VOL. XCIV, NO. 247

★ BEST INVESTING TOOLS COMPARISON ★

NO ADVICE

Thursday, February 19, 2026

Tool Comparison

FlightAware vs Open Payments (CMS) comparison

Compare pricing, supported platforms, categories, and standout capabilities to decide which tool fits your workflow.

FlightAware logo

FlightAware

flightaware.com

PricingFree, Subscription, One-time
PlatformsWeb, Mobile, API
Open Payments (CMS) logo

Open Payments (CMS)

openpaymentsdata.cms.gov

PricingFree
PlatformsWeb, API
Top 50 Investing ToolsThe global ranking of the best investing tools, ranked by community votes.

At a glance

Platforms
FlightAwareWeb, Mobile, API
Open Payments (CMS)Web, API
Categories
FlightAware5
Open Payments (CMS)4
Pricing details

Tool

FlightAware

Starting price

Free tierYes
Free trial

Plans & pricing

FreeFree
Premium SubscriptionsSubscription
FlightAware GlobalSubscription
AeroAPI (v4)Subscription
Rapid ReportsOne-time

Tool

Open Payments (CMS)

Starting price

Free tierYes
Free trial

Plans & pricing

FreeFree

Vote sentiment comparison

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Platform details

AttributeFlightAwareOpen Payments (CMS)
Asset types
Other
Other
Experience
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
BeginnerIntermediateAdvanced
Regions
North AmericaEuropeAPACLatAmMiddle EastAfrica
North America
Data freshness
StreamingReal-time
End of Day
API access
REST
REST
Export formats
JSON
CSVJSON

Coverage overlap

Shared categories3

Categories where both tools offer overlapping coverage.

FlightAware strengths2

Categories covered by FlightAware only.

Open Payments (CMS) strengths1

Categories covered by Open Payments (CMS) only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between FlightAware and Open Payments (CMS)?

FlightAware focuses on Data APIs, APIs & SDKs, and Data Visualizations while Open Payments (CMS) specializes in Data APIs, APIs & SDKs, and Data Visualizations. They overlap in 3 categories, so choose based on your preferred workflow and pricing.

How much do FlightAware and Open Payments (CMS) cost?

Good news—both FlightAware and Open Payments (CMS) offer free plans. You can try each platform without commitment and only pay when you need premium features.

Can I use FlightAware or Open Payments (CMS) on my phone?

FlightAware has a mobile app so you can check your research on the go. Open Payments (CMS) is web-only, so you'll need a browser to access it from mobile devices.

Do FlightAware and Open Payments (CMS) have APIs?

Yes, both platforms offer API access for developers and quants who want to build custom integrations or automate their workflows.

Should I choose FlightAware or Open Payments (CMS)?

Choose FlightAware if you need Live flight tracking and flight-status pages with dedicated views for cancellations and delays, plus the signature MiseryMap® for U.S. air traffic disruptions., and Premium subscriptions unlock unlimited flight alerts and access to three, five, or eight months of historical flight data.. Go with Open Payments (CMS) if Three core datasets each year: General Payments, Research Payments, and Ownership/Investment Interests., and Web search/explorer with filtering and charts; program year downloads available from the portal. better fits how you invest.

Does FlightAware or Open Payments (CMS) have real-time data?

FlightAware offers real-time data feeds, which is essential for active traders. Open Payments (CMS) uses delayed or end-of-day data, which works fine for longer-term investors who don't need up-to-the-second quotes.

Can I export data from FlightAware and Open Payments (CMS)?

Open Payments (CMS) supports data exports to CSV, and JSON. FlightAware has more limited export options.

Keep Exploring

Curation & Accuracy

This directory blends AI‑assisted discovery with human curation. Entries are reviewed, edited, and organized with the goal of expanding coverage and sharpening quality over time. Your feedback helps steer improvements (because no single human can capture everything all at once).

Details change. Pricing, features, and availability may be incomplete or out of date. Treat listings as a starting point and verify on the provider’s site before making decisions. If you spot an error or a gap, send a quick note and I’ll adjust.