Software · head to head
DUAT vs DUATS
DUATS
Software
FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings
- From
- $9.95/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DUAT no native mobile applications; web-only access; DUATS service has been discontinued as of May 2018
- They diverge on capability: DUAT covers NOTAM information, DUATS covers Flight filing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DUAT and DUATS actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price ($9.95/month), pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), 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 DUAT
- NOTAM information
- Briefing tools
- ATC databases
- Chart systems
- Briefing sharing
- Team access
Only in DUATS
- Flight filing
- NOTAMs
- Chart databases
- ATC integration
- Flight briefing
- Plan sharing
Both cover
- Flight briefings
- Weather data
- Flight planning
- FAA systems
- Weather services
- FAA approved
- Secure access
- Data encryption
- Web support
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DUAT
- Flight briefing
- Weather briefing
- Flight planning
- Regulatory compliancenot DUATS
DUATS
- Flight briefing
- Flight planning
- Flight filingnot DUAT
- Weather briefing
Both are used for flight briefing, weather briefing, flight planning, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DUAT
- No native mobile applications; web-only access
- Modern pilots prefer integrated EFB solutions with moving map displays
DUATS
- Service has been discontinued as of May 2018
- No longer available for flight planning or briefing
Pricing, plan by plan
DUAT
$9.95/month- Standard$9.95/month
- Flight briefings
- Weather data
- NOTAM information
- Professional$24.95/month
- All Standard features
- Advanced weather
- Unlimited briefings
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 DUATS if
- You need flight filing.
- You work on Web, Ios, Android.
- You also want notams.
Questions people ask
- Is DUAT or DUATS better?
- Neither clearly leads. DUAT starts at $9.95/month and DUATS at $9.95/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DUAT or DUATS?
- DUAT starts at $9.95/month and DUATS at $9.95/month.
- Does DUAT or DUATS run on more platforms?
- DUAT runs on Web. DUATS runs on Web, Ios, Android.
- What is DUAT best used for?
- DUAT is most often used for flight briefing, weather briefing, flight planning, regulatory compliance. Of those, regulatory compliance is not what DUATS is typically brought in for.
- What can DUAT do that DUATS cannot?
- DUAT covers NOTAM information, Briefing tools, ATC databases, Chart systems. DUATS covers Flight filing, NOTAMs, Chart databases, ATC integration. Both handle Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight planning, FAA systems.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
DUAT: What services does DUAT provide?
DUAT provides weather briefings, NOTAM information, and flight plan filing through an online system accessible to registered pilots. Pilots can check weather, review alerts, and file flight plans within a 15-minute transaction window.
SourceDUATS: Is DUATS still available?
No. The FAA discontinued the Direct User Access Terminal Service (DUATS II) on May 16, 2018.
SourceDUAT: Who can use DUAT?
DUAT services are available to registered U.S. pilots and student pilots who hold a current medical certificate, as well as flight instructors, ground instructors, and other members of the aviation community.
SourceDUATS: Did DUATS cost money?
No. DUATS was free to all registered U.S. pilots and student pilots holding a current medical certificate.
SourceDUAT: How has DUAT changed over time?
DUAT has evolved as a service. The FAA discontinued DUATS (the competing service) on May 16, 2018, and most pilots have transitioned to modern electronic flight bag applications. DUAT.com, operated by Data Transformation Corp., continues to provide flight briefing services.
SourceDUATS: What replaced DUATS?
Pilots now access internet-based weather, aeronautical information, and flight plan filing through the FAA flight service website at no charge.
SourceDUAT: Is DUAT free to use?
Historically, DUAT was free to qualified U.S. pilots and student pilots holding a current medical certificate. Current pricing for DUAT.com services should be verified directly with the provider.
SourceDUAT: What are the recommended alternatives to DUAT?
The FAA recommends 1800wxbrief.com for free weather and aeronautical information, flight plan filing, and automated services. Modern pilots increasingly use electronic flight bag applications like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot which integrate weather, charts, and flight planning.
SourceDUAT: Does DUAT offer mobile app access?
DUAT is primarily web-based without native mobile applications. Modern electronic flight bag alternatives like ForeFlight and Garmin Pilot offer full-featured mobile apps for on-the-go flight planning.
Source