Best DJI Alternatives – Which Drones Can Compete With DJI?

Although DJI is the industry leader when it comes to consumer drones, not everyone wants to buy a DJI drone, and there are many reasons for that. 

You’d be surprised how other companies have managed to technologically advance their own drones with unique features that make them stand out.

So, which drones worthy competitors to those that DJI offers?

The Holy Stone HS720E, Potensic Atom SE, Autel EVO Nano Plus, and Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 are fantastic alternatives to equivalent-priced DJI drones. These drones also offer unique extras not found in DJI drones.

The list is a bit more complex than what we wrote above, so join me as I dig in to the available alternatives to DJI, and some features that might surprise you.

Why an alternative to DJI?

Although DJI is known worldwide for its fantastic drones with good stabilization and flight range (not to mention tremendous cameras), that shouldn’t be your only consideration when buying a drone.

You need to consider the provenance of your purchase, and whether you support the company that is offering the product you want to buy. For some, supporting a company in their own nation is paramount to other considerations.

Also, you may have specialized requirements that are better fulfilled by a drone than those offered by DJI. Despite DJI’s wide appeal, some other manufacturers offer drones that are more suited to certain tasks.

Finally, it may be a budget consideration. DJI drones are high-quality, but that also means they come with a high price tag. Some other manufacturers have drones on offer with similar features but at a lower cost, which may be the deciding factor for many.

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• 9 Most Common Problems with DJI Mini 3 (Must-Read)

Is DJI leading the drone market?

DJI remains the leading drone company.

This will possibly change in the future, especially if the US decides to ban DJI and Autel drones.

But we’ll wait and see if this decision could have such a significant impact that it will take down DJI from its leading place in the drone market.

Which company could replace DJI?

Autel has a strong reputation for producing high-quality drones, from budget to professional and commercial use. However, it’s in the same boat as DJI in that its drones could also get banned in the US.

Holy Stone and Potensic are also known for their budget and entry-level drones, which have won the hearts of many new drone pilots.

Many other companies are known to produce drones, but none are very reputable and far down the ladder compared to DJI.

» MORE: List of DJI Drones with Remote ID (2023)

Which drones are comparable to DJI drones?

Let’s go over some drones that offer viable and satisfactory alternatives to DJI drones.

» MORE: Best Camera Drones Under $2,000

DJI Mini 2 SE vs. Holy Stone HS720E

SPECS	DJI Mini 2 SE	Holy Stone HS720E
Weight	246 g at takeoff	495 g
Size	138×81×58 mm folded, without propellers	177x104x58 mm folded
Flight Time	Max 31 mins	23 mins per battery pack (min 2 batteries)
Flight Range	Max transmission distance of 9.75 mi	0.62 mi flight distance
Camera	1/2.3-inch CMOS. Can film in 2.7k at 30 fps and photograph in 12 MP resolution	4K EIS Anti-Shake Sony Sensor Camera that can film in 4k at 30 frames per second
Obstacle Avoidance	None	None
Follow-me Mode	No	Yes
Other Perks	Three-axis mechanical gimbal, several Intelligent Flight Modes	Tap Fly, several intelligent features
Bundle	DJI Mini 2 SE Drone with DJI RC-N1. One battery only.	Holy Stone HS720E drone, two or three batteries, remote controller, carrying case

These two drones are the first to come to mind when acquiring a budget drone capable of decent performance.

The DJI Mini 2 SE is a decent drone, but the Holy Stone HS720E has a fantastic bundle.

A main difference is that the Mini 2 SE is optimized for long-range flights, and the HS720E is not.

Legally speaking, drone laws state that you can fly only in a visual line of sight (VLOS) unless you apply for specific permission. That makes the DJI Mini 2 SE transmission range a bit impractical. 

The HS720E camera can film in 4K, and although it doesn’t have a three-axis mechanical gimbal, the electronic image stabilization is decent enough to offer you smooth footage.

» MORE: Holy Stone HS720E Vs. DJI Mini 2 (Here’s My Choice)

DJI Mini 2 SE 

✅ Pros 

• Good transmission range
• Decent flight time
• Newer drone
• Foldable
• Good stability in high winds
• Three-axis gimbal
• Does not require registration in some countries (sub-250-gram drone)
• Several Intelligent Flight Modes

❌ Cons

• Can film only in 2.7k at 30 frames per second
• The CMOS sensor is small compared to other drones
• Can photograph in 12MP resolution
• No obstacle avoidance sensors
• No Active Track or follow-me mode
• It has a few bugs with the intelligent features

The DJI Mini 2 SE was released in March 2023. It’s the lowest-priced drone you can find from DJI.

Although it has a low starting price, you can only get the drone with a remote controller and one included battery. If you need more batteries, you must buy them separately.

» MORE: How to Connect DJI Mini 2 SE to WiFi (Step-by-Step Guide)

Holy Stone HS720E 

✅ Pros

• It comes in a decent bundle with multiple batteries
• Acceptable flight time per battery
• Can film in 4k
• It has a follow-me mode
• It also has several intelligent features
• Low starting price
• Easy-to-fly budget drone
• Anti-shake electronic image stabilization

❌ Cons

• Short-range flights only (0.62 miles)
• It does not have a three-axis mechanical gimbal like the Mini 2 SE
• Requires registration due to being heavier than 250 grams
• Lacks anti-collision sensors
• Not enough documentation and specs from Holy Stone to make a well-informed decision

The Holy Stone HS720E was released in December 2020. It’s older but decent as a first drone.

The major advantage is that it comes in a nice bundle with two or three batteries (depending on where you purchase) and a carrying case.

The HS720E camera features a Sony CMOS known for its good image quality. It can film in 4k at 30 frames per second.

Moreover, the HS720E has a follow-me mode and several intelligent features.

» MORE: Holy Stone HS720E vs. Ruko F11GIM (Here’s my Choice)

Why choose the Holy Stone HS720E over the DJI Mini 2 SE

The Holy Stone HS720E is a fantastic choice for beginners who want to start flying drones without investing much. 

I would choose the Holy Stone HS720E over the DJI Mini 2 SE because it has a 4k camera, more flight time with the additional batteries, and a nice carrying case to transport your drone.

» MORE: Holy Stone HS720E vs. Ruko F11 Pro

DJI Mini 3 vs. Potensic ATOM SE 

SPECS	DJI Mini 3	Potensic ATOM SE
Weight	248 g	Under 249 g
Size	148×90×62 mm folded, without propellers	88x143x58mm folded
Flight Time	38 mins with the Intelligent battery 51 mins with the Intelligent Battery Plus	31 mins per battery pack (can be purchased with two or three batteries)
Flight Range	11 or 15.5 mi, depending on the battery (max flight distance)	2.5 mi transmission distance with PixSync 2.0
Camera	1/1.3-inch CMOS capable of recording in 4k at 30 frames per second and photographing in 48 MP resolution	1/3-inch Sony CMOS sensor capable of filming in 4k at 30 frames per second and taking photos in 12 MP resolution
Obstacle Avoidance	None	None
Follow-me Mode	No	Yes
Other Perks	Three-axis mechanical gimbal, Intelligent Flight Modes, compatible with DJI RC (remote controller with screen)	Potensic ATOM SE with remote controller and carrying case. Depending on the bundle, it can come with one, two, or three batteries.
Bundle	DJI Mini 3 drone with one battery and DJI RC-N1. It can also be purchased at a higher price with DJI RC or Fly More Combo	Potensic ATOM SE with remote controller and carrying case. It can come with one, two, or three batteries, depending on the bundle.

The Potensic ATOM SE is another fantastic budget drone compared to the DJI Mini 3.

The ATOM SE price is lower. Even with the costliest Potensic ATOM SE bundle, which includes three batteries, the ATOM SE is still more cost-effective.

A single Potensic battery lasts for 31 minutes.

This gives the ATOM SE a major flight advantage over the Mini 3, a top niche DJI drone with long flight times.

For the Mini 3 to fly longer, you need the Intelligent Battery Plus, which will cost extra. Moreover, the weight will exceed 250 grams, and this drone will require registration.

As for the camera, both drones can record in 4k at 30 frames per second. The Mini 3 CMOS is larger than the ATOM SE, but despite that, the ATOM SE can take astonishing photographs due to its Sony sensor.

» MORE: Potensic Atom SE App (Explained)

DJI Mini 3

✅ Pros

• A very well-known drone capable of good flight performance
• DJI Mini 3 supports two batteries and can fly for a long time
• It’s a sub-250-gram drone that may benefit from relaxed drone laws
• Good transmission range
• It’s foldable
• Compatible with DJI RC (with screen)
• Good wind resistance

❌ Cons

• The starting price is slightly high compared to its competitor
• No obstacle avoidance sensors
• No follow-me mode

The Mini 3 was released in December 2022 and is one of the most popular DJI drones.

It is a stripped-down version of the Mini 3 Pro, where obstacle avoidance sensors and a few more features were removed to bring the price down.

The cost will drastically increase if you buy more batteries or the DJI RC.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 – Beginner’s Guide

Potensic ATOM SE

✅ Pros

• Excellent flight time per battery pack
• Has follow-me mode
• It comes with several intelligent features
• It does not require registration
• It comes in a nice bundle
• Cheaper than the DJI Mini 3
• Excellent wind resistance

❌ Cons

• The camera sensor is quite small
• Low image resolution
• No obstacle avoidance sensors
• Lower transmission distance than the Mini 3 

The Potensic ATOM SE is another cheap and exceptional drone you should consider. It has great build quality and looks very sleek. 

Although it doesn’t have anti-collision sensors, it boasts a follow-me mode that can be used for vlogging or taking a B-roll.

What I love about this drone is the whopping flight time of each battery. It’s not expensive to purchase more batteries to reach a total flight time of about an hour and a half.

» MORE: DJI Mini SE vs. Potensic Atom SE (Read This First)

Why choose the Potensic ATOM SE over the DJI Mini 3

I personally choose the Potensic ATOM SE over the DJI Mini 3 for a few reasons:

• This drone is cheaper 
• It offers more in a fly-more pack
• With all the extra batteries, the flight time is drastically improved over what the Mini 3 shows for a higher price
• It has a functional follow-me mode

» MORE: Best Affordable Drones

DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Autel EVO Nano Plus

SPECS	DJI Mini 3 Pro	Autel EVO Nano Plus
Weight	249 g	249 g
Size	145×90×62 mm folded	140×90×50mm folded
Flight Time	34 mins with the Intelligent Battery 47 mins with the Intelligent Battery Plus	28 mins per battery pack
Flight Range	11 to 15.5 mi, depending on the battery (max flight distance). The real flight distance is imposed by FCC, CE, SRRC, and MIC	10.4 mi. The real flight distance is imposed by FCC, CE, SRRC, and MIC.
Camera	1/1.3-inch CMOS	1/1.28-inch CMOS
Obstacle Avoidance	Three-way obstacle avoidance	Three-way obstacle avoidance
Follow-me Mode	Yes, with Active Track 4.0	Yes, with Dynamic Track 2.1
Other Perks	Three-axis mechanical gimbal, compatible with DJI RC, Level 5 wind resistance	Three-axis mechanical gimbal, Level 5 wind resistance, No geofencing, PDAF + CDAF Focus, 4K RYYB color filter sensor
Bundle	DJI Mini 3 Pro, DJI RC-N1 (or DJI RC at a higher price), one battery (or three with Fly More Pack)	Autel EVO Nano Plus drone, remote controller, three batteries, four cables, several spare propellers, MicroSD 64GB card, fly-more charger, backpack, screwdriver, and additional tools

The price of Autel EVO Nano Plus is between the DJI Mini 3 Pro with DJI RC-N1 and the DJI RC. You will only get a single battery. If you need more, buy the fly-more pack, which is close to $1k.

The EVO Nano Plus has a slightly larger CMOS sensor, can photograph at a higher resolution, fly longer with additional batteries, and has a unique RYYB color filter and dual focus. 

This makes the EVO Nano Plus more practical than the Mini 3 Pro.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro: One-Year Review (Video)

DJI Mini 3 Pro 

✅ Pros

• An excellent mid-range drone good for photography and filming
• Can photograph at 48 MP resolution and film in 4k at 60 frames per second
• It has three-directional obstacle avoidance sensors
• It comes with ActiveTrack and follow-me mode on top of several intelligent functions
• It’s compatible with two types of batteries
• It offers a decent flight time
• It can fly long-range
• Good wind resistance
• Benefits from relaxed drone laws because of its weight (under 250 grams)
• It has a return-to-home function

❌ Cons

• It does not have omnidirectional obstacle avoidance sensors
• The price as a bundle is higher than the Autel EVO Nano Plus

The DJI Mini 3 Pro was released in May 2022, making it a slightly older drone.

If you want to purchase the Mini 3 Pro, you have multiple options, both with one battery or the Fly More Pack and with the DJI RC-N1 or DJI RC (with screen).

The Mini 3 Pro is a fantastic drone for beginners and a favorite of many drone pilots.

However, not everyone loves the Mini 3 Pro due to some common issues it may have.

Autel EVO Nano Plus

✅ Pros 

• It comes with a generous bundle
• Great flight time
• Decent flight range
• Its three batteries offer more flight time than the Mini 3 Pro
• Its camera sensor is slightly larger than the Mini 3 Pro
• The photo resolution is larger
• It has a follow-me mode and several intelligent features
• It comes with three-directional (360 degrees) anti-collision sensors
• Dynamic Track 2.1 is an advanced technology offering immersive flight performance over some intelligent functions and follow-me mode
• The RYYB camera sensor reproduces accurate and vivid colors and is better for photographing or filming in low-light conditions
• It has a dual-focus system
• Large camera aperture
• Bright orange version makes it more visible in the sky for longer-range flights under FAA laws
• No geofencing system

❌ Cons

• No omnidirectional sensing system
• It records in 4k but only at 30 frames per second, whereas the Mini 3 Pro can record 4k at 60 FPS

The Autel EVO Nano Plus was released in January 2022, a few months before the DJI Mini 3 Pro.

This drone is the more advanced version of the standard EVO Nano. 

While the Plus version offers a much better camera in every aspect, everything else is the same as the standard version.

However, the price difference between the EVO Nano and Nano Plus is too small not to take advantage of the extra features of the new and larger camera sensor.

The EVO Nano Plus is well known for having one of the richest bundles you can get with a drone. Compared to the Mini 3 Pro, the bundle places this drone above the Mini 3 Pro as quite cost-effective.

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 vs. Autel Nano Plus (All You Need to Know)

Why choose Autel EVO Nano Plus over the DJI Mini 3 Pro

At this time, with what we recommend, the Autel EVO Nano Plus has better perks than the Mini 3 Pro.

I would choose the Autel EVO Nano Plus if:

• You want more flight time (three batteries)
• You need a rich bundle with a ready-to-fly drone
• You want to take advantage of the RYYB color filter
• You want the dual-focus system
• You want to see the drone farther away

» MORE: DJI Mini 3 Pro vs. Autel Evo Nano+ (Here’s my Choice)

DJI Mavic 3 Pro vs. Autel EVO 2 Pro V3

SPECS	DJI Mavic 3 Pro	Autel EVO 2 Pro V3
Weight	958 g	1,191 g
Size	231.1×98×95.4 mm folded, without propellers	230x130x108 mm (folded)
Flight Time	43 mins	40 mins per battery pack
Flight Range	17.3 mi, restricted by FCC, CE, SRRC, and MIC	15.5 mi, restricted by FCC (to 9.3 mi), CE, SRRC, and MIC (5 mi)
Camera	Hasselblad Camera: 4/3-inch CMOS, capable of filming in 5.1k at 50 frames per second and photographing in 20 MP resolution. 1-3x zoom Medium Tele Camera: 1/1.3-inch CMOS capable of filming in 4k at 60 frames per second and photographing in 48 MP resolution. 3-7x zoom Tele Camera: 1/2-inch CMOS filming in 4k at 60 frames per second and capable of photographing in 12 MP resolution. 7-28x zoom	1-inch CMOS capable of filming in 6k at 30 frames per second or 4k at 60 frames per second. It can photograph in 20 MP resolution
Obstacle Avoidance	Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system	Omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system
Follow-me Mode	Yes, with Active Track 5.0	Yes
Other Perks	Three-axis mechanical gimbal, compatible with DJI RC and DJI RC Pro, O3+ transmission system, high video bitrate	Three-axis mechanical gimbal, moonlight algorithm for night photography and filming, Autel SkyLink 2.0 transmission system, 12-bit image
Bundle	DJI Mavic 3 Pro with DJI RC (controller with screen) and one battery in the standard bundle	Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 with Autel Smart Controller SE (6.4”OLED Screen), two batteries, six extra propellers, shoulder bag, rugged transport case, four ND filters, 64GB memory card, fly-more charger, and several more accessories

This turns out to be a stiff competition between two excellent professional drones.

Although the DJI Mavic 3 Pro is known to be fantastic for professional use because of its three cameras and unique zoom capabilities, the Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 (2023 version) offers some tremendous perks the Mavic 3 Pro doesn’t have.

The EVO 2 Pro V3 is known for low-light and night photography because of the Moonlight Algorithm 2.0. The two batteries make this drone an amazing choice for flying longer than an hour. 

Per battery pack, the Mavic 3 Pro has a similar flight time to the EVO 2 Pro V3.

» MORE: Autel Evo Lite+ Review

DJI Mavic 3 Pro

✅ Pros

• Large CMOS sensor with Hasselblad camera
• It comes with three cameras, capable of zooming up to 28x
• Omnidirectional anti-collision sensors
• Advanced ActiveTrack 5.0 with a follow-me mode
• Can fly for a long time
• Excellent transmission and can fly long-range
• Can film in 5.1k 
• It comes with DJI RC (with screen)

❌ Cons

• Large in size
• Requires registration
• It can be intimidating to fly
• High price
• No bundle

The DJI Mavic 3 Pro was released in May 2023. This drone is known for its fantastic Hasselblad camera with a massive sensor size, one of the biggest in any consumer drone.

The zoom capabilities of the other two cameras make this one a good option for many professional pilots.

However, the standard pack comes with only one battery. You’ll have to dig deep into your pocket if you want more DJI Mavic 3 Pro batteries. 

» MORE: DJI Mavic 3 vs. Mavic 3 Classic: Which Drone Should You Buy?

Autel EVO 2 Pro V3

✅ Pros

• Excellent flight time 
• Can easily fly long-range without issues
• Good for photography and filming, especially in low-light conditions
• 12-bit images
• Excellent wind resistance
• Omnidirectional anti-collision sensors
• It has advanced intelligent features, including a follow-me mode
• It comes in a bundle with many accessories, making it ready to fly without any extra investment
• No geofencing system to restrict you from flying in specific zones

❌ Cons

• The camera sensor is slightly smaller than the one found in the DJI Mavic 3 Pro and only has one camera
• Its price is slightly higher than the Mavic 3 Pro

The Autel EVO 2 Pro V3, the newest 2023 version, is a smart choice for night photography and drone filming.

Although it has a smaller (1-inch CMOS) sensor than the Mavic 3 Pro, its camera is optimized for exceptional photography and can film in 6k.

This drone also comes with a special remote controller with an incorporated screen.

On top of that, the EVO 2 Pro V3 has one of the biggest bundles you can find in a drone (see the above table).

The Autel batteries offered for the EVO 2 Pro V3 make this drone fly much longer than the Mavic 3 Pro.

And with the Live Deck, you can stream anywhere without stress, making it a fantastic drone for vloggers.

» MORE: Are Autel Drones Any Good? (You Might Be Surprised)

Why Choose Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 over DJI Mavic 3 Pro

Both drones offer excellent performances and specs, but practically, I will lean towards the Autel EVO 2 Pro V3 for a few reasons:

• It’s a fantastic choice if you’re not looking for three cameras
• It has more flight time
• You don’t have to invest in more accessories because the EVO 2 Pro V3 comes with plenty
• It has a good resolution and framerate

» MORE: Is Autel Evo 2 Waterproof (& Can You Fly It in the Rain)?