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Aviation · head to head

DUATS vs SkyVector

DUATS logo

DUATS

Aviation

FAA Direct User Access Terminal System for flight briefings

From
$9.95/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SkyVector logo

SkyVector

Aviation

Free online flight planning and navigation tool

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SkyVector 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; SkyVector contract fuel pricing data restricted behind authentication login
  • They diverge on capability: DUATS covers Flight briefings, SkyVector covers Aeronautical charts.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which DUATS and SkyVector actually diverge.

Attributes where DUATS and SkyVector differ
AttributeDUATSSkyVector
Starting price$9.95/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
Founded19902006

Identical on both: platforms (Web, Ios, Android), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Aviation).

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 filing
  • NOTAMs
  • FAA systems
  • Weather services
  • Chart databases
  • ATC integration

Only in SkyVector

  • Aeronautical charts
  • Weather integration
  • Navigation
  • Airport search
  • Weather API
  • Aviation databases
  • Chart systems
  • Secure connection

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.

DUATS

  • Flight briefingnot SkyVector
  • Flight planningnot SkyVector
  • Flight filingnot SkyVector
  • Weather briefingnot SkyVector

SkyVector

  • Flight planning and aeronautical chart access for pilotsnot DUATS
  • Real-time monitoring of drone operating areas via DROTAM alertsnot DUATS
  • Retail and contract aviation fuel pricing lookupnot DUATS
  • Advanced trading tools for power users and day tradersnot 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

SkyVector

  • Contract fuel pricing data restricted behind authentication login
  • Minimal disclosure of feature scope or capabilities on homepage
  • No published subscription costs or premium tier pricing details

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

SkyVector

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Aeronautical charts
    • Flight planning
    • Weather briefing

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 SkyVector if

  • You need aeronautical charts.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Ios, Android.
  • You also want weather integration.
SkyVector review

Questions people ask

Is DUATS or SkyVector better?
Neither clearly leads. DUATS starts at $9.95/month and SkyVector at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, DUATS or SkyVector?
SkyVector has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $9.95/month for DUATS and Free for SkyVector.
Does DUATS or SkyVector run on more platforms?
Both run on Web, Ios, Android, so platform support will not decide this one for you.
Can I use SkyVector for free?
Yes. SkyVector 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 SkyVector is typically brought in for.
What can DUATS do that SkyVector cannot?
DUATS covers Flight briefings, Weather data, Flight filing, NOTAMs. SkyVector covers Aeronautical charts, Weather integration, Navigation, Airport search. Both handle Flight planning, Data encryption, Web support, Ios support.

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
SkyVector: Is SkyVector free to use?

SkyVector offers both free and paid tiers. Basic aeronautical charts and retail fuel prices are available free, while contract fuel pricing requires login or signup.

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
SkyVector: What information does SkyVector provide about aviation fuel?

SkyVector provides access to retail fuel pricing for jet fuel and aviation gasoline, plus contract fuel prices for registered users.

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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