DroneDeploy Aerial vs Global Mapper
DroneDeploy Aerial
dronedeploy.comGlobal Mapper
bluemarblegeo.comSide by side
| Figure | DroneDeploy Aerial | Global Mapper |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $159/mo | $49.92/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | — |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 4 | 3 |
| Spec score · GIS Software | 8.5 (#6) | 8.3 (#9) |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | Hallowell, Maine, United States |
| Integrations | The product page names Esri ArcGIS, Procore and Autodesk integrations, plus 40+ other marketplace platforms and an open API. | The product supports data exchange with ArcGIS formats and can export to Avenza Maps for offline field use; MAPublisher provides a workflow with Adobe Illustrator. |
| Purpose | DroneDeploy Aerial lets teams fly drones, capture site data and turn it into automated insights. | Global Mapper is a desktop GIS application for geospatial data processing, spatial analysis, geodetic workflows, and deployment-ready mapping. |
| Security | The product page states data is encrypted in transit with TLS 1.2+ and at rest with AES-256, and reports SOC 2 Type 1 and Type 2 certification and ISO 27001 compliance. | The installation help page states that there are no known security vulnerabilities in the current version of Global Mapper. |
| Support | The Flight & Analysis plan includes email and live chat support; Ag Lite lists email-based support. | Technical support is included with Global Mapper purchase and covers the current software version; the policy lists security patches, bug fixes, feature enhancements, and standard support. |
| Trial | New users can start a 14-day trial without a credit card. | The free trial request requires an email and does not require a credit card; the page does not state a trial duration. |
Plans
DroneDeploy Aerial
- Ag Lite Plan$1,908 a year
- Flight & Analysis Plan$4,188 a year
- Advanced Flight & Analysis PlanPriced on request
- DroneDeploy AerialPriced on request
Global Mapper
- Essentials$599 a year
- Advanced$1,199 a year
- Professional$2,199 a year
In their own words
DroneDeploy Aerial
DroneDeploy Aerial has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.
Global Mapper
Global Mapper is a desktop GIS application for geospatial data processing, spatial analysis, geodetic workflows, and preparing maps for deployment. It supports more than 300 vector, raster, elevation, and point cloud formats without add-ons or additional licenses. The Essentials plan covers data viewing and conversion, coordinate transformation and reprojection, and streamed online data sources. Advanced adds terrain and vector analysis, scripting, geodetic analysis, and cartographic production. Professional adds lidar and point cloud processing, drone photogrammetry, complex imagery and raster analysis, automated breakline extraction, and AI/ML image classification. Lidar tools include feature classification, noise removal, point cloud thinning, and vector feature extraction. GeoCalc provides more than 12,000 geodetic definitions and supports modernized NSRS and CSRS. AI-assisted extraction can identify roads, buildings, vegetation, power lines, and other features. It exchanges data with ArcGIS formats, exports to Avenza Maps for offline field use, and supports a workflow with MAPublisher and Adobe Illustrator. Plans start at $599/user/yr; a 14-day trial is listed.