Aviation & Aerospace · head to head
DUAT vs ForeFlight
DUAT
Aviation & Aerospace
Flight briefing and weather information system
- From
- $9.95/month
- Rated
- -
ForeFlight
Aviation & Aerospace
Comprehensive flight planning and pilot briefing app
- From
- $130/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DUAT no native mobile applications; web-only access; ForeFlight device restrictions: 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and 2 iPhones per licence
- They diverge on capability: DUAT covers Flight briefings, ForeFlight covers Aeronautical charts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DUAT and ForeFlight actually diverge.
| Attribute | DUAT | ForeFlight |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9.95/month | $130/year |
| Platforms | Web | iPad, iPhone |
| Founded | 1992 | 2007 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation & Aerospace).
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
- Flight briefings
- Weather data
- NOTAM information
- Briefing tools
- FAA systems
- Weather services
- ATC databases
- Chart systems
Only in ForeFlight
- Aeronautical charts
- Weather briefings
- Navigation
- Weight & balance
- Garmin avionics
- Jeppesen charts
- ADS-B receivers
- ARINC Direct
Both cover
- Flight planning
- 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 briefingnot ForeFlight
- Weather briefingnot ForeFlight
- Flight planningnot ForeFlight
- Regulatory compliancenot ForeFlight
ForeFlight
- Flight planning and navigation for pilotsnot DUAT
- Aviation weather and digital logbooknot DUAT
- Airport information and terrain profilingnot DUAT
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
ForeFlight
- Device restrictions: 2 iPads and 1 iPhone, or 1 iPad and 2 iPhones per licence
- Geographic region limited to one per subscription
- Annual billing only, no monthly option
- Starter plan lacks Synthetic Vision and advanced planning tools
- Essential plan lacks pre-built aircraft profiles and fuel planning
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
ForeFlight
$130/yearNo published plan breakdown. See the ForeFlight review.
Which should you pick?
Choose ForeFlight if
- You need aeronautical charts.
- You work on iPad, iPhone.
- You also want weather briefings.
Questions people ask
- Is DUAT or ForeFlight better?
- Neither clearly leads. DUAT starts at $9.95/month and ForeFlight at $130/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DUAT or ForeFlight?
- DUAT starts at $9.95/month and ForeFlight at $130/year.
- Does DUAT or ForeFlight run on more platforms?
- DUAT runs on Web. ForeFlight runs on iPad, iPhone.
- What is DUAT best used for?
- DUAT is most often used for flight briefing, weather briefing, flight planning, regulatory compliance. Of those, flight briefing and weather briefing are not what ForeFlight is typically brought in for.
- What can DUAT do that ForeFlight cannot?
- DUAT covers Flight briefings, Weather data, NOTAM information, Briefing tools. ForeFlight covers Aeronautical charts, Weather briefings, Navigation, Weight & balance. Both handle Flight planning, Data encryption, Web support, Ios support.
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.
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.
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.
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