# SkyeBrowse vs WebODM and OpenDroneMap (2026): Drone Video to 3D Compared > WebODM is the open-source OpenDroneMap interface, self-hosted or as the WebODM Lightning cloud. Pick SkyeBrowse when you need video input, CJIS hosting, and support. Source: https://www.skyebrowse.com/compare/webodm Comparison ยท 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 Checked October 13, 2026. Competitor facts come from the linked vendor pages; rows without a public vendor source are left out. | 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](https://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](https://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](https://docs.webodm.net/) | 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](https://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](https://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](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 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 - [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)