We've recently started using ArcGIS Drone2Map and wanted to share some early observations, and hear how others in the community have experienced it.
For context, our team has worked across a wide range of photogrammetry software in the drone industry, so we're approaching Drone2Map with a fair amount of comparative experience.
What works well
The integration with the Esri ecosystem is the clear strength. Publishing directly into ArcGIS Online is smoother than any other engine we've tested, and for teams already invested in ArcGIS, that workflow alone makes Drone2Map worth a serious look.
Where it falls short
The image count cap is the issue. It is not an engine limitation. Drone2Map and ArcGIS Reality run the same underlying photogrammetry engine, which means the cap is a deliberate product-tier decision rather than a technical one. Any real-world project of meaningful size has to step up to Reality in order to be processed. It is upsell gating presented as a technical constraint, and it undercuts what is otherwise very capable software.
Drone 2Map
https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-reality/products/arcgis-drone2map
here are the exact specific quotes from ESRI's documentation in terms of image limits — take a look:
"Drone2Map projects have an individual image limit of 75 megapixels. Combined project imagery size is limited to 100 gigapixels on a standard license and 300 gigapixels on an advanced license. For larger image volumes, contact your Esri account representative."
And if you surpass this limit, you have to purchase ArcGIS Reality Studio. Guess how much it costs — are you ready? $20,000 USD.
Here's the link : https://www.esri.com/en-us/arcgis/products/arcgis-reality/overview