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Construction · head to head

Propeller Aero vs Tekla Structures

Propeller Aero logo

Propeller Aero

Construction

Drone survey processing and earthworks volume measurement for sites that measure stockpiles weekly

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Tekla Structures logo

Tekla Structures

Construction

BIM software for structural engineering and construction

From
$400/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Propeller Aero platform pricing is not published and is scoped by sites and users, so a contractor with many short-lived sites can be quoted very differently from one with a few long ones, and neither can benchmark against a list price; Tekla Structures no specific pricing published; three subscription options available but require sales contact
  • They diverge on capability: Propeller Aero covers Photogrammetric processing, Tekla Structures covers 3D structural modeling.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Propeller Aero and Tekla Structures actually diverge.

Attributes where Propeller Aero and Tekla Structures differ
AttributePropeller AeroTekla Structures
Starting priceOn request$400/month
Pricing modelHardware purchase plus a quoted platform subscriptionsubscription
PlatformsWeb, iOS, AndroidWindows
FoundedUnknown1978

Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Construction).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Propeller Aero

  • Photogrammetric processing
  • AeroPoints ground control
  • Volume measurement
  • Design surface comparison
  • Progress timeline
  • Machine telemetry
  • Corrections network

Only in Tekla Structures

  • 3D structural modeling
  • Steel detailing
  • Concrete detailing
  • Drawing production
  • Fabrication support
  • Trimble Connect
  • Revit
  • AutoCAD

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Propeller Aero

  • A quarry that reconciles stockpile inventory monthly for its accounts and wants the volume evidence to survive an auditnot Tekla Structures
  • An earthworks contractor claiming progress payments on cubic metres moved who needs an independent measurement the client will acceptnot Tekla Structures
  • A civil site checking whether a subgrade is within tolerance of the design before the surfacing crew arrivesnot Tekla Structures
  • A mine that wants weekly volume reporting without a survey crew on the ground every weeknot Tekla Structures

Tekla Structures

  • Structural designnot Propeller Aero
  • Steel detailingnot Propeller Aero
  • Rebar detailingnot Propeller Aero
  • Fabrication managementnot Propeller Aero

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Propeller Aero

  • Platform pricing is not published and is scoped by sites and users, so a contractor with many short-lived sites can be quoted very differently from one with a few long ones, and neither can benchmark against a list price
  • The corrections network is free only while you hold a current platform licence, so cancelling the platform subscription reintroduces a 1,000 dollar per year per group hardware cost that many buyers do not model
  • AeroPoints are a hardware purchase at 1,000 dollars each and most sites need several, so the true entry cost includes several thousand dollars of equipment on top of a subscription
  • It measures rather than designs, so a contractor still needs Civil 3D, Trimble Business Center or an equivalent to produce and revise the design surfaces the measurement is compared against
  • Accuracy depends on flight planning, ground control placement and weather, and a poorly flown survey produces a confident wrong volume, so an organisation still needs someone who understands survey error rather than only a drone pilot

Tekla Structures

  • No specific pricing published; three subscription options available but require sales contact
  • Flexible licensing that adjusts as company develops and grows, but specific rates not disclosed

Pricing, plan by plan

Propeller Aero

On request
  • AeroPoint ground control unit$1000/one-time
    • Single solar-powered GNSS ground control marker
    • Includes 12 months of the Propeller Corrections Network
    • Network renewal 1,000 USD per year per AeroPoint group
  • Propeller Platform$undefined/year
    • Quoted by number of sites, users and survey volume
    • Not published
    • Processing turnaround and support level vary by agreement

Tekla Structures

$400/month
  • Tekla Structures$400/month
    • 3D modeling
    • Detailing
    • Drawing production
  • EnterpriseFree
    • Multi-user
    • Advanced features
    • Custom configurations

Which should you pick?

Choose Propeller Aero if

  • You need photogrammetric processing.
  • You work on Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want aeropoints ground control.
Propeller Aero review

Choose Tekla Structures if

  • You need 3d structural modeling.
  • You work on Windows.
  • You also want steel detailing.
Tekla Structures review

Questions people ask

Is Propeller Aero or Tekla Structures better?
Neither clearly leads. Propeller Aero starts at On request and Tekla Structures at $400/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Propeller Aero or Tekla Structures?
Propeller Aero starts at On request and Tekla Structures at $400/month.
Does Propeller Aero or Tekla Structures run on more platforms?
Propeller Aero runs on Web, iOS, Android. Tekla Structures runs on Windows.
What is Propeller Aero best used for?
Propeller Aero is most often used for a quarry that reconciles stockpile inventory monthly for its accounts and wants the volume evidence to survive an audit, an earthworks contractor claiming progress payments on cubic metres moved who needs an independent measurement the client will accept, a civil site checking whether a subgrade is within tolerance of the design before the surfacing crew arrives, a mine that wants weekly volume reporting without a survey crew on the ground every week. Of those, a quarry that reconciles stockpile inventory monthly for its accounts and wants the volume evidence to survive an audit and an earthworks contractor claiming progress payments on cubic metres moved who needs an independent measurement the client will accept are not what Tekla Structures is typically brought in for.
What can Propeller Aero do that Tekla Structures cannot?
Propeller Aero covers Photogrammetric processing, AeroPoints ground control, Volume measurement, Design surface comparison. Tekla Structures covers 3D structural modeling, Steel detailing, Concrete detailing, Drawing production.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Propeller Aero: How much does Propeller cost?

The platform is quoted and not published. AeroPoints are 1,000 US dollars each, with the corrections network included for twelve months and thereafter free while a platform licence is current, otherwise 1,000 dollars a year per group.

Tekla Structures: Is there a free trial for Tekla Structures?

Yes, a 30-day free trial is available at https://download.trimble.com/tekla-structures/free-trial

Source
Propeller Aero: Do I need AeroPoints?

No, you can use conventional surveyed ground control, but the AeroPoints workflow is the main reason contractors choose Propeller over generic photogrammetry.

Tekla Structures: What subscription options are available?

Tekla Structures offers three material-independent subscription options designed for specific user needs. Each subscription includes Trimble Connect Business Premium and Tekla Model Sharing collaboration platform. Contact Tekla for specific pricing and plan details.

Source
Propeller Aero: Is it survey grade?

Propeller states centimetre-level accuracy with correct ground control. Whether that satisfies a contract depends on your specification and on how the survey was flown, not on the software alone.

Propeller Aero: Who owns the data?

You retain your survey data and can export surfaces and point clouds, but check the export formats and retention terms in your contract before closeout, because bulk historical export is not a self-service one-click operation.

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