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AGI STK vs DUATS

AGI STK logo

AGI STK

Software

Systems Tool Kit for space and aerospace analysis

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
DUATS logo

DUATS

Software

FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings

From
$9.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AGI STK has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AGI STK sTK is sold as a ladder of separate licences, STK Pro, STK Premium Air, STK Premium Space and STK Enterprise, so mission areas are gated behind different products; DUATS service has been discontinued as of May 2018
  • They diverge on capability: AGI STK covers Orbit analysis, DUATS covers Flight briefings.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AGI STK and DUATS actually diverge.

Attributes where AGI STK and DUATS differ
AttributeAGI STKDUATS
Starting priceFree$9.95/month
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, LinuxWeb, Ios, Android
Founded19891990

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in AGI STK

  • Orbit analysis
  • 4D visualization
  • Mission planning
  • Communication analysis
  • Conjunction assessment
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • C++/.NET API

Only in DUATS

  • Flight briefings
  • Weather data
  • Flight planning
  • Flight filing
  • NOTAMs
  • FAA systems
  • Weather services
  • Chart databases

Both cover

  • Data encryption

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

AGI STK

  • Modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risknot DUATS
  • Mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systemsnot DUATS

DUATS

  • Flight briefingnot AGI STK
  • Flight planningnot AGI STK
  • Flight filingnot AGI STK
  • Weather briefingnot AGI STK

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

AGI STK

  • STK is sold as a ladder of separate licences, STK Pro, STK Premium Air, STK Premium Space and STK Enterprise, so mission areas are gated behind different products
  • Further capability is sold as separate add-on toolkits including TETK, the RF Channel Modeler and the STK Missile Toolkit
  • Distributing an application built on STK Engine to end users requires each of them to hold an Ansys STK Engine Runtime License
  • Free access is limited to students at accredited institutions and to time-limited trials
  • No price, minimum or cost driver is published for any STK tier

DUATS

  • Service has been discontinued as of May 2018
  • No longer available for flight planning or briefing

Pricing, plan by plan

AGI STK

Free
  • STK FreeFree
    • Basic analysis
    • 2D/3D visualization
    • Orbit analysis
  • STK Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced analysis
    • Premium modules
    • API access
  • STK Enterprise$50000/year
    • All modules
    • Multi-user
    • Custom solutions

DUATS

$9.95/month
  • Basic$9.95/month
    • Flight briefings
    • Weather data
    • Flight planning
  • Premium$29.95/month
    • All Basic features
    • Advanced weather
    • Priority briefings

Which should you pick?

Choose AGI STK if

  • You need orbit analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want 4d visualization.
AGI STK review

Choose DUATS if

  • You need flight briefings.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want weather data.
DUATS review

Questions people ask

Is AGI STK or DUATS better?
Neither clearly leads. AGI STK starts at Free and DUATS at $9.95/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AGI STK or DUATS?
AGI STK has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AGI STK and $9.95/month for DUATS.
Does AGI STK or DUATS run on more platforms?
AGI STK runs on Windows, Linux. DUATS runs on Web, Ios, Android.
Can I use AGI STK for free?
Yes. AGI STK has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DUATS starts at $9.95/month.
What is AGI STK best used for?
AGI STK is most often used for modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risk, mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systems. Of those, modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risk and mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systems are not what DUATS is typically brought in for.
What can AGI STK do that DUATS cannot?
AGI STK covers Orbit analysis, 4D visualization, Mission planning, Communication analysis. DUATS covers Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight planning, Flight filing. Both handle Data encryption.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

DUATS: Is DUATS still available?

No. The FAA discontinued the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS II) on May 16, 2018.

Source
DUATS: Did DUATS cost money?

No. DUATS was free to all registered U.S. pilots and student pilots holding a current medical certificate.

Source
DUATS: What replaced DUATS?

Pilots now access internet-based weather, aeronautical information, and flight plan filing through the FAA flight service website at no charge.

Source
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