Emlid’s NTRIP Caster vs. An NTRIP Service: What is the difference?

What is NTRIP?

NTRIP is an industry standard used to send GPS / GNSS corrections over the internet in real time from a base to a rover.

Emlid's NTRIP Caster

Enables corrections to be sent between your own base and rover. No Additional costs / subscriptions required.

The Emlid Caster works as a pipeline that supplies corrections via the Internet. The core function of NTRIP Caster is to receive RTK data from your base and pass them to your rover.

This is a perfect way to work for those who have their own base and rover. You can set up a permanent base on a known point and work independently with multiple rovers. All your devices should be RTK-capable and have an Internet connection. You won’t have any additional expenses, as there are no subscription costs — the Emlid Caster is free and works worldwide.

An NTRIP Service

Enables working with just a Rover. Additional Costs / Subscriptions are required.


The NTRIP Service allows you to “rent” the nearest third-party base. In this case, you don’t need your own base station. A rover and an Internet connection are enough to start surveying.

Beyond that, it’s necessary to get a subscription to the NTRIP Service. The cost and coverage area depends on the specific service provider. Also, there is no global coverage. You need to search for a provider that works in your country.

About Emlid Caster

Emlid Caster is an easy way to transmit corrections between RTK-capable devices via the Internet. It works with Emlid products and any other device that supports NTRIP. Emlid Caster is available for free worldwide. To get started, sign up at caster.emlid.com.

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