About
DJI Mapper is a free, open-source mission planning tool designed for drone pilots and survey professionals who use DJI hardware. Built with Flutter for true cross-platform support, it runs natively on Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and in the browser as a web app. Users draw a polygon over their target area on an interactive map, configure mission parameters such as flight altitude, camera overlap percentage, flight speed, and angle, and DJI Mapper automatically calculates and generates the optimal waypoint grid for complete area coverage. The generated missions can be exported in formats compatible with DJI Fly and Litchi, two of the most popular DJI drone control applications. This makes it ideal for aerial surveying, photogrammetry data collection, 3D mapping, agricultural analysis, construction site monitoring, and inspection workflows. The tool requires no subscription or account — it is entirely self-hostable via Docker or runnable as a standalone desktop or mobile app. Its clean, minimal interface makes mission planning accessible even for operators without GIS expertise, while the customizable parameters satisfy the needs of professional survey teams. Being MIT-licensed, developers can also fork and extend it to fit specialized workflows.
Key Features
- Automatic Waypoint Grid Generation: Draw a polygon over any area on the map and DJI Mapper instantly calculates an optimal lawnmower-pattern waypoint grid ensuring complete coverage.
- DJI Fly & Litchi Export: Exports missions in formats directly compatible with DJI Fly and Litchi, allowing seamless upload to your drone controller.
- Customizable Mission Parameters: Fine-tune flight altitude, forward and side image overlap, flight speed, gimbal angle, and heading to match your survey requirements.
- True Cross-Platform Support: Runs natively on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android, plus a web version — no installation required for browser-based use.
- Self-Hostable via Docker: Includes a Dockerfile and docker-compose setup so teams can self-host the web version on their own infrastructure without any external dependencies.
Use Cases
- Aerial photogrammetry and 3D terrain model generation over a defined area using a DJI drone
- Agricultural field mapping and crop health monitoring by generating systematic coverage flight paths
- Construction site progress documentation through regular automated survey flights
- Infrastructure and land inspection planning with repeatable, precise waypoint missions
- Geographic survey data collection for mapping, urban planning, or environmental monitoring projects
Pros
- Completely Free & Open Source: MIT-licensed with no subscriptions, accounts, or paywalls — full access to all features at zero cost.
- Broad Platform Coverage: Works on virtually every major platform including Android tablets popular with field drone operators, as well as desktop OS and web.
- Simple, Accessible Interface: Minimal clicks needed to create a mission, making it approachable for operators without deep GIS or technical expertise.
- Docker & Self-Hosting Ready: Enterprise and team deployments can self-host the web app easily using the provided Docker configuration.
Cons
- DJI Ecosystem Only: Currently supports only DJI Fly and Litchi export formats, so pilots using other brands or apps (e.g., ArduPilot, Autel) cannot use it directly.
- Community-Maintained Project: As an open-source project maintained by a single developer, updates and bug fixes depend on community contributions and may be infrequent.
- Limited Advanced GIS Features: Lacks advanced survey planning features found in commercial tools such as terrain-following flight paths, corridor mapping, or obstacle avoidance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drone apps does DJI Mapper support?
DJI Mapper exports missions compatible with DJI Fly and Litchi, two of the most widely used DJI drone control applications.
Is DJI Mapper free to use?
Yes. DJI Mapper is completely free and open source under the MIT license. There are no subscriptions, accounts, or hidden fees.
What platforms does DJI Mapper run on?
DJI Mapper runs on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android as a native app, and also as a web application accessible from any modern browser.
Can I self-host DJI Mapper?
Yes. The repository includes a Dockerfile and docker-compose configuration so you can self-host the web version on your own server.
What types of missions can DJI Mapper plan?
DJI Mapper is designed for area survey and photogrammetry missions. You define a polygon area, set altitude and overlap parameters, and it generates a complete waypoint grid for systematic image capture.
