specification: FinOps Framework
specificationVersion: '1.0'
schema: https://www.finops.org/framework/
provider: Propeller Aero
providerId: propeller-aero
created: '2026-07-04'
modified: '2026-07-04'
reconciled: false
tags:
- Drone Survey
- Geospatial
- Earthworks
- FinOps
- Cost Management
- FOCUS
description: >-
  FinOps view of Propeller Aero spend. Propeller bills as annual, quote-based
  platform subscriptions priced per site, plus AeroPoints ground-control
  hardware (per unit) and an optional annual AeroPoints processing subscription.
  The Public API is not separately metered - it is an entitlement of higher
  tiers (such as Scale) - so API usage carries no incremental per-call charge.
  Cost is driven primarily by the number of sites under subscription and the
  hardware fleet, making per-site and per-team allocation the main levers.
notes: >-
  Propeller does not publish a public price list; per-site and hardware figures
  are indicative from third-party sources. Reconcile actual contract terms,
  billing frequency, and currency with Propeller.
sources:
- https://www.propelleraero.com/platform/scale/
- https://help.propelleraero.com/hc/en-us/articles/19383843944599-Using-Propeller-API
- https://www.capterra.com/p/179319/Propeller-Platform/
alignedWith:
  framework: FinOps Foundation Framework
  frameworkUrl: https://www.finops.org/framework/
  dataSpec: FOCUS
  dataSpecVersion: '1.3'
  dataSpecUrl: https://focus.finops.org/focus-specification/v1-3/
publisherName: Propeller Aero
serviceCategory: Analytics
billingModel:
  pricingCategory: Subscription-Based
  billingFrequency: Annual
  billingCurrency: USD
  chargeCategories:
  - Purchase
  - Usage
focusColumns:
  ServiceName: Propeller Platform
  ServiceCategory: Analytics
  ProviderName: Propeller Aero
  PublisherName: Propeller Aero
  InvoiceIssuerName: Propeller Aero
  BillingCurrency: USD
  ChargeCategory: Purchase
  PricingCategory: Subscription-Based
meters:
- name: site_subscription
  description: Annual platform subscription billed per site under contract.
  unit: sites
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - organization
  - site
- name: aeropoint_units
  description: AeroPoints ground-control hardware purchased per unit (per site fleet).
  unit: units
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - organization
  - site
- name: aeropoints_processing_subscription
  description: Annual AeroPoints processing subscription per AeroPoint group (standalone hardware users).
  unit: groups
  aggregation: sum
  dimensions:
  - organization
principles:
- name: Visibility
  description: Track subscribed sites and hardware fleet per contract; there is no per-call API meter to monitor.
- name: Allocation
  description: Allocate per-site subscription and hardware cost to the project/team that owns each job site.
- name: Optimization
  description: Consolidate or retire inactive sites; right-size the AeroPoint fleet per site; automate exports via the Public API to reduce manual reprocessing.
- name: Accountability
  description: Assign each site and its subscription to an owner; review the active-site roster against active projects at renewal.
maintainers:
- FN: Kin Lane
  email: kin@apievangelist.com