Best Racing Pigeon Software 2026
The honest comparison of the leading options: PigeonIQ vs Pigeon Planner vs Pedigree Manager UK — pedigree apps, ETS upload, cloud access, and what each one actually costs.
The short answer
If you just want to keep a digital copy of your paper pedigrees on one computer, Pigeon Planner (open source, free) and Pedigree Manager (paid desktop) both do the job. If you race pigeons — upload ETS results, run a club, check the weather along your race line, and calculate velocity on race day — there is nothing that does it all except PigeonIQ.
PigeonIQ is the only free-to-start option that is cloud-based, so your records are on your phone at the race marking station, in your hand at a member's loft, and on your computer at home — no app store, no installation, nothing to back up yourself.
Feature comparison
| Feature | PigeonIQ | Pigeon Planner | Pedigree Manager |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pedigree record keeping | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Scan paper pedigree with phone (AI OCR) | Yes — photo to digital | No | No |
| Official PDF pedigree export | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Cloud sync + works on any device (PWA) | Yes — phone, tablet, desktop | Desktop only | Desktop focused |
| ETS / Benzing / Unikon result upload | Yes | No | Manual only |
| Club & organisation results | Yes | No | No |
| Race-day live velocity & weather corridor | Yes | No | No |
| Inbreeding coefficient calculator | Yes | No | Partial |
| Public bird database & leaderboards | Yes | No | No |
| Free plan available | Yes — free forever tier | Open source / free | Paid licence |
Feature availability based on publicly documented versions as of 2026 and may change. Always check the vendor's current details before you buy.
The three tools, explained
PigeonIQ
Cloud app for the modern fancier. Scan paper pedigrees with your phone and let AI turn them into digital records, upload ETS results, run club races, and watch live velocity on race day. Free plan, then £2.49/month.
Pigeon Planner
Open-source desktop pedigree software. Solid offline record-keeping and a long history, but it stays on one computer, has no AI pedigree scanning, and no race-day tools.
Pedigree Manager UK
Long-running paid pedigree application for Windows. Strong for detailed pedigree trees offline, with limited cloud access and no integrated ETS upload or live racing features.
The rest of the field
Those three are not the only options. These are the other tools UK fanciers ask about, and what each one is actually for.
PigeonDB
Cloud pedigree software for lineage, breeding pairs, seasons and race records. The closest thing to a direct alternative to PigeonIQ for pedigree work, and it runs in the browser with nothing to install.
PigeonProfile
Cloud loft management covering pedigrees, breeding records, race results and velocities, with a free plan. It has been running longer than most and has a settled user base outside the UK.
LoftMate
An all-in-one loft platform: bird records, pedigrees, race results and a public loft page. Useful if you want your loft to be visible online.
MyPigeon Records
Pedigree and loft tracking with an emphasis on breeding records and performance analysis. Worth a look if breeding is the part of the hobby you care about most.
RPRA results software
The Royal Pigeon Racing Association publishes results software free to affiliated clubs, federations and nationals. If your club only needs race results and prize money handled, start there. It does not do pedigree records.
Mysoft
Long-running UK supplier of club and federation software: membership, results and pedigree tools aimed at organisations rather than individual lofts.
Benzing
Better known for ETS timing clocks than for software, Benzing also offers a browser-based pedigree tool. It makes most sense if your club already runs Benzing equipment.
AviRings Pedigree
A pedigree app for building and maintaining a pigeon database, with import from other tools. Handy if you already keep records elsewhere and want to move them across.
Descriptions reflect each vendor's publicly documented product as of 2026 and may change. Check the vendor's current details before you buy.
Which one should you pick?
You race, and you want everything in one place. PigeonIQ. Pedigrees, ETS results, club racing, live velocity and weather on one login, free to start.
You only want pedigree records on one computer. Pigeon Planner if you want free and open source, Pedigree Manager if you want a paid Windows application with scanning.
Your club needs results software and nothing else. Start with the free RPRA software or Mysoft before paying for anything.
You want to try cloud tools before committing. PigeonDB, PigeonProfile and LoftMate all run in a browser. PigeonIQ is free to start, so you can run it alongside any of them and move at your own pace.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best racing pigeon software in 2026?
For modern fanciers who scan paper pedigrees with their phone and upload ETS results, PigeonIQ is the only cloud-based option that is free to start and runs on any device without an app store. Desktop pedigree tools like Pigeon Planner and Pedigree Manager are still strong for offline record-keeping, but they lack AI pedigree scanning, live race tools, and cloud sync.
Is PigeonIQ really free?
Yes. PigeonIQ's free plan gives you up to 25 birds, 3 AI pedigree scans per month, and full access to club results and the social feed — forever, with no card required. Pro adds unlimited birds and 45 scans a month (200 a year on Pro Annual) for £2.49/month or £19.99/year.
How is PigeonIQ different from Pigeon Planner?
Pigeon Planner is open-source desktop software you install on one computer. PigeonIQ is a cloud app that runs on any device without installing anything, automatically scans paper pedigrees with AI, uploads ETS race results, and calculates live velocity on race day. You keep your records wherever you are.
Can I switch from Pigeon Planner or Pedigree Manager to PigeonIQ?
Yes. You can add your birds to PigeonIQ manually or one by one as you race them. Because PigeonIQ is free to start, you can run both side by side and move over at your own pace.
Do I need to install PigeonIQ from an app store?
No. PigeonIQ is a progressive web app (PWA). You open it in your browser and can add it to your home screen for a full-screen, offline-capable experience — no app store required on iPhone, Android, tablet or desktop.
Ready to give PigeonIQ a try? It's free to start — no card needed.
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