This is the question many people are looking to answer for their use case. But it is a question with many possible answers.
This article is relatively short and may be a shot at an open goal but, there are several main factors to consider when choosing a provider:
- Geographic Coverage: Ensure the provider offers services in your area. Coverage can vary significantly between providers, so it’s essential to verify availability.
- Data Format Compatibility: Confirm that the service transmits corrections in a format compatible with your equipment, such as RTCM3.
- Supported GNSS Constellations and Frequencies: Providers supporting multiple satellite constellations (e.g., GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, BeiDou) and frequencies can offer more robust and accurate positioning.
- Reliability and Uptime: Paid services often guarantee higher uptime and reliability, which is critical for mission-critical applications.
- Customer Support: Access to responsive support can be invaluable, especially when troubleshooting issues or setting up the service.
- Cost: Evaluate the subscription fees relative to your budget and the value offered. There are providers which are free, others are paid, see Paid or Free.
Some providers offer Free Trials, allowing you to assess their service before committing.
When reaching out to a prospective provider, be sure to ask about the above topics, so you can make the decision for yourself.
Because what is important for you, may be less important for the next person.
To see which providers are active in your area check:
North America
South America
Europe
Africa
Asia
Oceania