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CloudAhoy vs DUATS

CloudAhoy logo

CloudAhoy

Software

Flight tracking and analysis platform for general aviation

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 CloudAhoy has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CloudAhoy pricing is not published; the Pro tier is named but not costed; DUATS service has been discontinued as of May 2018
  • They diverge on capability: CloudAhoy covers Flight tracking, DUATS covers Flight briefings.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CloudAhoy and DUATS actually diverge.

Attributes where CloudAhoy and DUATS differ
AttributeCloudAhoyDUATS
Starting priceFree$9.95/month
Free tierYesNo
Founded20121990

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), platforms (Web, Ios, Android), 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 CloudAhoy

  • Flight tracking
  • Flight replay
  • Performance analysis
  • Training reports
  • Data visualization
  • GPS devices
  • Aviation databases
  • Privacy controls

Only in DUATS

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

Both cover

  • Weather data
  • Data encryption
  • Web support
  • Ios support
  • Android support

What people use each for

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

CloudAhoy

  • Post-flight debrief for flight students and instructorsnot DUATS
  • Reviewing stabilised approaches after the factnot DUATS
  • Checking IFR accuracy against the flown tracknot DUATS
  • Sharing a flight track with another pilotnot DUATS
  • Debriefing fixed-wing, rotorcraft and glider flightsnot DUATS

DUATS

  • Flight briefingnot CloudAhoy
  • Flight planningnot CloudAhoy
  • Flight filingnot CloudAhoy
  • Weather briefingnot CloudAhoy

Where each one falls short

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

CloudAhoy

  • Pricing is not published; the Pro tier is named but not costed
  • Stability Score and Maneuver Score are Pro features
  • A post-flight debrief tool, so it analyses data recorded elsewhere rather than being an in-cockpit aid

DUATS

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

Pricing, plan by plan

CloudAhoy

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Basic flight tracking
    • Flight replay
    • Limited storage
  • Pro$5.99/month
    • Advanced analysis
    • Performance metrics
    • Unlimited storage

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 CloudAhoy if

  • You need flight tracking.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want flight replay.
CloudAhoy review

Choose DUATS if

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

Questions people ask

Is CloudAhoy or DUATS better?
Neither clearly leads. CloudAhoy 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, CloudAhoy or DUATS?
CloudAhoy has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for CloudAhoy and $9.95/month for DUATS.
Does CloudAhoy or DUATS run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use CloudAhoy for free?
Yes. CloudAhoy has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DUATS starts at $9.95/month.
What is CloudAhoy best used for?
CloudAhoy is most often used for post-flight debrief for flight students and instructors, reviewing stabilised approaches after the fact, checking ifr accuracy against the flown track, sharing a flight track with another pilot. Of those, post-flight debrief for flight students and instructors and reviewing stabilised approaches after the fact are not what DUATS is typically brought in for.
What can CloudAhoy do that DUATS cannot?
CloudAhoy covers Flight tracking, Flight replay, Performance analysis, Training reports. DUATS covers Flight briefings, Flight planning, Flight filing, NOTAMs. Both handle Weather data, Data encryption, Web support, Ios support.

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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