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DUATS vs Pix4D

DUATS logo

DUATS

Software

FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings

From
$9.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Pix4D logo

Pix4D

Software

Professional drone photogrammetry software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Pix4D has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: DUATS service has been discontinued as of May 2018; Pix4D split into separate products by job, so PIX4Dreact at $55 a month, PIX4Dfields at $111, PIX4Dmatic at $125 and PIX4Dmapper at $333 are different purchases rather than tiers
  • They diverge on capability: DUATS covers Flight briefings, Pix4D covers Photogrammetry.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DUATS and Pix4D actually diverge.

Attributes where DUATS and Pix4D differ
AttributeDUATSPix4D
Starting price$9.95/monthFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Ios, AndroidWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web
Founded19902011

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 DUATS

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

Only in Pix4D

  • Photogrammetry
  • 3D modeling
  • Point clouds
  • Orthomosaics
  • DSM/DTM generation
  • CAD software
  • GIS platforms
  • BIM tools

Both cover

  • Data encryption

What people use each for

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

DUATS

  • Flight briefingnot Pix4D
  • Flight planningnot Pix4D
  • Flight filingnot Pix4D
  • Weather briefingnot Pix4D

Pix4D

  • Photogrammetry from drone imagery into orthomosaics and point cloudsnot DUATS
  • Survey-grade 2D maps and 3D models with PIX4Dmappernot DUATS
  • Rapid 2D mapping for emergency response with PIX4Dreactnot DUATS
  • Multispectral crop analysis with PIX4Dfieldsnot DUATS
  • Large-scale processing with LiDAR integration through PIX4Dmaticnot DUATS

Where each one falls short

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

DUATS

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

Pix4D

  • Split into separate products by job, so PIX4Dreact at $55 a month, PIX4Dfields at $111, PIX4Dmatic at $125 and PIX4Dmapper at $333 are different purchases rather than tiers
  • Subscription only, with monthly, yearly or three year cycles and no perpetual licence
  • No refunds, and cancellation only takes effect at renewal
  • Cloud processing is an add-on to the desktop subscriptions
  • Hardware scanning kit prices are quoted on request

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Pix4D

Free
  • PIX4DcaptureFree
    • Flight planning
    • Automated capture
    • Grid missions
  • PIX4Dmapper$260/month
    • Photogrammetry
    • 3D modeling
    • Point clouds
  • PIX4Dmatic$420/month
    • Large projects
    • GPU processing
    • Corridor mapping

Which should you pick?

Choose DUATS if

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

Choose Pix4D if

  • You need photogrammetry.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want 3d modeling.
Pix4D review

Questions people ask

Is DUATS or Pix4D better?
Neither clearly leads. DUATS starts at $9.95/month and Pix4D at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DUATS or Pix4D?
Pix4D has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $9.95/month for DUATS and Free for Pix4D.
Does DUATS or Pix4D run on more platforms?
DUATS runs on Web, Ios, Android. Pix4D runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android, Web.
Can I use Pix4D for free?
Yes. Pix4D has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. DUATS starts at $9.95/month.
What is DUATS best used for?
DUATS is most often used for flight briefing, flight planning, flight filing, weather briefing. Of those, flight briefing and flight planning are not what Pix4D is typically brought in for.
What can DUATS do that Pix4D cannot?
DUATS covers Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight planning, Flight filing. Pix4D covers Photogrammetry, 3D modeling, Point clouds, Orthomosaics. Both handle Data encryption.

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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