# SkyeBrowse vs Pix4D (2026): Drone Video to 3D Compared > Pix4Dmapper and PIX4Dmatic process still images into survey deliverables. Pick SkyeBrowse when the scene is captured as video and the answer is needed in minutes. Source: https://www.skyebrowse.com/compare/pix4d Comparison ยท Photogrammetry software # SkyeBrowse vs Pix4D The short answer SkyeBrowse is the better fit for public safety teams that need a measurable 3D scene from drone video in minutes, in a browser, with CJIS compliance. Pix4D fits survey and mapping teams that already capture overlapping still images and want a dedicated photogrammetry and LiDAR workstation product. Last checked October 13, 2026. ## SkyeBrowse vs Pix4D at a glance Checked October 13, 2026. Competitor facts come from the linked vendor pages; rows without a public vendor source are left out. | Category | SkyeBrowse | Pix4D | | --- | --- | --- | | 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. | Processes images into orthomosaics, point clouds, 2D maps, and 3D models. PIX4Dmatic also combines photogrammetry with terrestrial LiDAR. [Source: pix4d.com pricing](https://www.pix4d.com/pricing/) | Published pricing | Freemium is free. Commercial model $24.99, Pro model $49.99, Public Safety & Enterprise $199 per model per year. No seat fees. | PIX4Dmatic starts from USD 125 per month. PIX4Dmapper starts from USD 333 per month. [Source: pix4d.com pricing](https://www.pix4d.com/pricing/) | 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. | PIX4Dmatic lists LAS and LAZ point clouds, GeoTIFF orthomosaics, OBJ and SLPK meshes, and DXF and LandXML terrain outputs. [Source: PIX4Dmatic product page](https://www.pix4d.com/product/pix4dmatic/) Vendor pricing and features change often. Confirm current terms with Pix4D before you buy. ## Who should pick which ### Pick SkyeBrowse if - Your crews already fly video, or fly manually under pressure at an incident. - You want results in minutes from the cloud, without a processing workstation. - You need CJIS compliance, chain of custody, and unlimited users on one agency plan. - You want court-ready factual diagrams, Line of Sight, and Crush & Claims Analysis on the same model. ### Pick Pix4D if - Your workflow is built on planned still-image survey missions. - You need terrestrial LiDAR and photogrammetry processed together in one product. - Your deliverables are survey terrain products such as LandXML. ## Switching from Pix4D Pix4D projects are built from still images, and SkyeBrowse builds models from video. Teams switching keep their exported Pix4D deliverables and start new scenes from a video pass. - 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](https://www.skyebrowse.com/supported-drones) and see plan details on the [pricing page](https://www.skyebrowse.com/pricing) . ## 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](https://www.skyebrowse.com/whitepaper) . ## SkyeBrowse vs Pix4D FAQ ### Is SkyeBrowse a Pix4D alternative for crash and crime scenes? Yes. SkyeBrowse turns one continuous drone or phone video into a measurable 3D model and orthomosaic in minutes, with survey-grade accuracy without ground control points and 0.1 inch accuracy on Public Safety & Enterprise. It runs in the browser, so there is no workstation to maintain. ### Can I open my Pix4D project in SkyeBrowse? No. SkyeBrowse processes video only. You can upload any MP4 or MOV flight you already have, and Pro and Public Safety & Enterprise models can import a GLB or STL mesh as a layer. ### 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 - [All drone mapping software comparisons](https://www.skyebrowse.com/compare) ### 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. [Start for free](https://app.skyebrowse.com/register) [Request a quote](https://www.skyebrowse.com/quote)