Aviation software matching platform Aero NextGen has made its Solution Finder Hub free for all aviation companies, removing charges for operators searching, shortlisting and connecting with software and consulting providers across the sector.

According to Aviation Business News, more than 175 aviation organisations have already used the platform, which now covers more than 60 software categories and includes a network of over 60 vetted solution providers serving airlines, MROs, OEMs, lessors, cargo operators, airports and other aviation businesses.

The platform uses a short online questionnaire to match operators with software providers based on factors including company type, size, region and operational requirements. Users can compare suppliers through a common capability framework before making direct contact, removing the need for unsolicited vendor outreach or speculative procurement exercises.

Monica Badra, founder and chief executive of Aero NextGen, said the platform was designed to change how the industry approached software selection. "The industry has spent years treating software selection as a cost of doing business. We treat it as the decision that determines whether digital transformation succeeds," she said. "We made the Solution Finder Hub free for every aviation company because the right match should never be gated behind a fee, 175 companies in, the data is clear that neutral matching gets operators to the right solution faster than any sales cycle."

Aero NextGen said the move was intended to reduce the risks associated with selecting aviation software, helping organisations avoid lengthy evaluation processes and costly implementation mistakes while accelerating digital transformation across the sector. The platform supports selection across areas including MRO management, aviation ERP, business analytics, flight operations, crew management and drone inspection, with additional providers continuing to be added.

Aviation software procurement has historically been a complex and protracted process, particularly for smaller operators lacking dedicated IT procurement functions. Mismatched implementations, where operators select systems that do not align with their operational scale, regulatory environment or integration requirements, remain a significant source of cost and disruption across the sector, particularly in MRO and flight operations management where software switching costs are high.

The removal of fees positions Aero NextGen's neutral matching model as an alternative to vendor-led sales processes, where solution providers control the information flow and operators have limited visibility of the full competitive landscape before committing to evaluation.