There is no denying that the number one drone company worldwide is Da-Jing Innovations, more commonly referred to as DJI. With a wide range of professional-quality drones available at reasonable prices, DJI controls more than 90% of the international drone market. However, many consumers have become wary of purchasing DJI drones—whether due to security concerns, budget constraints, or simply wanting to support locally made products. Fortunately, there are thousands of drone manufacturers, with more constantly being established, providing alternatives to those seeking a drone not made by DJI.

Now more than ever, there is a strong push to support domestically made products in the United States. Purchasing products, like drones, that are made in America supports the nation’s economy, creates job opportunities, ensures a high degree of security, promotes innovation, increases independence from foreign suppliers, and even reduces negative environmental impacts by shortening delivery logistics. The United States has over 60 domestic drone manufacturers, the largest of which is Skydio, based in San Mateo, California.

Skydio is actually the second-largest commercial and civilian drone manufacturer globally. One of their most popular models for consumer use is the Skydio X10. This drone is best suited for commercial consumers rather than recreational users. It is compact, easy to use, and has superior autonomous and imaging capabilities. The drone’s features make it an excellent choice for industries such as emergency response, security, construction, and industrial inspections. For more recreational uses, many of which overlap with commercial applications, there are still plenty of options. One such example is the Parrot ANAFI USA.

Parrot ANAFI USA is a subsidiary of France’s Parrot, which is considered a pioneer in the development of wireless products. All Parrot drones are manufactured at the secure NeoTech facility, an electronics manufacturer with several locations worldwide. Parrot drones are made at the Westborough, MA facility, about 45 minutes outside of Boston. Parrot’s drones compete directly with DJI drones in terms of price and capabilities, and are suitable for both recreational and commercial drone pilots. Parrot drones are popular with law enforcement and emergency responders, as well as photography and videography professionals, the surveying and construction industries, and even drone hobbyists.

What makes Parrot particularly appealing is that it is one of the original companies, which now totals 11 drone manufacturers, included on the United States Department of Defense’s (DoD) Blue UAS list. Being on the Blue UAS list means that the drone manufacturer is approved to be fully secure by the DoD, even if the drone is not produced within the United States. This is particularly important for government agencies using drones. Companies on the Blue UAS list, which includes Skydio, primarily focus on military drones or niche industry drones. Parrot stands out as the exception, producing drones that are applicable across a wide range of industries. Other popular American-made drone companies include BRINC, FreeFly, and AgEagle, all of which cater to unique niches within the drone market.

BRINC, based in Seattle, WA, was developed specifically for emergency responders and police after its founder was inspired to improve response times in the wake of the 2017 mass shooting in Las Vegas. BRINC provides complete solution systems for police, fire, and first responders. FreeFly, recently added to the Blue UAS list, is based in Woodinville, WA. The company is best known for supplying Hollywood-approved cinematic drones and heavy-lift drones. The FreeFly Alta X is a heavy-lift drone with a 35-pound cargo capacity, comparable to DJI’s Matrice drones. AgEagle, based in Wichita, KS, makes the eBee X drone, a fixed-wing drone with an impressive 90-minute flight time, ideal for surveying and mapping.

The majority of these drones are designed for commercial enterprises, which means they tend to be on the pricier side. As for dethroning DJI’s hold on the market, it will likely be a tough task for any drone manufacturer to accomplish. While DJI continues to dominate the global drone market, the rise of domestic manufacturers like Skydio, Parrot, and others highlights the growing variety and innovation in the drone industry. Whether you’re a hobbyist, a commercial user, or a government agency, the increasing number of alternatives to DJI gives consumers more choices than ever before.

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