ADS-B Exchange Review

What ADS-B Exchange Is

ADS-B Exchange is a flight tracking network. Community volunteers run ADS-B receivers worldwide, collecting data from aircraft broadcasting on 1090 MHz.

ADS-B sends aircraft position, altitude, speed, heading, ID. Receivers pick up these broadcasts. ADS-B Exchange shares all the data publicly.

The FAA's LADD program lets US aircraft owners opt out. Commercial services like Flightradar24 and FlightAware comply. ADS-B Exchange does not. Founder Dan Streufert says aircraft data serves public safety.

ADS-B Exchange was acquired by JETNET in 2022. The policy hasn't changed. The issue is private interests versus transparency.

When a tail number's missing on FR24, check ADS-B Exchange first. It's a distinct tool for investigators. One policy difference makes all the data available. That's it.

What It's Good For

Tracking hidden aircraft. Corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals, and government contractors often register their aircraft under LLCs. They opt into LADD. This makes them invisible on FR24. However, they are visible on ADS-B Exchange. Their aircraft show up, and you can see them.

Surveillance and law enforcement aircraft tracking. DHS, FBI, and state police operate fixed-wing surveillance aircraft that transmit ADS-B. Commercial trackers often filter them out, but not ADS-B Exchange. Journalists and researchers use ADS-B Exchange to document domestic surveillance. These aircraft appear on ADS-B Exchange; they do not appear elsewhere.

Squawk code monitoring. You can filter live traffic using squawk codes. The code 7700 indicates emergency, 7600 indicates communication loss, and 7500 indicates hijack. You can also create custom codes without an API fee. This feature is particularly useful during breaking news.

The "Interesting Aircraft" filter. ADS-B Exchange maintains a list of notable aircraft, including government planes, law enforcement, and military support flights, such as government planes, law enforcement, military support flights. Use this filter when you're unsure what to look for; it allows you to see what's flying without extra work.

MLAT for non-ADS-B aircraft. Some aircraft lack ADS-B, such as older planes and military support aircraft, which use Mode S transponders. ADS-B Exchange's receiver network uses multilateration, which has lower accuracy but is still usable for tracking general movement.

Getting Started

To access the basic map, no account is needed; visit globe.adsbexchange.com for the live interface.

You can search for an aircraft by using the search bar to enter a tail number, callsign, or ICAO hex code. The aircraft panel will then display its position, altitude, speed, and transponder data. Clicking through will provide a 7-day flight history.

The platform offers various filters, such as overlaying military traffic, highlighting notable aircraft, and isolating emergency or special-purpose squawks by setting a squawk code range.

For historical research, contact ADS-B Exchange to inquire about API access; pricing varies depending on the use case, with different rates for academic, journalistic, and commercial purposes.

When comparing with FR24, it's best to check FR24 first; if the information appears incomplete, try searching here. If an aircraft appears here but not on FR24, it has likely opted into LADD.

ADS-B Exchange vs. Filtered Trackers

The table below shows what you get, or don't get, depending on the platform and aircraft type.

ADS-B Exchange surfaces aircraft that have been intentionally hidden from commercial trackers. ADS-B Exchange shows everything, no filtering.

For commercial flight research or anything where polished UI matters, FR24 wins. It's the go-to for public audiences.

ADS-B Exchange is for unfiltered surveillance. That's its value.

becomes

ADS-B Exchange surfaces aircraft that have been intentionally hidden from commercial trackers. ADS-B Exchange shows everything, no filtering.

For commercial flight research or anything where polished UI matters, FR24 wins; it's the go-to for public audiences.

ADS-B Exchange is for unfiltered surveillance, that's its value.

Pricing

The free tier handles most checks, covering spot-checks, brief movements, and short history. The paywall kicks in for extended history or programmatic access. There is no tiered pricing like some services; you hit the free limit, then negotiate directly for the API.

Verify pricing at adsbexchange.com before building around their historical data. Terms can change.

Limitations

Coverage gaps outside Europe and North America. ADS-B Exchange relies on volunteers. As a result, receivers are scarce in Southeast Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of South America. FR24 fills some of these gaps with satellite ADS-B. It is essential to check coverage before assuming absence.

MLAT accuracy. Position estimates are derived from receiver timing differences, which are calculated, not broadcast. The horizontal accuracy can be off. MLAT requires multiple receivers to function. In sparse areas, this may not trigger.

Historical data access. A seven-day free trial is available. After that, users must contact ADS-B Exchange for access to 90 or 365 days of data. There is no self-serve option.

UI friction. The map is functional. However, it differs from FR24, and some features, such as filtering and aircraft details, require improvement. The mobile version is acceptable, but users should expect a learning curve.

Not the right tool for commercial aviation research. FR24 offers airline schedules and FAA/Eurocontrol data, making it more suitable for commercial flights. In contrast, ADS-B Exchange provides more noise than signal, rendering it less ideal for commercial aviation research.

Alternatives

Flightradar24 offers a polished UI and robust commercial flight data through its mobile app. The Gold tier, which costs extra, provides 365-day history and is necessary for serious tracking. Flightradar24 complies with LADD; aircraft opted out won't show up. FlightAware excels in US domestic commercial aviation, with deep integration of FAA data. Its API pricing is clear, which helps when building workflows. FlightAware complies with LADD. The OpenSky Network serves academics with an ADS-B database and REST API, and its historical archives go far back. The interface isn't slick, but it is better for researchers who need data over time. OpenSky Network does not filter per LADD. If analysis is your goal, note OpenSky Network. Planefinder resembles Flightradar24, with a commercial focus and LADD compliance. It is not the go-to for investigative work; other tools have more OSINT value.

Verdict

ADS-B Exchange shows aircraft that opted out of tracking. That's its key advantage. You use it alongside FR24, not instead. The free tier works for current and 7-day lookups. If you need more history on LADD aircraft, contact them for API terms. Don't assume it scales. When a tail number draws a blank on FR24, ADS-B Exchange is the next stop.

See Also

• Flightradar24 vs ADS-B Exchange: Which Flight Tracker for OSINT?
• Passive Radio Intelligence for Investigators: What SDR Can Tell You
• OSINT for Vehicle Investigations: VINs, License Plates, and Vehicle Tracking

Further Reading

• ADSBexchange official site
• ADSBexchange API documentation