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Software · head to head

DUAT vs X-Plane 12

D

DUAT

Software

Flight briefing and weather information system

From
$9.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
X-Plane 12 logo

X-Plane 12

Software

Professional flight simulation software

From
$59.99/lifetime
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: DUAT no native mobile applications; web-only access; X-Plane 12 commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download
  • They diverge on capability: DUAT covers Flight briefings, X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DUAT and X-Plane 12 actually diverge.

Attributes where DUAT and X-Plane 12 differ
AttributeDUATX-Plane 12
Starting price$9.95/month$59.99/lifetime
Pricing modelsubscriptionone-time
PlatformsWebWindows, Macos, Linux
Founded19921995

Identical on both: 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
  • Flight planning
  • Briefing tools
  • FAA systems
  • Weather services
  • ATC databases

Only in X-Plane 12

  • Flight physics
  • Global scenery
  • Realistic aircraft
  • Weather simulation
  • ATC system
  • Plugins
  • Add-ons
  • VR headsets

What people use each for

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

DUAT

  • Flight briefingnot X-Plane 12
  • Weather briefingnot X-Plane 12
  • Flight planningnot X-Plane 12
  • Regulatory compliancenot X-Plane 12

X-Plane 12

  • Flight simulation for private pilots and enthusiastsnot DUAT
  • Procedure practice and aircraft familiarisationnot 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

X-Plane 12

  • Commercial and professional use requires a separate licence at $1,000, against $59.99 for the personal digital download
  • The personal edition therefore cannot be used for paid training or commercial simulation
  • The professional edition is a distinct product rather than an upgrade path

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

X-Plane 12

$59.99/lifetime
  • X-Plane 12$59.99/lifetime
    • Full simulator
    • Global scenery
    • Realistic physics

Which should you pick?

Choose DUAT if

  • You need flight briefings.
  • You also want weather data.
DUAT review

Choose X-Plane 12 if

  • You need flight physics.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux.
  • You also want global scenery.
X-Plane 12 review

Questions people ask

Is DUAT or X-Plane 12 better?
Neither clearly leads. DUAT starts at $9.95/month and X-Plane 12 at $59.99/lifetime, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DUAT or X-Plane 12?
DUAT starts at $9.95/month and X-Plane 12 at $59.99/lifetime.
Does DUAT or X-Plane 12 run on more platforms?
DUAT runs on Web. X-Plane 12 runs on Windows, Macos, Linux.
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 X-Plane 12 is typically brought in for.
What can DUAT do that X-Plane 12 cannot?
DUAT covers Flight briefings, Weather data, NOTAM information, Flight planning. X-Plane 12 covers Flight physics, Global scenery, Realistic aircraft, Weather simulation.

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.

Source
DUAT: 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.

Source
DUAT: 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.

Source
DUAT: 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.

Source
DUAT: 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.

Source
DUAT: 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
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