Propeller
Propeller is a cloud worksite intelligence platform that stitches drone photogrammetry, GNSS and conventional survey inputs, CAD and BIM design overlays, and optional machine telematics into one shared map for volume checks, progress tracking, and field-to-office collaboration on construction, mining, and civil earthworks projects.
Earthmoving and civil jobs still live or die on whether everyone agrees what the pad looked like last Tuesday. Propeller answers that with a browser-based map hub: upload flights or surfaces, run survey-grade processing paths the vendor groups under Propeller PPK and photogrammetry, then measure stockpiles, cross sections, and elevation deltas against prior captures or design surfaces. AeroPoints and DirtMate extend the same ecosystem with ground control and machine guidance so the map does not stop at the drone vendor you flew last week.
Design context arrives as overlays rather than a separate silo. The platform page lists imports such as IFC, LandXML, DXF, PDF, GeoTIFF, LAS or LAZ, and KML or KMZ, which lets engineers park grading TINs or plan sheets next to orthophotos and timeline views. Integrations named on the same page include Trimble Connect, Procore, Autodesk Build, BIM 360, Aconex, OneDrive, and HCSS, so the map can sit beside contracts and submittals workflows teams already run.
A survey firm testimonial on the public site quotes alignment within two hundredths of a foot against an independent lidar check after using Propeller with AeroPoints (Propeller Aero, 2026). Larger programs can use Propeller Scale for private workspaces, a web map tile service for GIS clients, and a read-only public API for scripted pulls into CAD or GIS. Standard list pricing is not published on the pages checked here, so treat commercial terms as sales or partner led and confirm any free trial limits on the live site.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Single map for capture, CAD or BIM overlays, and optional live machine feeds
- Broad format and integration list including IFC and major construction clouds
- Hardware-agnostic inputs from drones, rovers, scanners, or uploaded surfaces
- Scale tier adds API, WMTS, and tighter enterprise governance
Cons
- No public price grid on the marketing pages reviewed here
- Heavy reliance on upload bandwidth and disciplined capture metadata for large sites
- Full value needs organizational buy-in so surveys and designs land in one workspace
Key features
Unified site map: Merges drone orthophotos, terrain models, point clouds, and design layers in one cloud workspace with 3D and 2D viewing, timelines, and composite surveys.
Measurement toolkit: Distance, elevation, cross sections, surface area, stockpile volumes, and shrink or swell adjustments for haul planning.
Design and survey imports: Supports IFC, LandXML, DXF, PDF, GeoTIFF, LAS or LAZ, KML or KMZ, XML, TTM, and common imagery types per the integrations list on the platform page.
Processing stack: Propeller PPK, photogrammetry, and LiDAR ingestion paths for survey-grade positioning and dense terrain capture.
Collaboration and docs: Workspaces, permissions, annotations, and daily reporting patterns aimed at replacing scattered PDFs and ad hoc file shares.
Enterprise hooks: Propeller Scale adds controlled workspaces, WMTS orthophoto streaming, and a read-only public API for automated terrain extraction into CAD or GIS.
Pricing
Try for free (marketing)
trial
Free
Homepage shows Try for free; duration, eligibility, and data limits are not spelled out in static copy reviewed here. Confirm on propelleraero.com before relying on trial terms.
Commercial subscription (quote)
Contact sales
Standard subscription pricing is not published on the pages reviewed. Request a Propeller or partner quote; Propeller Scale is positioned as an enterprise tier with extra security and integration features.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Propeller cost per month and is there a free trial?
Propeller does not show a standard per-user price table on the homepage or platform marketing pages reviewed for this listing. The homepage invites visitors to request a demo and includes a try-for-free call to action, which suggests a trial path exists but details belong on the live signup flow. Ask Propeller sales for a written quote and confirm trial length, data caps, and support before you pilot.
Does Propeller run on phones or only desktop browsers?
Marketing copy positions Propeller as a cloud map you open in the office or in the field, with explicit mobile workflow pages for viewing and lightweight tasks from phones or tablets. Heavy model prep may still favor a desktop browser, yet day-to-day progress checks are described as pocket friendly for superintendents and quarry managers.
Can Propeller import IFC or LandXML surfaces for civil grading checks?
Yes. The platform integrations section lists IFC and LandXML among supported design formats, alongside DXF, PDF, TTM, and KML or KMZ. That lets civil and VDC teams hang design surfaces next to drone or rover derived terrain and run elevation comparisons or cross sections without reprojecting files through a second desktop tool.
What workflows does Propeller support beyond pretty orthophotos?
The vendor groups capabilities into site checks and analytics, volume calculations, progress tracking, machine telematics when DirtMate is used, daily reporting, and collaboration around annotations. Timeline views compare captures through the job, while stockpile and cross section tools target quantity arguments that often slow pay apps on earthworks contracts.
How does Propeller compare to tracking volumes only in a spreadsheet?
Spreadsheets depend on manual point picks and static assumptions, while Propeller keeps each survey tied to georeferenced surfaces so measurements repeat the same way after every flight. One public testimonial cites survey agreement within two hundredths of a foot against an independent lidar dataset when AeroPoints ground control was used (Propeller Aero, 2026), which speaks to traceable accuracy rather than ad hoc grid math.
Which industries does Propeller target out of the box?
Site navigation lists construction, mining, aggregates, waste, transportation, and survey plus engineering alongside shared capabilities such as machine productivity and daily reporting. That span matters because the same volume engine serves quarries and highway jobs alike, with Scale features aimed at multi-site operators.