Cloud RTK vs. Base Station: A Cost Breakdown

The Smarter Way to Get Centimeter-Level Accuracy for Drone Spraying.

If you've been spraying with an agricultural drone for any amount of time, you already know that RTK (Real-Time Kinematic) positioning is what separates professional-grade precision from "close enough." Standard GPS gives you 3-10 feet of accuracy. RTK narrows that down to 1-2 centimeters, the kind of precision that eliminates overlap, reduces chemical waste, and keeps your spray lines razor-straight pass after pass.

But here's the question most operators eventually run into: do you really need to buy a physical base station to get RTK accuracy?

For years, the answer was yes. You'd pick up a DJI D-RTK 2 or upgrade to the newer D-RTK 3, set it up on a tripod at the edge of your field, and let it feed correction data to your drone. It works, but it comes with a significant price tag, extra setup time, and one more piece of equipment to haul, calibrate, and maintain.

Today, there's a smarter alternative that's changing the game for spray drone operators: NTRIP-based RTK correction services. One provider in particular, RTKData.com, is making it easier (and more affordable) than ever to get centimeter-level accuracy without owning a base station at all.

In this article, we'll break down exactly how NTRIP RTK works, compare it head-to-head against physical base stations like the DJI D-RTK 3, walk through the setup process, and show you how to save money getting started.

What Is NTRIP and How Does It Replace a Physical Base Station?

NTRIP stands for Networked Transport of RTCM via Internet Protocol. In plain terms, it's a system that streams real-time RTK correction data to your drone's controller over the internet, using the same type of correction data that a physical base station would provide, but delivered from a network of permanent, survey-grade reference stations instead.

Here's the simple version of how it works:

1. A network of fixed base stations (installed at precisely surveyed locations around the world) continuously tracks satellite signals and calculates correction data.
2. That correction data is streamed via the internet (cellular data, Wi-Fi, or satellite internet) to your drone's remote controller.
3. Your drone applies those corrections in real time, achieving the same centimeter-level accuracy you'd get from your own physical base station, without actually owning one.

With a service like RTKData.com, you get access to over 20,000 reference stations across 140+ countries. The system automatically connects you to the nearest station, so there's no manual configuration of base coordinates. You just enter your NTRIP credentials into your controller's RTK settings, and you're locked in.

If you've ever used the "Custom Network RTK" option in the DJI Agras app or DJI Terra, that's exactly where your NTRIP credentials go. It's the same RTK pipeline your drone already supports. You're just swapping the correction source from a physical box on a tripod to a cloud-based service.

The Problem with Physical Base Stations

Don't get us wrong. Physical base stations like the DJI D-RTK 2 and the newer D-RTK 3 are solid pieces of hardware. They work. But for agricultural spray drone operators who are covering acres for a living, there are real-world drawbacks that add up fast.

The Cost Factor

The DJI D-RTK 3 Multifunctional GNSS Station carries an MSRP starting around $1,699 for the unit alone. But that's just the base station with no tripod, no survey pole, and no carrying case. Once you add the full kit with a survey pole, tripod, and DJI Care Enterprise, you're looking at $5,000 to nearly $8,000 depending on the configuration. The older D-RTK 2 carried a similar premium, with pricing varying by dealer and configuration.

For a spray drone business where you're getting paid per acre, that's a significant chunk of capital tied up in a single piece of positioning equipment, and it only does one thing.

Setup and Transport

Every job site means pulling out the base station, setting up the tripod, powering it on, waiting for satellite lock, and making sure it's communicating with your drone before you even start planning your flight. At the end of the day, you're packing it all back up. Over the course of a busy spray season, those extra 10-15 minutes per site add up to hours of lost productivity.

Single Point of Failure

If your base station takes a fall, gets damaged during transport, or has a firmware issue in the field, your entire operation is grounded until it's fixed. There's no backup unless you're carrying a spare (doubling your investment).

Accuracy Limitations in Standalone Mode

Here's something many operators don't realize: when you set up a DJI D-RTK 3 in standalone mode (without inputting known surveyed coordinates or calibrating via NTRIP), its absolute accuracy is limited to approximately 1.5 meters horizontally and 3.0 meters vertically. Your drone will fly with high relative precision (consistent pass-to-pass accuracy), but the entire flight path could be offset by several meters from where it should actually be on the map.

To achieve the advertised 1 cm + 1 ppm horizontal / 3 cm + 1 ppm vertical accuracy, you actually need to calibrate the base station using... an NTRIP network. Which brings us full circle. If you need NTRIP to calibrate your base station anyway, why not just use NTRIP directly?

RTKData.com: Cloud-Based RTK for Agricultural Drone Spraying

RTKData.com provides NTRIP RTK correction subscriptions specifically designed for precision positioning, and their service is a natural fit for agricultural spray drone operations. Here's what sets them apart:

Massive Global Coverage

RTKData connects you to a network of over 20,000 geodetic-grade base stations spread across more than 140 countries. Each station uses triple-frequency, multi-constellation receivers (GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou) with survey-grade antennas. Whether you're spraying in Idaho, Texas, the Midwest, or overseas, chances are there's a reference station nearby.

Centimeter-Level Accuracy

The service delivers 1-2 cm horizontal accuracy and 2-3 cm vertical accuracy in real time, with sub-second latency. That's the same precision tier as having your own D-RTK 3 set up and properly calibrated, but without the hardware.

Automatic Base Station Assignment

You don't need to manually select a nearby reference station or figure out mountpoint names. RTKData uses an AUTO mountpoint system that automatically connects you to the optimal base station for your location. Just set your mountpoint to AUTO and the system handles the rest.

Works with DJI Agras Drones (and Most NTRIP-Compatible Systems)

If your drone controller supports Custom Network RTK or any NTRIP/RTCM 3.2 input, it works with RTKData. That includes the full DJI Agras lineup: the T50, T25, T40, and older models. The setup takes about two minutes in the controller's RTK settings.

Free 30-Day Trial

RTKData offers a full-featured 30-day free trial with no auto-renewal and no credit card tricks. The trial ends automatically so you can test the service on your actual spray jobs with zero risk before committing.

Cost Comparison: NTRIP Service vs. DJI D-RTK 3

Let's put real numbers side by side. This is where the NTRIP approach really shines for spray drone operators who are watching their bottom line.

Factor	DJI D-RTK 3 (Physical Base Station)	RTKData.com (NTRIP Service)
Upfront Cost	$1,699 - $7,849 (unit + accessories)	$0 (30-day free trial)
Monthly Cost	$0 (after purchase)	$40/month (or ~$33/month annual)
Year 1 Total	$1,699 - $7,849	~$396/year (annual plan)
3-Year Total	$1,699 - $7,849 (same)	~$1,188
Setup Time Per Job	10-15 minutes (tripod, power, satellite lock)	~30 seconds (already configured)
Equipment to Carry	Base station + tripod + survey pole + case	Nothing extra
Accuracy	1 cm + 1 ppm (when network RTK calibrated)	1-2 cm
Internet Required?	No (standalone operation)	Yes (cellular or Wi-Fi)
Risk of Hardware Failure	Yes (physical damage, firmware issues)	Minimal (cloud infrastructure with 24/7 monitoring)

The math is straightforward: even on the annual plan, RTKData costs roughly $396 per year. You'd need to subscribe for over 4 years before you'd match the cost of just the D-RTK 3 unit alone, and that's not counting the tripod kit, carrying cases, and the time value of hauling extra gear to every job.

For operators just getting started or scaling their spray business, the capital savings alone can be redirected toward what actually makes money: a better drone, more batteries, or additional accessories.

How to Set Up RTKData on Your DJI Agras Drone

Getting connected to RTKData's NTRIP service on a DJI Agras drone is surprisingly simple. Here's the step-by-step process:

Step 1: Create Your RTKData Account

Head to RTKData.com and sign up. You can start with their free 30-day trial to test the service on your actual spray jobs before committing. Use our link to get 5% off your subscription.

Step 2: Get Your NTRIP Credentials

After signing up, you'll receive your connection details:

• Host/Caster: rtk.rtkdata.com (or regional servers like eu.rtkdata.com or aus.rtkdata.com)
• Port: 2101
• Mountpoint: AUTO (automatically selects the nearest base station)
• Username & Password: Provided in your account dashboard

Step 3: Enter Credentials in Your DJI Controller

On your DJI Agras remote controller (T50, T25, T40, etc.):

1. Open the DJI Agras app and navigate to RTK Settings.
2. Select "Custom Network RTK" as your RTK source.
3. Enter the host, port, mountpoint, username, and password from Step 2.
4. Make sure "Send GGA to Caster" is turned ON. This tells the network your approximate location so it can send you the best corrections.
5. Wait for RTK status to show "FIX". This confirms you're receiving centimeter-level corrections.

Step 4: Verify Before Flying

Before launching your spray mission, confirm that the RTK status shows "FIX" (not "Float" or "Single"). For best practices, verify accuracy by checking a known reference point or ground control point if available. Once you see a solid FIX, you're ready to spray with centimeter-level precision.

For a deeper dive into RTK troubleshooting, check out our guide on RTK Connectivity Problems and Solutions.

Internet Connectivity: The One Requirement You Need to Plan For

There's one critical thing to understand about NTRIP-based RTK: it requires an internet connection on your drone's remote controller. The correction data streams in real time from the cloud, so without internet, there's no RTK fix.

But here's the good news. You have several practical options to stay connected in the field:

Option 1: Mobile Phone Hotspot (Easiest)

The simplest solution is to create a Wi-Fi hotspot from your smartphone and connect your DJI remote controller to it. Most modern smartphones can share their cellular data connection over Wi-Fi, and NTRIP correction data uses very little bandwidth. We're talking kilobytes per second, not megabytes. Even a basic 4G/LTE signal is more than enough.

If you have cell service at your spray site (which covers the vast majority of agricultural areas in the U.S.), this method costs you nothing extra beyond your existing phone plan.

Option 2: Starlink Satellite Internet (For Remote Areas)

For operators spraying in areas with poor or no cellular coverage (think remote ranches, mountainous terrain, or deep rural areas), Starlink is a game-changer. Starlink's satellite internet service delivers high-speed, low-latency internet virtually anywhere on Earth, making it perfect for field operations where cell towers don't reach.

Many spray drone operators are already running Starlink from their trucks or trailers for real-time data syncing and communication. Adding NTRIP connectivity on top of that is seamless.

Want to try Starlink? Use our referral link to get one month free after activation: starlink.com/residential - Get 1 Month Free.

Option 3: Dedicated Mobile Hotspot / MiFi Device

If you don't want to drain your phone battery or tie up your personal device, a dedicated mobile hotspot (like a Netgear Nighthawk or similar MiFi device) gives you a dedicated internet connection for your controller. Pair it with a data-only SIM and you have a reliable, always-on connection specifically for your RTK needs.

Bandwidth Requirements

NTRIP correction data is extremely lightweight. A typical RTCM correction stream uses approximately 2-5 KB per second, which works out to roughly 10-20 MB per hour of continuous operation. Even the most basic data plan can handle that without breaking a sweat. You won't notice it on your phone bill.

When Does a Physical Base Station Still Make Sense?

We're big advocates for NTRIP-based RTK, but we believe in giving you the full picture. There are specific scenarios where a physical base station like the DJI D-RTK 2 or D-RTK 3 may still be the right call:

• Truly remote operations with zero internet access - If you're spraying in areas with no cell coverage AND you don't have Starlink or another satellite internet option, a physical base station is your only path to RTK accuracy.
• Survey-grade ground control point (GCP) work - The D-RTK 3's rover mode allows it to function as a precision survey tool for establishing GCPs. If you're doing combined spray + mapping operations that require absolute positional accuracy tied to known survey monuments, the D-RTK 3 adds value beyond just being a base station.
• Multi-drone swarm operations in remote areas - If you're running multiple drones simultaneously in areas without internet, a single physical base station can serve all aircraft. For more on multi-drone setups, see our article on multi-drone payload strategies.

That said, for the vast majority of commercial spray drone operators working in areas with cellular coverage (or carrying Starlink), NTRIP is the more practical, cost-effective, and reliable solution.

Why We Recommend RTKData.com

There are several NTRIP providers out there, but we recommend RTKData.com for spray drone operators for a few key reasons:

• Best-in-class coverage: 20,000+ stations across 140+ countries means you're covered whether you spray locally or travel for jobs.
• Agricultural focus: RTKData specifically supports agricultural drone applications and understands the needs of precision spraying operations.
• Simple setup: The AUTO mountpoint system eliminates the guesswork of selecting the right reference station for your location.
• Affordable pricing: At $40/month or approximately $33/month on an annual plan, it's a fraction of the cost of a physical base station.
• Multi-constellation support: GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou give you the full stack of satellite constellations for the fastest fix times and most reliable corrections.
• No-risk trial: The 30-day free trial with no auto-renewal means you can test it thoroughly on your real spray jobs before spending a dime.
• 24/7 monitoring: RTKData's infrastructure is monitored around the clock with sub-second latency, so you can count on corrections being there when you need them.

Get 5% Off RTKData with Our Link

We've partnered with RTKData to offer Drone Spray Pro customers an exclusive discount. Use our referral link to get 5% off your RTKData subscription:

Get 5% Off RTKData.com

Whether you're starting with the free trial or jumping straight to a paid plan, this link ensures you get the best price. Pair it with the savings you're already getting by not buying a $1,700+ base station, and your RTK costs just became one of the most affordable line items in your spray operation.

Connectivity Deals: Get Starlink for Free (First Month)

If you need satellite internet for remote spray jobs, Starlink is the go-to solution for agricultural drone operators. High-speed, low-latency internet from virtually anywhere, perfect for keeping your NTRIP connection rock-solid even when you're miles from the nearest cell tower.

Try Starlink - 1 Month Free After Activation

Use our referral link above to get one month of Starlink service for free after activation. Many operators are already running Starlink on their spray trailers for data syncing, weather monitoring, and communication. Adding NTRIP RTK connectivity is just one more reason to have it in your setup.

The Bottom Line: NTRIP RTK Is the Future of Precision Drone Spraying

The shift from physical base stations to cloud-based RTK corrections mirrors what cloud computing did for server infrastructure, transforming a major capital expense into a predictable, scalable operating cost. In 2026, NTRIP is rapidly becoming the go-to positioning approach for commercial drone teams, and the trend is only accelerating.

For agricultural spray drone operators, the benefits are clear:

• Save thousands in upfront hardware costs
• Eliminate setup time at every job site
• Get the same centimeter-level accuracy as a physical base station
• Reduce equipment risk with nothing extra to break, lose, or maintain
• Scale effortlessly by adding more drones without buying more base stations

Whether you're spraying 50 acres a day or 500, the math works. RTKData.com gives you professional-grade positioning at a price that makes sense for operators at every level.

Related Articles

• Top 6 RTK Systems for Precision Agricultural Spraying
• RTK Connectivity Problems: Solutions
• How to Use Drone Data for Variable Rate Spraying
• How Topographic Mapping Improves Spray Drone Accuracy
• Spray Drone ROI: Cost Analysis for Modern Farming
• How to Calibrate Agricultural Spray Drones
• Best Practices for Spray Drone Data Analysis