> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/global-ads-b-exchange.md). # Global ADS-B Exchange | **Global ADS-B Exchange** | **Quick Overview** | | ------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | URL | | | What it does | Provides live and historical aircraft tracking data collected from a global network of ADS-B receivers so users can view aircraft positions, flight paths, registrations, altitude, speed and other aviation metadata. | | How to use it | Search by aircraft registration, ICAO hex code, callsign or location, then explore live air traffic, replay historical flights, and analyse aircraft movements over time. | | Cost | Partially free. | | Account required | No (for basic use). | | Cookies | A large amount of cookies, primarily used for advertising, analytics, visitor recognition and location-based personalisation. | | Ownership | Owned and operated by ADS-B Exchange. | | Use in Reporting | Useful for tracking aircraft linked to governments, corporations, law enforcement, military operations, humanitarian missions, sanctions investigations and high-profile individuals. | ### What does Global ADS-B Exchange do? Global ADS-B Exchange is a powerful aviation OSINT tool that collects aircraft broadcast data directly from a worldwide community of volunteer receivers and displays it without the filtering often found on commercial flight-tracking platforms Journalists, investigators and researchers can follow aircraft routes, identify operators, analyse historical flight activity and uncover unknown aviation links. **The lowdown:** It often displays aircraft that may be hidden or restricted elsewhere, making it a favourite tool among open-source investigators. ### How to Use: **1. Search for an aircraft by entering registration number, callsign or ICAO hex code into the search bar to locate a specific aircraft. Or, simply browse the live map.** **2. Select an aircraft to review current location, flight path, altitude and speed, departure and destination points, aircraft type and historical movement data (where available).** **Tip:** Look for recurring routes, unusual destinations, operational patterns or links to significant events. ### Cost * [ ] Free * [x] Partially Free * [ ] Paid Basic tracking features are available free of charge. Additional historical data, APIs and advanced features may require payment or subscription services. ## Data Processing ### Account Required: * [ ] Yes * [x] No Most public tracking functions can be accessed without creating an account. ### Cookies: The site uses a large amount of cookies primarily for advertising, analytics, visitor recognition and location-based personalisation, allowing ADS-B Exchange and its advertising partners to identify returning users and deliver targeted content or adverts. **Note:** Users conducting sensitive research may wish to consider browser isolation, private browsing modes, tracker blocking, or dedicated research environments to reduce advertising-based profiling and activity correlation. ### Use in Reporting ADS-B Exchange can support reporting by: * Verifying aircraft presence at specific locations. * Tracking movements linked to governments or corporations. * Identifying aviation assets involved in breaking news events. * Investigating sanctions evasion and logistics networks. * Supporting timeline reconstruction. * Corroborating witness statements and visual evidence. * Monitoring humanitarian, emergency or military-related air activity. The platform has been widely cited and used in journalism, OSINT investigations, and public-interest reporting. For example, investigative journalist [Emmanuel Freudenhal has been using it to track dictators around the world. ](https://www.rtl-sdr.com/tracking-dictators-around-the-world-with-ads-b-data/) | **Capabilities** | **Limitations** | | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Tracks aircraft movements worldwide in near real time. | Coverage depends on availability of ADS-B receivers in a given area. | | Allows searching by registration, callsign or ICAO hex code. | Some aircraft may not broadcast ADS-B data or may have incomplete tracking records. | | Provides historical flight playback and route analysis. | Flight data alone cannot confirm ownership, purpose, or intent. | | Identifies aircraft details, operators, and flight characteristics. | Historical data access may be limited without a paid subscription. | | Supports verification of events, travel patterns, and aviation-related investigations. |


| ### Summary ADS-B Exchange is best used during the collection, verification and analysis stages of the OSINT workflow to track aircraft movements, establish timelines, and verify events. As always, findings should be corroborated before drawing conclusions. ### Ownership Owned and operated by ADS-B Exchange, which maintains a global crowdsourced network of ADS-B data contributors and aviation tracking services, based in the US. ### Ethical Considerations * Aircraft tracking can reveal sensitive travel patterns involving private individuals. * Avoid publishing information that could create immediate safety risks. * Consider public-interest justifications when reporting on private aviation activity. * Verify ownership claims through multiple sources before publication. * Be aware that aircraft registration does not necessarily identify the true beneficial owner. * Follow newsroom policies and applicable privacy, aviation and data-protection laws. * Use aviation data as one component of a broader evidence base rather than as standalone proof. ### Related Tools: * [FlightRadar24](/osint-tools/flightradar24.md) * FlightAware * OpenSky Network #### Sources