RTK vs GPS: Accuracy, Corrections, Workflows (2026)

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

If you stake a point for construction, map a site with a drone, or guide machinery using “standard GPS,” a 2–5 meter error can quietly turn into rework, failed QA, or missed tolerances.

Summary

Most “GPS” in day-to-day field use is actually uncorrected GNSS (SPP), which commonly lands in the ~1–5 m range outdoors and can get worse around trees and buildings. RTK adds real-time corrections (often delivered as RTCM via NTRIP) and uses carrier-phase measurements to reach centimeter-level positioning when you hold an RTK FIX. The practical difference in RTK vs GPS comes down to corrections, signal quality, baseline length, latency, and correct coordinate/datum settings.

Key takeaways

• GPS vs GNSS vs RTK: GPS is a constellation, GNSS is the umbrella term, and RTK is a technique that uses GNSS signals plus corrections.
• Realistic accuracy: SPP is often ~1–5 m; RTK FIX can be ~1–2 cm horizontal and ~2–4 cm vertical in good conditions.
• FIX vs FLOAT matters: FIX typically means resolved ambiguities and highest confidence; FLOAT can be biased by several cm to decimeters.
• Corrections delivery: RTCM is the correction format; NTRIP is a common internet delivery method; mountpoints are the correction streams you subscribe to.
• Workflow choice: RTK/NRTK is best for cm-level real-time; PPK is more forgiving when comms drop; PPP can work without a local base but requires convergence.

Introduction

That mismatch happens because most “GPS” positions people rely on are uncorrected GNSS solutions that drift with atmosphere, satellite errors, and local signal reflections.

RTK adds real-time corrections to the same GNSS signals to reach centimeter-level positioning—when the workflow is set up correctly and conditions allow.

So when people ask about RTK vs GPS (or just type rtk vs gps), the real question is usually: what is the difference between rtk and gps as used in the field? In practice, “standard GPS” is typically SPP (Single Point Positioning) with no corrections. Expect roughly ~1–5 m outdoors on a decent day. With an RTK FIX and clean sky view, many professional receivers land around ~1–2 cm horizontal and ~2–4 cm vertical—and yes, vertical is usually worse.

This guide breaks down centimeters vs meters, why carrier-phase and ambiguity resolution matter, and how to choose between RTK, network RTK (NRTK), PPP, and PPK depending on comms, latency, and environment.

First, let’s fix the terminology—because “rtk gps vs gnss” is a common misunderstanding.

RTK vs GPS terminology explained

Most confusion around RTK vs GPS comes from comparing two different categories. GPS is a satellite constellation. RTK is a positioning technique that can use GPS signals (and usually others) plus corrections.

GPS is the U.S. satellite navigation constellation; GNSS is the umbrella term for all global constellations (GPS, Galileo, GLONASS, BeiDou).

When blogs claim “GPS accuracy,” they’re often describing an uncorrected GNSS position computed from code/pseudorange measurements—this is SPP (Single Point Positioning). A phone or basic receiver reporting a lat/long with no corrections is doing SPP.

Why does that matter? Because if you compare RTK to “GPS” without defining SPP, you’ll compare a technique (RTK) to a constellation (GPS). That’s how people buy the wrong hardware, select the wrong mountpoint, then wonder why “RTK” didn’t fix their site.

Quick glossary for field crews

• SPP (Single Point Positioning): Uncorrected GNSS using broadcast satellite data; typically meter-level.
• DGPS/DGNSS: Differential GNSS using pseudorange (code) corrections from a reference; usually sub-meter to decimeter.
• RTK: Real-Time Kinematic—carrier-phase differential positioning that resolves integer ambiguities for centimeter-level results.
• NRTK (Network RTK): RTK using a network of reference stations that models spatial errors; typically delivered via internet/NTRIP.
• PPK: Post-Processed Kinematic—carrier-phase positioning processed after data collection; similar potential accuracy to RTK but not real-time.
• PPP: Precise Point Positioning—uses precise satellite products; no local base required but needs convergence time.

Common mistake: Don’t write “GNSS vs RTK” as if they are alternatives—write “uncorrected GNSS (SPP) vs RTK.” That’s the real rtk gps vs gnss comparison people mean.

What is GPS RTK? GPS RTK means using the GPS constellation signals (often plus other GNSS) with RTK carrier-phase corrections to get centimeter-level positioning. This is what drone RTK, survey rovers, and machine control systems use for repeatable cm-level coordinates.

RTK vs GPS accuracy realities

When crews argue about rtk vs gps accuracy, they’re usually mixing “best case” marketing with “real jobsite” physics.

Autonomous GNSS/SPP is typically ~1–5 m outdoors with clear sky, and can be worse near buildings/trees. RTK with an RTK FIX in good conditions is often ~1–2 cm horizontal and ~2–4 cm vertical; if you’re FLOAT, expect worse and less repeatability.

Also: accuracy (truth) vs precision (tight scatter) are different. Anyone who’s run a rover beside a building knows you can get a “stable” position that’s consistently wrong if multipath or a frame mismatch is present.

• RTK FIX: Receiver has resolved integer ambiguities; highest confidence cm-level solution.
• RTK FLOAT: Ambiguities not fully resolved; position may look smooth but can be biased by several cm to decimeters.
• DGPS (code differential): Uses pseudorange corrections; improves meters to sub-meter/decimeter but not cm-level.

For staking/layout, you typically want FIX. For rough mapping, FLOAT may be acceptable if you validate with checkpoints and don’t oversell the output.

What changes results the most?

• Baseline length: Farther rover-to-station distance reduces how “common” atmospheric errors are; vertical degrades first.
• Environment: Multipath from buildings/metal and partial canopy can break carrier-phase tracking.
• Latency: Old corrections (high latency) make it harder to keep FIX during motion.
• Antenna/mount: A good antenna and clean mounting reduce multipath; a poor mount can ruin RTK even with great corrections.

RTK fix vs float meaning

The rtk fix vs float meaning is simple: your receiver status is a quality flag. Don’t report “RTK” generically—report FIX/FLOAT and estimated accuracy.

Why does RTK lose FIX under trees or near buildings? Because signal blockage and multipath corrupt carrier phase, preventing ambiguity resolution. That’s why the solution drops from FIX to FLOAT (or standalone) even though the rover is still “connected.”

Quick field tip: if FIX drops, pause in open sky to re-initialize; check correction latency and mountpoint. If you’re moving fast (machine control, UAV), correction age matters more than people think.

How RTK works with RTCM

RTK isn’t magic; it’s a clean differential measurement system that lives or dies on observation quality and correct configuration.

A base station is a GNSS receiver at a known coordinate; it measures the difference between what satellites “say” and what it observes, then broadcasts corrections.

“Known coordinate” means the base’s position is surveyed/defined, so its measurement errors can be estimated and shared. A rover on a drone or pole applies those corrections to compute a more accurate real-time position.

Carrier-phase is the real unlock. Carrier-phase measures the phase of the satellite’s radio carrier wave, which has a much shorter wavelength than code—enabling cm-level sensitivity. The catch is the unknown whole-number count of wavelengths between satellite and antenna: the integer ambiguity. RTK uses differential observations and modeling to resolve those integers; once fixed, the solution becomes stable and precise.

RTK corrects common-mode errors well: satellite clock/orbit residuals, ionospheric delay, tropospheric delay (best when the rover is near the station), and other spatially correlated errors. It cannot fully fix severe multipath, heavy canopy/urban canyon blockage, bad antenna placement, or incorrect coordinate/datum settings.

That’s where correction formats and delivery come in:

• RTCM: RTCM is the standard message format used to send GNSS correction data; modern RTK commonly uses RTCM 3.
• NTRIP: NTRIP is a protocol that delivers RTCM corrections over the internet from an NTRIP caster to your rover.
• Mountpoint: A mountpoint is the named correction stream you subscribe to (e.g., a station stream or a network/VRS stream).

NTRIP vs RTK what is the difference? RTK is the positioning method; NTRIP is one common delivery method for the correction messages RTK needs. And if you’re wondering about what is rtcm correction data—it’s those RTCM messages carrying the observations and metadata your rover uses to compute FIX.

One practical line that clears up a lot of sales-page confusion: a GPS with RTK module how it works is straightforward—a GPS with RTK module uses carrier-phase + RTCM corrections to compute FIX.

What is NTRIP in RTK GPS

Your rover acts as an NTRIP client; it logs in with credentials, selects a mountpoint, and receives RTCM messages continuously. If the internet drops, you may fall back from FIX to FLOAT or standalone until corrections return.

If you need deeper setup steps (ports, mountpoints, message sets), keep a bookmark for https://docs.rtkdata.com/.

Choosing RTK, PPK, PPP, DGPS

The best correction method depends less on buzzwords and more on what you need to deliver: real-time vs post, cm vs decimeter, and how ugly the environment is. This is also where rtk gps vs dgps comes up in proposals.

• DGPS/DGNSS: Pick this when you need better-than-meters but don’t need cm—often simpler, more tolerant, but not staking-grade.
• RTK/NRTK: Pick this when you need real-time cm-level output for layout, guidance, or live drone geotagging.
• PPK: Pick this when you need cm-level but can process later—useful when comms are unreliable or you want maximum robustness.
• PPP: Pick this when you can’t access a nearby base/network; expect convergence time and often decimeter-to-centimeter depending on workflow and time.
• SBAS: A broadcast augmentation that improves SPP; useful for navigation but typically not cm-level.

If you’re comparing rtk vs ppk which is better, it’s usually a comms and risk question: RTK is faster in-field; PPK is more forgiving when correction links drop or the site is obstructed. And for rtk vs sbas vs ppp, think of SBAS as “better navigation,” PPP as “no local base but wait for convergence,” and RTK as “cm now, if conditions cooperate.”

• If you need <5 cm and real-time output → choose RTK or network RTK (NRTK).
• If real-time link is unreliable but you can process after → choose PPK (log raw data).
• If you’re remote with no nearby base/network → consider PPP (accept convergence and variable accuracy).
• If meter/sub-meter is enough → use SPP or DGPS/SBAS to reduce cost/complexity.

Three real workflows that show where these choices land:

• Drone mapping: RTK reduces reliance on dense GCPs by improving photo geotags; PPK may be better if the drone frequently loses internet/corrections—still validate with checkpoints.
• Construction layout: RTK is fast for distributed points; for tight tolerances or obstructed sites, total station may be required.
• Precision agriculture: RTK improves repeatability of guidance lines and implement pass-to-pass accuracy, especially season-to-season.

RTK GPS vs total station

An optical instrument measuring angles/distances with line-of-sight; can achieve mm-level relative accuracy. That’s a total station in one sentence.

In rtk gps vs total station terms: RTK provides cm-level absolute positioning without line-of-sight but needs sky view and corrections; total station wins when mm tolerances and controlled local geometry matter. Many crews run both—RTK for production and tie points, total station for the spots you can’t afford to miss.

Getting corrections and troubleshooting

If you’re asking where to get rtcm corrections or how to get rtk corrections in my area, treat it like an operator playbook. The correction source is only one piece; the message set, datum, and comms reliability decide whether you hold FIX.

• Own base station: Best control; works without internet if you use radio; requires setup, power, and known coordinates; practical range depends on baseline length and conditions.
• Network RTK (NRTK): Most convenient for moving between job sites; typically uses NTRIP over cellular; network can provide VRS/FKP/MAC-style streams depending on provider.
• Public/free casters: Can work but reliability, coverage, and message content vary; always verify RTCM message set and datum.

If you operate across multiple regions, a network RTK provider can reduce setup time compared with deploying your own base each site. For example, RTKdata.com offers access to 20,000+ reference stations across 140+ countries via NTRIP, which can simplify getting corrections when you travel or work in different territories.

Baseline guidance matters more than most sales pages admit. If you’re wondering how far can rtk work from base station baseline, a common rule of thumb is aiming for ~10–20 km to the nearest reference for best results; longer baselines can work but usually degrade vertical accuracy first and reduce FIX robustness. Atmospheric errors decorrelate with distance; network modeling helps but doesn’t eliminate site multipath.

Comms options (and what breaks):

• Cellular hotspot: Common for NTRIP; watch latency and dead zones that spike correction age.
• Radio: Good when you control base/rover; no internet required but limited range and needs clear path.
• When you lose link: Pause, move to open sky, confirm credentials/mountpoint, and check correction age/latency on the receiver.

Buyer tip for UAV teams: when evaluating the best rtk correction service for drones, don’t just compare coverage maps. Ask what RTCM 3 messages are delivered, what the typical latency looks like, and whether the mountpoints are station streams or network/VRS solutions.

And yes, ntrip corrections are only as good as the stream you subscribe to and the frame you output.

Checklist before blaming corrections

• Status: Verify FIX vs FLOAT and compare reported estimated accuracy to your tolerance.
• Antenna: Ensure it’s level and away from metal; bad ground planes and brackets create multipath.
• Heights: Confirm correct datum/geoid vs ellipsoidal height settings for your deliverables.
• Messages: Confirm your receiver is outputting/consuming RTCM 3 appropriately.

If it says RTK but accuracy is bad: it may be FLOAT, multipath, wrong mountpoint type, or a coordinate frame mismatch.

Conclusion

“Standard GPS” usually means uncorrected GNSS/SPP, which is commonly meter-level and can drift in real environments. RTK is a carrier-phase differential technique; with an RTK FIX and good conditions it can deliver centimeter-level accuracy, but it can fail under multipath, blockage, long baselines, or high latency. That’s the practical bottom line of RTK vs GPS in production work.

Choosing the right workflow (RTK/NRTK vs PPK vs PPP vs DGPS) depends on whether you need real time, your comms reliability, and how close you are to a reference station. If your work spans multiple territories, RTKdata.com provides NTRIP access to 20,000+ reference stations across 140+ countries, which can simplify finding a nearby correction stream for each job site.

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