Comparison

DroneDAA by uAvionix vs Ward

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

DroneDAA by uAvionix

Provides real-time situational awareness for drone and manned aircraft operators. Detects nearby drones via Bluetooth and displays manned aircraft traffic with an ADS-B receiver. Includes FAA airspace data, proximity alerts, and weather information.

Highlights
  • Live drone detection via Bluetooth
  • Live manned aircraft traffic display (ADS-B)
  • FAA airspace boundary overlays
  • Configurable proximity alerts
  • Integrated weather information
  • Offline map and data capabilities
Features
Read full description

DroneDAA gives drone operators, pilots, and airspace safety professionals real-time situational awareness — right from their iPhone or iPad. Live Drone Detection DroneDAA picks up FAA Remote ID broadcasts from nearby drones using Bluetooth, displaying each drone's position, altitude, speed, heading, and operator location on the map in real time. No internet required for local detection. Live Aircraft Traffic Connect to a portable ADS-B receiver to see manned aircraft positions, callsigns, altitudes, and velocities — the same data used by professional ground stations. FAA Airspace Layers Display Class B, C, D, and E airspace boundaries, TFRs, restricted and prohibited areas, and obstructions directly on the map. Know your airspace at a glance. Proximity Alerts Configurable caution and warning rings notify you when aircraft or drones enter your defined range and altitude thresholds. Alerts escalate with audio tones and haptic feedback so you never miss a conflict. skyAlert Integration Connected to a uAvionix skyAlert? Sync your alert thresholds, adjust traffic alarm range, altitude, volume, and LED brightness — all from within the app. Aviation-Grade Map Built on Apple MapKit with satellite and hybrid views. Range rings, velocity vectors, and operator position lines give you full situational context at a glance. Weather Current conditions, wind, visibility, and minute-by-minute precipitation forecasts powered by Apple WeatherKit. Weather alerts keep you informed of changing conditions. Offline Capable Download topo map tiles and FAA airspace data for your area. Remote ID scanning works entirely via Bluetooth with no internet connection required. Built for the Field Dark theme optimized for outdoor use. Designed for drone pilots, manned aircraft pilots, airport operations, and airspace safety professionals. Terms Use of this app is subject to the Apple Standard End User License Agreement (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeveula/ Note: ADS-B traffic requires a compatible GDL-90 receiver (such as a uAvionix skyAlert, Stratux, SkyEcho, or similar). Remote ID detection requires iOS 15+ and Bluetooth.

About

Ward

Features
Read full description

Ward is a passive drone detection app that uses your iPhone’s camera and microphone to help identify possible drones visually and acoustically. It does not transmit signals or interfere with drones. Detection runs on your device. THREE DETECTION MODES VISION Ward uses on-device computer vision and a neural network model to analyze the live camera feed and identify possible drones in real time. ACOUSTIC Ward uses real-time audio analysis to detect sound patterns associated with drone rotors and motors. Directional audio processing is enhanced on iPhone 16 and later, while other supported devices operate in stereo. MANUAL TRACKING Ward uses visual object tracking to follow a region you select directly on the camera feed, allowing you to track distant or unidentified objects even when the detection model does not recognize them. APPLE WATCH The direction of a detected drone is displayed on your watch's compass dial. When a threat is detected, your watch sounds an alarm and vibrates, eliminating the need to take your phone out of your pocket. The Watch app works in tandem with the detection system on your iPhone. LISTENING ON THE LOCK SCREEN Acoustic detection continues even when the screen is locked. Detection status appears as a Live Activity on the Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. Audio is processed solely on your device; it is not recorded or transmitted anywhere. Background listening, Live Activity, and Watch integration can be toggled off individually in the "Watch & Alarm" section of the Acoustic settings. OFFLINE MAPS Download the visible area as a zone (up to 10 zones). Downloaded zones remain visible on the map even without an internet connection. IMPORTANT INFORMATION Ward is not radar, a certified security system, or an emergency-warning device. Detection results are probabilistic. False detections may occur, and a drone or other object may go undetected. Under favorable daytime conditions, visual detection is designed for use at distances of approximately up to 50 meters. Acoustic detection may operate at approximately up to 70 meters in quiet, open environments. These are approximate reference values, not guaranteed detection ranges. Low light, fog, precipitation, rapid movement, complex backgrounds, distance, object size, wind, vehicles, generators, fans, and other environmental noise may affect detection performance. Map direction and position indicators are estimates and do not represent a drone’s verified GPS position, exact location, or exact distance. Use Ward only in safe and lawful settings and comply with applicable local laws. This app requires an active subscription to access its features. Choose between a monthly or yearly subscription after downloading the app. Subscriptions automatically renew unless canceled through your Apple ID subscription settings. Terms of Use (EULA): https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

DroneDAA by uAvionix4 screens
Ward4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is in-app purchases: DroneDAA by uAvionix at none against Ward's 2. DroneDAA by uAvionix also leads on iOS requirement (15.0 vs 26.0). Ward's advantage is update cadence (weekly vs monthly). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Ward sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $29.99 per month. DroneDAA by uAvionix asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

DroneDAA by uAvionix ships an update monthly, Ward weekly. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 6, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard3 real differences · 6 level
DroneDAA by uAvionix versus Ward: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterDroneDAA by uAvionixWard
PriceFreeFree
Rating5.0 (2 ratings) — better—
Number of ratings2 — better—
Update frequencyMonthlyWeekly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, Apple Watch
Requires iOS15.0 — better26.0
Further details — not scored
Size3 MB117 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperCAVU Consulting LLCParabellum App Studio

In-app purchases

None

DroneDAA by uAvionix

No in-app purchases

2 purchases

Ward

Subscriptions2
  • Monthly Subscription1 Month trial$29.991 Month
  • Yearly Subscription1 Year trial$299.991 Year

Questions

Is DroneDAA by uAvionix free?
DroneDAA by uAvionix is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Ward free?
Ward is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do DroneDAA by uAvionix or Ward have ads?
Neither DroneDAA by uAvionix nor Ward shows ads.
Which is updated more often, DroneDAA by uAvionix or Ward?
DroneDAA by uAvionix ships an update monthly, and Ward weekly. Most recently, DroneDAA by uAvionix was updated on November 5, 2026 and Ward on November 6, 2026.

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