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UgCS Open is the free flight planning software designed for professional and aspiring drone pilots. It delivers powerful tools like 3D terrain-following and full offline functionality without trial periods or hidden costs. If you need a reliable free flight planner for mapping, surveying, or complex automated missions, UgCS Open provides the core features of our expert-grade software, completely free.
What is UgCS Open?
UgCS Open is built on the same core engine as UgCS Expert, the drone flight planning software trusted by professionals for over a decade. It’s not a stripped-down demo. You get full 3D mission planning, terrain-aware flight automation, and powerful drone control, without the usual barriers to entry.
For anyone searching for a free flight planner, UgCS Open delivers the key professional features you need:
- Multi-Platform Drone Support: Plan missions for a wide range of drones, including modern DJI aircraft (Mavic 3E/T, M30, M300/350 RTK) and platforms running ArduPilot or PX4 autopilots.
- Full Offline Functionality: UgCS is desktop-first. Plan and fly your missions without requiring an internet or cloud connection in the field.
- True Terrain Following: Plan flights that accurately follow the ground using your own high-resolution elevation data (DEM/DSM).
- DJI Pilot 2 Connection: Directly connect with the DJI Pilot 2 app to fly pre-planned missions with the latest DJI drones.
- In-App Walkthrough: An easy-to-follow onboarding helps you plan your first mission in minutes.
What are the limits of UgCS Open?
To keep UgCS Open completely free, there are a few usage limits on the daily flight planning workflow:
- Missions: You can create and save up to 2 missions per day.
- Route Distance: A maximum route distance of 250 meters between the two furthest points.
- Uploads/Exports: You can upload a mission to your drone or export it up to 2 times per day.
How to Activate UgCS Open
Getting started is simple. After you download and install UgCS, follow the steps in the app. You will receive an email with a registration code, which you will have to enter into the UgCS application.
UgCS Open vs. UgCS Expert: What’s Free vs. Pro
The table below compares UgCS Open to the paid version, UgCS Expert.
Who UgCS Open Is For (and when to upgrade)
UgCS Open is the perfect entry point into professional drone mission planning. It’s an ideal tool for non-commercial use, training, and evaluation, allowing you to learn and experiment with powerful features without a subscription.
It’s the right choice for:
- Students and Training Programs: Learn the fundamentals of professional flight planning with the same 3D interface and terrain-following tools used in the industry.
- New Pilots: Practice your first photogrammetry or LiDAR survey workflows in a real planning environment at no cost.
- R&D and Technicians: Use it for small-scale tests, sensor integration trials, and other research and development tasks.
- Professional Pilots: Evaluate the core functionality and workflow of UgCS to see if it’s the right fit for your business before committing to a purchase.
When to Upgrade to UgCS Expert
As your projects grow in scale and complexity, you’ll need the unlimited capabilities of our professional licenses. It’s time to upgrade when you need to:
- Survey Larger Areas: Plan missions where the route exceeds the 250m distance limit.
- Increase Your Mission Volume: Create more than two missions per day or require more frequent uploads and exports.
- Use Advanced Tools: Access specialized features like corridor mapping, façade scanning, and custom route creation.
- Work in a Team: Manage missions and assets across multiple users and drones in a single organization.
Getting Started is Easy
Not sure where to begin? We’ve made it simple to get up and running. UgCS Open includes an in-app tutorial, so you can start planning real missions in minutes.
- Download UgCS for Free Install the software on your Windows or macOS computer.
- Activate UgCS Open Launch the application, choose Get started on the welcome screen, and select the UgCS Open option. You will need to check your email to confirm and activate your free license.
- Plan Your First 3D Mission Once activated, follow the simple in-app walkthrough to learn the interface and plan your first terrain-following flight.
That's it. You're ready to explore the power of professional-grade drone flight planning. No subscription and no trial period; just powerful software at your fingertips.
UgCS Free Drone Flight Planner: FAQs
Is UgCS Open really free?
UgCS Open is the free version of the professional drone planning and surveying software UgCS. It is completely free to use with some limitations - it allows two missions per day, with a 250m/820ft distance limit per route.
Does it work offline?
Yes, in comparison to other drone flight planning and surveying platforms and applications, UgCS Open, as well as UgCS Expert and higher, fully support offline planning.
Which drones are supported?
UgCS Open supports all drone platforms. The list of drones supported with UgCS can be found here.
Can I connect to DJI Pilot 2?
Yes, UgCS Open, as well as higher packages of UgCS, do allow connection to DJI Pilot 2.
