Software · head to head
DUAT vs Garmin Pilot
Garmin Pilot
Software
All-in-one flight planning and navigation app
- From
- $99/year
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: DUAT no native mobile applications; web-only access; Garmin Pilot garmin Pilot's iPad app is offered on a 30-day free trial from initial download, after which the subscription plans described on Garmin's site apply
- They diverge on capability: DUAT covers Flight briefings, Garmin Pilot covers Aeronautical charts.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DUAT and Garmin Pilot actually diverge.
| Attribute | DUAT | Garmin Pilot |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $9.95/month | $99/year |
| Platforms | Web | Ios, Android |
| Founded | 1992 | 1989 |
Identical on both: 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
- Flight briefings
- Weather data
- NOTAM information
- Briefing tools
- FAA systems
- Weather services
- ATC databases
- Chart systems
Only in Garmin Pilot
- Aeronautical charts
- Weather overlays
- Panel sync
- Traffic display
- Garmin avionics
- GTN series
- G1000/G3000
- GDL receivers
Both cover
- Flight planning
- Data encryption
- Ios support
- Android support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DUAT
- Flight briefingnot Garmin Pilot
- Weather briefingnot Garmin Pilot
- Flight planning
- Regulatory compliancenot Garmin Pilot
Garmin Pilot
- Flight planning
- Weather analysisnot DUAT
- In-flight navigationnot DUAT
- Aircraft panel syncnot DUAT
- Chart viewingnot DUAT
Both are used for 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
Garmin Pilot
- Garmin Pilot's iPad app is offered on a 30-day free trial from initial download, after which the subscription plans described on Garmin's site apply
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
Garmin Pilot
$99/year- Premium$99/year
- IFR/VFR charts
- Weather radar
- Flight planning
- Premium + Global$199/year
- Everything in Premium
- Worldwide charts
- International planning
Which should you pick?
Choose Garmin Pilot if
- You need aeronautical charts.
- You work on Ios, Android.
- You also want weather overlays.
Questions people ask
- Is DUAT or Garmin Pilot better?
- Neither clearly leads. DUAT starts at $9.95/month and Garmin Pilot at $99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DUAT or Garmin Pilot?
- DUAT starts at $9.95/month and Garmin Pilot at $99/year.
- Does DUAT or Garmin Pilot run on more platforms?
- DUAT runs on Web. Garmin Pilot runs on Ios, Android.
- 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 Garmin Pilot is typically brought in for.
- What can DUAT do that Garmin Pilot cannot?
- DUAT covers Flight briefings, Weather data, NOTAM information, Briefing tools. Garmin Pilot covers Aeronautical charts, Weather overlays, Panel sync, Traffic display. Both handle Flight planning, Data encryption, Ios support, Android 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