Airpelago vs Katapult Pro: Complete Comparison (2026)

Why choose Airpelago

• Higher Security score (6/10 vs 5/10)
• Better fit for energy companies (8/10 vs 6/10)

Why choose Katapult Pro

• Higher Analytics score (6/10 vs 4/10)
• Higher Customization score (7/10 vs 5/10)

Airpelago

Pros

• Builds flight plans for large power line projects automatically from geo-data exported from the utility's network system.
• Works with common off-the-shelf DJI drones and payloads, including the Zenmuse L2 for LiDAR.
• Large utilities such as E.ON, Vattenfall and Svensk Kraftnät are named as clients.
• Available either as a full inspection service or as software for in-house drone teams.

Cons

• No public pricing.
• Defect analysis depends on third-party analysis partners.
• Too few independent user reviews to verify the vendor's claims.
• Covers only linear-infrastructure inspection, with no maintenance or work order management.

Katapult Pro

Pros

• Pricing is published, contracts are month to month, and there is no cancellation penalty, which is rare among pole engineering tools.
• Read-only users are free, so stakeholders can review data without paying for a license.
• Field crews can collect pole photos and heights without entering the power space, and photos are matched to poles automatically.
• Clearance violation detection and pole loading are built in, with SPIDAcalc export included.
• Joint use workflows track FCC shot clock deadlines for utilities.

Cons

• O-Calc Pro export costs an extra $231 a month.
• Joint Use Management and Site License pricing are not published.
• The one-time setup fee of $1,815, plus optional equipment the site lists at $3,200 to $3,450, raises the cost of getting started.
• Reviewers say results depend on clean, consistent input data, and clearance checks can feel worksheet-like for edge cases.
• It is focused on pole attachment work and does not offer general CMMS features such as work orders or spare parts.