Comparison · Mapping software for DJI aircraft
SkyeBrowse vs DJI Terra
The short answer
SkyeBrowse is the better fit for agencies that fly mixed fleets or capture with phones and body worn cameras, and want a measurable scene from video in minutes with CJIS-compliant cloud storage. DJI Terra fits survey teams processing DJI imagery and DJI LiDAR data.
Last checked October 13, 2026.
SkyeBrowse vs DJI Terra at a glance
| Category | SkyeBrowse | DJI Terra |
|---|---|---|
| What you capture | One continuous video (MP4, MOV, INSV, or OSV) from any drone, phone, 360 camera, or body worn camera. Photos attach to a model as annotations. | 2D and 3D reconstruction from visible light imagery, and processing of data collected by DJI LiDAR. Source: DJI Terra product page |
| Where it runs | 100% cloud, in the browser at app.skyebrowse.com. The SkyeBrowse Flight App automates Orbit and WideBrowse grid flights on supported DJI and Autel drones. | Requires the latest version of DJI Terra and an internet connection to use the software. Source: DJI Terra product page |
| Published pricing | Freemium is free. Commercial model $24.99, Pro model $49.99, Public Safety & Enterprise $199 per model per year. No seat fees. | Standard and Flagship versions are ordered through official DJI dealers. No price is listed on the product page. Source: DJI Terra product page |
Vendor pricing and features change often. Confirm current terms with DJI before you buy.
Who should pick which
Pick SkyeBrowse if
- Your fleet includes non-DJI drones, phones, 360 cameras, or body worn cameras.
- You want automated Orbit and WideBrowse flights on DJI enterprise drones such as the Matrice 4E and 4T, M30, and M300 or M350.
- You need CJIS compliance, chain of custody, and court-ready diagrams.
Pick DJI Terra if
- You process DJI LiDAR payload data.
- You buy software through your DJI dealer alongside aircraft.
Switching from DJI Terra
DJI drones work with SkyeBrowse two ways: the SkyeBrowse Flight App automates capture on supported DJI aircraft and controllers, and Universal Upload accepts the MP4 or MOV from any DJI flight. Upload the .SRT subtitle file with the video to georeference the model.
- Create a free account at app.skyebrowse.com and use Universal Upload for any MP4, MOV, INSV, or OSV file you already have, including archived drone flights, phone video, and 360 footage.
- Upload the drone's GPS subtitle file (.SRT for DJI, .ASS for Autel) with the video to georeference the model. Video without GPS can be scaled with the Scale tool against a known measurement.
- Upload limits: 2GB per file on Freemium, up to 3 videos of 10GB each on Commercial and Pro, and up to 10 videos of 100GB each on Public Safety & Enterprise.
- SkyeBrowse builds models from video only, so photo-only datasets stay in the tool that made them. Existing meshes saved as GLB or STL can be imported as layers inside a SkyeBrowse model on Pro (3 layers) and Public Safety & Enterprise (5 layers).
- Keep your downstream software: export LAZ point clouds, GLB, OBJ, USDZ, GeoTIFF, and DXF or GeoJSON CAD files into GIS, CAD, and forensics tools. SkyeBrowse produces a DSM, so DTM ground classification still happens in third-party software on the exported LAZ.
- Agencies can apply for the Pilot Program, about two weeks of Public Safety & Enterprise access, to run real scenes side by side before buying. Eligible free accounts can process their first full Commercial model for $5.
Check your aircraft and controller on the supported drones list and see plan details on the pricing page.
Do still photos beat video for 3D mapping?
A common claim is that still photos always produce better 3D models than video. Here is what the validation behind SkyeBrowse videogrammetry shows.
- Photogrammetry uses hundreds or thousands of overlapping still photos. Capture is slower, processing takes hours or days, and survey-grade results usually depend on ground control points, a trained specialist, and post-processing.
- SkyeBrowse videogrammetry uses the frames of one continuous video. It delivers laser-scanner-level accuracy: in an independent QC study by AirBorne Works, SkyeBrowse video models came closest to Leica BLK360 laser-scan ground truth on 8 of 9 measurements, outperforming photo-based Pix4D Mapper and Leica BLK3D. Results are survey-grade and court-admissible without ground control points.
- Cloud processing runs about one minute per minute of video, so a scene flown at the incident can be measured before the road reopens.
Read the method and results in the independent accuracy study.
SkyeBrowse vs DJI Terra FAQ
Does SkyeBrowse work with DJI drones?
Yes. The SkyeBrowse Flight App fully supports DJI aircraft such as the Matrice 4E and 4T, Matrice 400, M30 and M30T, M300 and M350, and Mavic 3 Enterprise with the DJI RC Pro. Any DJI video can also be uploaded through Universal Upload. Check the supported drones list for your controller.
Can SkyeBrowse process DJI LiDAR data?
No. SkyeBrowse builds models from video. LiDAR projects stay in the software that processes them.
Do still photos beat video for drone mapping accuracy?
No. In an independent QC study by AirBorne Works, SkyeBrowse video models came closest to Leica BLK360 laser-scan ground truth on 8 of 9 measurements, outperforming photo-based Pix4D Mapper and Leica BLK3D. SkyeBrowse reaches survey-grade, court-admissible results without ground control points. Photo-based workflows usually need ground control points, a specialist, and hours of processing to reach survey grade.
More comparisons
Map your first site today
Create a free account, upload one drone or phone video, and open a measurable 3D model in minutes. Agencies that need CJIS compliance and 0.1 inch accuracy can request a quote for Public Safety & Enterprise.
