How to make money with a drone? 8 ideas
Making money from a drone is no longer just a dream for enthusiasts - it's a viable way to build a source of income. How to do it? The obvious suggestion is photography, and it dominates this area, but that's not all. Learn our practical ideas on how to make money with a drone, from photography to data analysis to specialized services.
Before you start: paperwork, security and initial investment
How to make money with a drone? Even before finding the answer to this question you need to take care of the three pillars - regulatory compliance, insurance and the right equipment. This is especially important when performing operations that are expected to lead to earnings. It is based on the flight authorization, specific to the class of drone. Devices are classified mainly by weight. Most standard drones are up to 250g, which means you'll need A1/A3 ratings. How to get them? It's pretty easy - just take the free online course and complete the training. For heavier drones, a paid A2 rating is needed (drones up to 4 kg).
For devices over 250 grams (or lighter than 250 grams, but equipped with a camera), you must additionally register as a drone operator. In addition, registration of the drone itself is needed when performing flights covered by the risk assessment. Both markings should be on the device for quick identification.
Moreover, as of November 15, 2025. third party insurance is mandatory for drones weighing more than 250g. Further formal requirements relate to the flights themselves - you should be familiar with topics such as zones with flight restrictions or minimum distances from people and buildings. Once you have gone through the formal requirements, you can get on with completing your flight kit. The drone is, of course, the basis, but that's not all - in addition to it, it's worth equipping yourself with a carry bag, extra batteries and spare propellers. MegaDrone offers.pl you will find all the products you will need to start making money with your drone, including the popular drones DJI, like new DJI Mini 5 Pro.
Detailed information on the required authorizations is available at drones.gov.pl and on the portal of the Civil Aviation Authority (ulc.gov.pl).
How to make money with a drone? First idea: stock photos and videos
With the formal issues behind you, you can move on to earnings ideas. One of the most popular options is selling photography and drone videos. What you will need? First of all, a drone with a powerful camera that will provide high quality images. In addition, you should work on your photographic skills - especially in terms of composition. Knowledge of market trends will also be useful, allowing you to choose which staff will be most profitable.
How to succeed in this field? To begin with, you should prepare a portfolio with a variety of shots. These can include panoramas, close-ups, timelapses or low and high altitude shots. Metadata should also be taken care of - accurate descriptions, tags and locations greatly increase visibility on stock portals. It is also a good idea to sell on several stock platforms and directly to clients (e.g. advertising agencies).
Earnings are very different in this case. Certainly a big downside is the high competition and the need to constantly produce new content. You also need a little luck to get noticed - developing your skills will undoubtedly help with that. However, with the right plan, you can generate revenue for years and, after a while, even earn passive income from the shots you've already taken.
Idea 2: event photography and live coverage
Staying in the thread of photography, it is also worth noting the potential that lies in the implementation of photography at events. Weddings, concerts, sporting events, corporate events - the possibilities are indeed many. While it will take some flexibility and planning, with the right approach, you can expect more stable revenues than with stock photos.
Wanting to move in this direction, it is worth starting with the preparation of an offer. This one, on the other hand, should present m.in. scope of services, shots possible, technical capabilities of the drone and samples of photos and videos. Each time, it will also be necessary to get the organizer's approval and adapt the flight plan to the scenario of the event. In particular, note here the restrictions on flying near people and buildings. If you have more money at your disposal, it's worth considering investing in a drone for live broadcasting - in this case, the margins are highest, but you'll need solid equipment along with a battery backup and a backup drone.
Real estate photography and virtual tours - how to make money with a drone in the real estate market?
The real estate market is also an interesting area for drone operators. Aerial photos and videos can significantly increase the attractiveness of offers for the sale of houses, apartments and land plots. There is also considerable scope here for additional services - such as virtual tours, bird's-eye presentations of plots and their surroundings, generation of site plans. There is also the possibility of establishing permanent contracts with real estate agencies and developers. Robust camera drones with high-resolution cameras will work best for this type of work.
Technical inspections - roofs, facades, installations
It's time to move away from the subject of photography for a while - although this idea, too, involves collecting photographic and video material. Inspections of buildings, chimneys, electrical lines or photovoltaic panels can pay well, but require specialized knowledge and good equipment. A camera with a high zoom is useful here, and for thermal measurements - with thermal imaging. It is also worth taking care of the reporting software. Customers will be m.in. construction companies, property managers, energy companies or insurers. The biggest advantage here is the large rates for a single job, but you have to deal with formal requirements, high safety requirements and the need for specialized knowledge of inspection.
Aerial surveying, photogrammetry and 3D mapping
Drones are also used in surveying and industry. These are the areas in which they are used m.in. for professional mapping of parcels of land, creation of orthophotos or generation of 3D models. How to make money with a drone in this area? Here, knowledge of software - such as Pix4D, Agisoft Metashape or DroneDeploy - will be required to an even greater extent. Knowledge of flight procedures is also needed, including image grid planning, image coverage maintenance and camera calibration. Certifications and cooperation with surveyors will help to increase credibility and attract customers especially at an early stage. It's a segment with a fairly high entry threshold, but with a lot of potential for earnings.
Training and workshops
If you have mastered piloting and have a good understanding of the regulations, the natural path will be training related to drone flight. Both beginners and advanced students can benefit from such suggestions - while courses can include both theory and practice, as well as information on legal requirements. However, it is worth bearing in mind that standard drone flight courses are already quite widely available. Therefore, specialized, thematic workshops - such as aerial photography, terrain mapping or thermal imaging - may work better. It might be a good idea to offer B2B training for companies that want their own operators. This can also be combined with online training in the form of recordings and webinars, which will serve as a passive revenue source.
Content creation - YouTube, social media and working with influencers
Building a brand as a content creator is a long-term investment, but with the help of a drone, you will be able to publish very compelling content. It's a virtually limitless field - from YouTube channels with tutorials and equipment tests, to promoting local services in short forms (TikTok, rollerblading), to working with brands and influencers. Keep in mind that a fair amount of work on your recognition and popularity is needed before you can reach a good earnings ceiling.
Cooperation with the tourism industry
To make money from your drone, you can also offer shoots photo shoots for guesthouses, cottages or agritourism facilities. A good choice would be seasonal packages - pre-season photos with updated offerings every year. By betting on this option, you can also expect to earn by creating promotional materials for offers and websites.
Summary - how to make money with a drone with your head?
As you can see, the opportunities to make money with a drone are indeed many. In addition to the above ideas it is also worth considering drone rental and operator services, thermal imaging or precision agriculture. Drones are finding more and more applications in a variety of industries, which makes it possible to count on further opportunities to make money in the future. However, it is important to be properly prepared - with each of the given forms of income, it will be necessary to meet the formal requirements, purchase the appropriate equipment and polish your skills. The best start with a few simple orders to build a portfolio, and then look for clients. As you develop your contacts and capabilities, you can also gradually expand your offerings to include more options. It's a great idea to combine passion with earnings. If any of the proposals interest you, you can check out the equipment on our website or in other blog posts, and if you need more information, contact us and pass on the mega tips.