Comparison · Open-source photogrammetry
SkyeBrowse vs WebODM and OpenDroneMap
The short answer
SkyeBrowse is the better fit for agencies that need survey-grade scenes from video without ground control points, with CJIS-compliant hosting and vendor support. WebODM fits technical teams that want open-source photogrammetry from still images and are comfortable running or tuning it themselves.
Last checked October 13, 2026.
SkyeBrowse vs WebODM and OpenDroneMap at a glance
| Category | SkyeBrowse | WebODM and OpenDroneMap |
|---|---|---|
| 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. | WebODM Lightning processes up to 3,000 images per task. Source: webodm.net |
| 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. | WebODM Lightning is hosted: no need to download or install software. Source: webodm.net |
| Accuracy and ground control | 0.1 inch on Public Safety & Enterprise, survey-grade and court-admissible without ground control points. 0.5 inch on Commercial and Pro models with 8K processing. | Highly recommends ground control points if your images are not georeferenced. Source: WebODM docs |
| Published pricing | Freemium is free. Commercial model $24.99, Pro model $49.99, Public Safety & Enterprise $199 per model per year. No seat fees. | Credit-based. New users get 150 free credits. Source: webodm.net |
| Exports and integrations | LAZ, GLB, OBJ, USDZ, GeoTIFF, and CAD (DXF or GeoJSON) on Pro and Public Safety & Enterprise models. Axon Evidence.com integration on Public Safety & Enterprise. | Orthomosaics, DSM and DTM elevation models, textured 3D models, point clouds, and Gaussian splats. Source: webodm.net |
Vendor pricing and features change often. Confirm current terms with OpenDroneMap before you buy.
Who should pick which
Pick SkyeBrowse if
- You want to upload a video and get a measurable model in minutes.
- You need CJIS compliance and chain of custody for evidence.
- You want public safety tools and vendor support instead of maintaining software.
Pick WebODM and OpenDroneMap if
- You want open-source software you can self-host and modify.
- You need DTM generation inside the processing tool.
Switching from WebODM and OpenDroneMap
WebODM tasks are built from still images and stay in WebODM. SkyeBrowse produces a DSM, so if you rely on WebODM for DTMs, export LAZ from SkyeBrowse and classify ground in your existing tool.
- 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 WebODM and OpenDroneMap FAQ
Is SkyeBrowse free like WebODM?
SkyeBrowse Freemium is free, with unlimited uploads, 2 concurrent models, a 30-day archive, and basic tools. Paid models add exports and higher accuracy: Commercial $24.99, Pro $49.99, and Public Safety & Enterprise $199 per model per year.
Does SkyeBrowse create DTMs like OpenDroneMap?
No. SkyeBrowse creates DSMs. Export the LAZ point cloud for DTM creation in third-party software.
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.
