ArduPilot vs 
Nav2
ArduPilot vs Nav2 compared for 2026 — features, license, ease of use, performance and which one to choose. Autopilot for drones, rovers and boats vs Make a mobile robot navigate on its own.
Updated regularly · curated by OpenSourceAI.tech
ArduPilot vs Nav2 at a glance
| Spec | ArduPilot | Nav2 |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Robotics & embodied AI | Robotics & embodied AI |
| Type | Autopilot firmware | Autonomous navigation |
| License | GPL-3.0 | NOASSERTION |
| Runs locally | Yes | Yes |
| Primary language | C++ | C++ |
| Ease of use | Advanced | Advanced |
| Best for | anything autonomous that moves — in the air, on the ground or on water | ground robots that need to get from A to B without human input |
| GitHub stars | 15.5k | 4.5k |
How ArduPilot and Nav2 score
| Criterion | ArduPilot | Nav2 |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity | 3.5 | 2.5 |
| Maintenance | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| Ease of use | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Privacy | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| License freedom | 3.5 | 3.5 |
Scores are computed automatically from public signals — GitHub stars (popularity), recent commit activity (maintenance), license type (freedom), local-first design (privacy) and onboarding complexity (ease of use). Indicative, not a verdict.
What each one is
ArduPilot
ArduPilot is the autopilot firmware flying a large share of the world's open drones, plus ground rovers, boats and submarines.
- Supports aircraft, rovers, boats and submarines
- Enormous hardware compatibility
- Two decades of field testing
Nav2
Nav2 handles mapping, localisation, path planning and obstacle avoidance for wheeled and legged robots on ROS 2.
- Complete navigation stack, not just a planner
- Used in commercial deployments
- Behaviour trees make the logic auditable
Key differences
ArduPilot is autopilot firmware, while Nav2 is autonomous navigation. Their licenses differ (GPL-3.0 vs NOASSERTION), which matters if you ship a commercial product. In short, ArduPilot fits anything autonomous that moves — in the air, on the ground or on water, and Nav2 fits ground robots that need to get from A to B without human input.
Which should you choose?
Choose ArduPilot for anything autonomous that moves — in the air, on the ground or on water. Choose Nav2 for ground robots that need to get from A to B without human input.
There is rarely one winner — many setups use both. The right pick depends on your hardware, your team's skills, and whether you value simplicity or control.
Frequently asked questions
Is ArduPilot or Nav2 easier to use?
Both sit at a similar level (Advanced). Your choice should come down to fit rather than difficulty.
Are ArduPilot and Nav2 free?
ArduPilot is free and open source (GPL-3.0), and Nav2 is free and open source (NOASSERTION). Neither charges for the core software.
Can I run ArduPilot and Nav2 locally?
ArduPilot: yes · Nav2: yes. Both can be used without sending your data to a third-party cloud where their setup allows.
ArduPilot vs Nav2 — which should I pick in 2026?
Choose ArduPilot for anything autonomous that moves — in the air, on the ground or on water. Choose Nav2 for ground robots that need to get from A to B without human input.
People also compare
Explore more open-source AI
Browse thousands of open-source AI tools, models and projects — all curated in one place, updated daily.
Explore the directory →