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Aviation · head to head

AGI STK vs Garmin Pilot

AGI STK logo

AGI STK

Aviation

Systems Tool Kit for space and aerospace analysis

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Garmin Pilot logo

Garmin Pilot

Aviation

All-in-one flight planning and navigation app

From
$99/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only AGI STK has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: AGI STK sTK is sold as a ladder of separate licences, STK Pro, STK Premium Air, STK Premium Space and STK Enterprise, so mission areas are gated behind different products; 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: AGI STK covers Orbit analysis, Garmin Pilot covers Flight planning.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which AGI STK and Garmin Pilot actually diverge.

Attributes where AGI STK and Garmin Pilot differ
AttributeAGI STKGarmin Pilot
Starting priceFree$99/year
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, LinuxIos, Android

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation), founded (1989).

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 AGI STK

  • Orbit analysis
  • 4D visualization
  • Mission planning
  • Communication analysis
  • Conjunction assessment
  • MATLAB
  • Python
  • C++/.NET API

Only in Garmin Pilot

  • Flight planning
  • Aeronautical charts
  • Weather overlays
  • Panel sync
  • Traffic display
  • Garmin avionics
  • GTN series
  • G1000/G3000

Both cover

  • Data encryption

What people use each for

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

AGI STK

  • Modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risknot Garmin Pilot
  • Mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systemsnot Garmin Pilot

Garmin Pilot

  • Flight planningnot AGI STK
  • Weather analysisnot AGI STK
  • In-flight navigationnot AGI STK
  • Aircraft panel syncnot AGI STK
  • Chart viewingnot AGI STK

Where each one falls short

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

AGI STK

  • STK is sold as a ladder of separate licences, STK Pro, STK Premium Air, STK Premium Space and STK Enterprise, so mission areas are gated behind different products
  • Further capability is sold as separate add-on toolkits including TETK, the RF Channel Modeler and the STK Missile Toolkit
  • Distributing an application built on STK Engine to end users requires each of them to hold an Ansys STK Engine Runtime License
  • Free access is limited to students at accredited institutions and to time-limited trials
  • No price, minimum or cost driver is published for any STK tier

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

AGI STK

Free
  • STK FreeFree
    • Basic analysis
    • 2D/3D visualization
    • Orbit analysis
  • STK Professional$15000/year
    • Advanced analysis
    • Premium modules
    • API access
  • STK Enterprise$50000/year
    • All modules
    • Multi-user
    • Custom solutions

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 AGI STK if

  • You need orbit analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Linux.
  • You also want 4d visualization.
AGI STK review

Choose Garmin Pilot if

  • You need flight planning.
  • You work on Ios, Android.
  • You also want aeronautical charts.
Garmin Pilot review

Questions people ask

Is AGI STK or Garmin Pilot better?
Neither clearly leads. AGI STK starts at Free and Garmin Pilot at $99/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, AGI STK or Garmin Pilot?
AGI STK has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for AGI STK and $99/year for Garmin Pilot.
Does AGI STK or Garmin Pilot run on more platforms?
AGI STK runs on Windows, Linux. Garmin Pilot runs on Ios, Android.
Can I use AGI STK for free?
Yes. AGI STK has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Garmin Pilot starts at $99/year.
What is AGI STK best used for?
AGI STK is most often used for modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risk, mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systems. Of those, modelling satellite orbits, coverage and conjunction risk and mission analysis and visualization for air, space and defence systems are not what Garmin Pilot is typically brought in for.
What can AGI STK do that Garmin Pilot cannot?
AGI STK covers Orbit analysis, 4D visualization, Mission planning, Communication analysis. Garmin Pilot covers Flight planning, Aeronautical charts, Weather overlays, Panel sync. Both handle Data encryption.
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