The Best Drone Apps of 2025 (Flight Planning, Mapping, DJI & More)

This guide explores the best drone apps you can use in 2025.

With drones easier to operate and more affordable than ever, there’s a wealth of app options to enhance the flying experience.

Covering everything from weather reporting to flight path planning and sun tracking, these apps are essential for optimizing drone footage.

In this guide, we’ll cover the best general-purpose drone apps, as well as a dedicated section for drone mapping and DJI-specific applications.

What Are the Best Drone Apps in 2025?

Flying drones has become highly popular, thanks to the rise of accessible drones that can be flown without specialist experience.

Facilitating this sense of accessibility is a selection of impressive drone-based apps that can help newcomers and seasoned operators alike.

Whether it’s outlining up-to-date airspace restrictions for larger drones or basic weather information, these apps can form the core of drone operators’ workflows.

They’re also vital for planning videography and photography, as well as selecting the best time of day and angles to approach the subject.

Let’s delve into the best drone apps in more detail, starting with a dedicated app that informs drone operators of hyperlocal weather conditions.

UAV Forecast

Monitoring weather conditions and forecasts is a core element of drone operation, and UAV Forecast delivers a refined approach with extensive data.

The app provides detailed hyperlocal weather information, with drone-centric data collected for pilots to assess.

In the app, you can find wind speeds and directions, along with gusts and cloud cover data. It’s all presented in a color-coded system, making it easy to use.

There’s a wealth of customization settings to configure, including flight thresholds and additional GPS and solar data.

If you’re looking for something less complicated, consider AURA: Smart Weather for Drone or the Windy weather app, available for iPhone and Android.

Autopylot

Another excellent drone planning application used by professional drone pilots is Autopylot, a popular alternative to B4UFLY.

With Federal Aviation Administration approval, it delivers accurate airspace awareness data for operating larger drones.

Temporary Flight Restrictions are included for restricted areas, allowing for refined mission planning without violating airspace.

The app also includes comprehensive checklists for planning, executing, and analyzing flights while also enhancing safety.

Additional features available in Autopylot include LAANC authorization for low-altitude flights and a range of essential weather tools.

OpenSky

Drone pilots in the United States and Australia can access a wealth of data through OpenSky to assist with planning and performing flights.

It presents clear, map-based guidance incorporating Google Maps, paired with information on local aviation rules and regulations.

Users can request authorization from the relevant governing bodies in real time, for instance, using the US Low Altitude Authorization Notification Capability.

Flight hazards and sensitive locations are also identified, while flight logs and planning tools provide a detailed record for projects.

While OpenShy has some limitations for professional users, such as insufficient real-time map information, recreational pilots have plenty of valuable resources.

Terrain Radar Altimeter

Not every drone operator requires pro-level features and access to safety-critical tools; the Terrain Radar Altimeter is more suitable for hobbyist drone pilots.

With an emphasis on measuring terrain, it’s an excellent app for flight planning with consumer-level drones in topographically challenging locations.

This beginner-friendly design is evident in the app’s approachable interface, particularly the pointing feature that displays elevations in local terrain.

As such, the app’s value extends beyond drone piloting, with applications for hiking, cycling, and other outdoor activities.

If you’re a casual drone operator primarily flying off the beaten path and don’t require certified airspace information, Terrain Radar Altimeter covers the basics.

AirData UAV

AirData UAV is a dependable companion for pilots who want clear, no-fuss insight into their drone’s performance.

It automatically syncs your flight logs and turns them into simple, readable metrics – battery health, GPS strength, and potential issues included.

The interface is clean and direct, making it easy for beginners while still useful for seasoned flyers.

With safety alerts, maintenance reminders, and environmental checks, it keeps you ahead of problems.

If you want quick, reliable oversight without pro-level complexity, AirData UAV is worth checking out.

Windy

If you’re a drone pilot specializing in water-based sports coverage, Windy’s emphasis on data for tides and waves makes it a compelling option to consider.

Drawing on data from various global models, it accesses ECMWF and GFS data to combine different forecasts when planning a shoot.

Users can access detailed forecasts for specific locations, using tidal and wave forecasts used by surfers and sailors.

This information can then be used when planning routes, using the app’s interactive weather map to streamline the process.

Sun Surveyor

While drone operators need to verify the weather conditions and airspace before filming, understanding lighting conditions is also essential for high-quality footage.

That’s where the Sun Surveyor app comes into play, providing information on sun and moon activities to aid in planning a session.

Sun and moon paths are plotted for trajectories, with a striking augmented reality overlay to assist with visualization.

The app includes information on golden hour and blue hour to optimize footage, as well as additional photography and videography tools.

There’s even data on Milky Way patterns for astrophotography, outlining its azimuth and altitude for nighttime drone activities.

Best Drone Mapping Apps

Drone mapping is a core aspect of aerial data collection, whether building 2D maps or creating detailed 3D models for clients.

Such apps combine a variety of features, from automated flight planning to data capture, often with cloud-based collaboration tools.

If you’re looking for the best drone mapping apps for your next project, here are our top recommendations in this category.

Agisoft Metashape

One of the most flexible and robust photogrammetry apps on the market is Agisoft Metashape, designed for professionals looking for high accuracy.

The app enables extensive customization through its integrated Python scripting, facilitating efficient management of large datasets.

While Agisoft Metashape delivers an impressive feature set, it does so through an easy-to-use interface that facilitates the learning process.

It supports multiple image formats and includes auto-calibration for different drone cameras, making it a well-rounded choice for serious drone operators.

Map Pilot Pro

Like Agisoft Metashape, Map Pilot Pro has been designed primarily with professionals in mind, with a focus on DJI drone users.

Through its user-friendly interface, operators can plan flights with terrain awareness for consistent and high-quality results.

This results in highly detailed 3D terrain models with Ground Control Point support, delivering accuracy down to the centimeter.

There’s also multi-drone coordination for larger projects, with the option to import custom base maps to further streamline workflows.

WebODM

The open-source drone mapping app WebODM may not be the most approachable for newcomers – but it does offer impressive tools for experienced operators.

There are multiple mapping outputs for generating orthophotos, georeferenced maps, and digital elevation models across flightpaths.

It also features a flexible and customizable interface, allowing the program to run on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Due to the open-source nature of WebODM, professionals can refine the platform across multiple factors for a truly bespoke user experience.

Propeller Aeropoints

Propeller Aeropoints strikes the perfect balance between accessibility and functionality when creating surveys for sites and earthworks verification.

With highly accurate results and integration into CAD designs, it’s one of the go-to apps for professionals operating drones in this niche.

There’s extensive reporting and data collection, ranging from elevation color maps to stockpile volumes, when collaborating with clients.

Users can also share data with field teams, such as DXF files and design plans, allowing for real-time collaboration and problem-solving.

Best DJI Drone Apps

DJI has dominated the consumer drone market, offering a series of affordable and approachable models to choose from.

If you’ve invested in one of DJI’s many excellent drones, these apps are essential resources for planning, performing, and post-production.

Dronelink

One of the most advanced DJI drone apps on the market is Dronelink, with a wealth of additional features compared to apps like Litchi.

Such features include unlimited waypoints for splitting missions, 3D mission previews, and a range of powerful automation tools.

There’s also advanced mapping for multiple industries, with data points for orthomosaics, point clouds, and additional parameters.

While Dronelink’s steep learning curve may deter newcomers to drone piloting, experienced operators will find numerous useful features for their projects.

DJI Fly

If you’re looking for a more streamlined and intuitive DJI drone app, DJI Fly offers a user-friendly approach to planning and initiating flights.

You’ll find plenty of built-in shooting tools to fine-tune angles and gimbal control, which makes it a great fit for casual creators.

That includes cinematic Quick Shots for polished footage, plus subject tracking to make flying easier for beginners.

Add in real-time weather updates and flight restriction alerts, and DJI Fly gives you all the essentials for safe, smooth drone operation.

DJI Go 4

Many DJI drone owners are still using older models, which require the original DJI Go app when planning flight routes.

DJI Go 4’s limited compatibility may be an issue for some, but those using the Phantom 4 or Mavic series will appreciate the features included here.

It offers the ActiveTrack tool for automatically following subjects, with a built-in video editor for finalizing video content.

There’s also a range of flight management features, including battery status data and the ability to set Return to Home points with ease.

Where to Download DJI Apps If You’re Using Android

 

If you’re invested in DJI’s drone ecosystem, you’ll need to visit the official DJI Download Center to acquire authorised applications.

Many of these DJI apps are not available through the Google Play Store, so you must download the APK from the brand’s website.

If you receive a warning on your device concerning unknown sources, you can enable the install option in your device’s settings.

Honorable Mentions

You don’t need to use a dedicated drone-based app to gain insights into weather patterns and optimal times for capturing drone footage.

Here are a couple of alternatives that drone pilots can use to gather data when planning and executing their next project.

Google Earth

Google Earth packs an extensive range of features, and drone planning is just one of the many ways you can use it.

Its 3D viewing tools help with pre-flight planning by spotting obstacles, while Street View makes it easy to check out potential launch points.

You can also import KML files from past flights, making the planning process even smoother.

PhotoPills

Like Google Earth, the PhotoPills app isn’t specifically designed for drone operation, but it nevertheless includes some powerful tools.

The most obvious tool is the dedicated “drone mode,” which includes a planner feature and simulation of a drone’s field of view.

Once activated, PhotoPills can be used to adjust focal lengths and preview how the frame changes as you zoom, allowing you to visualize your compositions.

We’ve got a detailed review of PhotoPills here, so check that out to find out more.