget case.

ForeFlight is an excellent electronic flight bag, and this is not a takedown. But its published plans run $130 to $390 a year, and per ForeFlight's own pricing page, features like synthetic vision and geo-referenced approach plates live above the entry tier. If you are pricing out what your mission actually needs, these are the alternatives worth flying. All prices were checked against vendor pages on August 5, 2026.

1. Garmin Pilot: the closest like-for-like

The other full-service EFB. US Standard at $109.99 a year, Premium at $209.99, Android support, and unmatched integration if your panel is Garmin. If you want the incumbent experience at a lower entry price, start here.

2. Ascent EFB: one plan, everything included

Everything in one plan at $89.99 a year.

Ascent EFB launched in July 2026 with a different pricing philosophy: $89.99 a year, one plan, everything included. Moving map, full weather stack, geo-referenced charts, 3D terrain, offline AIRAC downloads, and automatic flight logging, with charts and the 3D map fully offline. There is no feature you can fail to buy. It is newer than the incumbents and iOS only, and the 30-day free trial covers everything, so evaluating it costs nothing but a flight.

3. SkyDemon: the European answer

If you fly VFR in Europe, SkyDemon ($139 first year, $115 renewal) is arguably not the alternative but the default: graphical NOTAM briefings, superb airspace warnings, and a single all-inclusive plan.

4. iFly EFB: cross-platform value

$94.99 for VFR with synthetic vision included, IFR data as a $55 add-on, and it runs on iOS, Android, and Windows. A strong pick for mixed-device households.

5. FlyQ EFB: AR and synthetic vision

$99.99 VFR or $199.99 with IFR. Its augmented reality view and 3D synthetic vision with terrain awareness are genuinely distinctive features at this price.

6. WingX: the budget veteran

$74.99 base price, the lowest paid entry in the market, with synthetic vision included and IFR as an add-on.

7. Free: FltPlan Go and Avare

FltPlan Go (Garmin-owned) is a capable free planner and filer for iOS and Android. Avare is free, open source, and Android only. Both are also popular as backup EFBs.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a cheaper EFB than ForeFlight with the same core features?

For most VFR pilots, yes. Ascent EFB ($89.99 all-in), iFly ($94.99), and WingX ($74.99) all include synthetic vision and geo-referenced charts at their base price. Whether the deeper ForeFlight ecosystem is worth the difference depends on your mission.

Can I switch EFB apps without losing my logbook?

Most EFB apps import and export standard logbook formats. Check the export options on your current app before switching, and run both apps in parallel during the trial month.

Which ForeFlight alternative should a student pilot pick?

Cost matters most during training. A free option like FltPlan Go covers planning basics, and Ascent EFB's 30-day trial plus a single $89.99 plan keeps the decision simple. See our guide on how to choose an EFB.

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Prices and plan structures were read from each vendor's published pages on August 5, 2026. Ascent is our product; we have kept every claim to documented facts. For the full market picture, see The Best EFB Apps in 2026, Compared.