How to Finance a Drone: Explore Top Drone Financing Options

Does looking at that $5000 price tag on your dream drone feel unreachable?

You know the revolutionary potential this purchase can have on your work, but that steep upfront cost seems like a steep climb.

Whether you’re a business owner eyeing a high-end drone or a hobbyist ready to upgrade your aerial videography game, here’s the good news: you’ve got financing options for drones!

With new technologies constantly evolving, the excitement surrounding drone technology is acceptable.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the top drone financing options currently available in the market. So you can turn flying your dream drone a reality and of course, get those amazing drone jobs done.

Why Financing a Drone Purchase Makes Sense?

Drones can cost from a few hundred to thousands of dollars based on their tech specifications and features. When you’re eyeing those high-end models, the price tag can be overwhelming.

That’s when drone financing options come in.

Financing allows you to invest in advanced technology while saving money for other important expenses.

Reasons you need to consider financing:

• Manageable payment: Financing allows you to spread out the cost into monthly manageable installments.
• Allows to capitalize on new market opportunities: Once you access the latest high-end drone technology, you can explore new possibilities, which can lead you towards generating higher income.

Common Financing Options for Drones

Here are some of the best ways to finance a drone purchase available to fit your specific needs and financial conditions:

1. Personal drone loans

Got no cash to pay upfront? Ain’t no worries—financing a drone via a personal loan can be a practical solution for you.

Consider approaching a bank, credit union, or online lender to apply for a loan. These loan providers usually look for a credit score of at least 600 to 700.

Depending on your creditworthiness and financial history, loan duration could range from 24 to 60 months, with loan amounts ranging between $3,000 to $20,000.

Pros:

• You can purchase any drone without being restricted to a limited budget.
• You can get personal loans easily, that too on low interest rates based on your credit card score.

Cons:

• To get a loan you must have good to excellent credit to qualify for the best rates.
• If you already have loans to pay off, then excessive borrowing might result in increased monthly payments and even lead to financial hardship.

2. Store-based financing

Store-based financing or point-of-sale financing (PoS) allows you to buy gadgets from store retailers and pay later.

These store retailers often partner with financing companies to offer manageable monthly payment plans. Common examples of such financing companies are UCFS and Abunda.

Pros:

• If you don’t have access to high credit limits on your credit cards, you can easily make a purchase using store financing, as it doesn’t impact your credit utilization.
• Majority of store financing options approve loans quickly, allowing you to complete your purchase fast.

Cons:

• Store financing usually has higher interest rates as compared to traditional loans, which can increase the overall cost, and make the purchase more expensive in the long run.
• In some cases, store financing may also include additional fees like origination fees, prepayment fees, and late payment fees—adding up to the cost.

3. Credit Cards

Do you have a credit card with 0% APR (Annual Percentage Rate)?

Well, it could also be your ticket to bringing home that drone you have been eyeing for so long.

Pros:

• Credit cards offering 0% APR can allow you to finance your drone purchase interest-free if paid off within the promotional timeframe (usually 6 to 18 months)—making it a cost-effective financing option.
• In addition, using a rewards credit card can offer you cash back points, or other perks on your purchases.

Cons:

• Once the APR period ends, the interest rates can significantly increase from 15% to 25%, which further increases the cost of purchase dramatically.
• Missed a payment? You may lose that sweet 0% interest rate, further complicating your repayment and adding to the cost.

Drone Payment Plans For High-End Drone Purchases

Ready to finance your next premium drone purchase?

Besides the traditional store retailers and loan providers, online retailers are offering “buy now and pay later” installment schemes—especially for big drone purchases.

These online retailers allow you to split the cost of your drone into monthly installments, often with little to zero interest rate (if paid in a set period of time).

Here are some widely used options to consider:

1. BNC Finance

BNC Finance specializes in offering high-end financing and leasing to businesses and individuals on equipment purchases.

Their drone installment plans are designed to cater to both small businesses and individual buyers, making it easier to finance costly tech equipment. Plus, they offer customized financing plans for a range of industries.

Their financing solutions start from $500 up to $350,000, with terms extending from 12 to 84 months.

It’s ideal for any small to midsize business owner and experienced drone pros.

2. Stearns Bank

If you are looking for specific equipment financing solutions for your business, then Stearns Bank can be a good option.

Stearns Bank is a well-known equipment finance and leasing service provider that focuses mostly on commercial applications. They serve small and medium-sized businesses with short or long-term equipment financing options based on specific needs.

Stearns Bank’s application process is streamlined, allowing you to secure funding quickly and effectively. They offer benefits like—low down payments, flexible repayments, and competitive interest rates.

3. Affirm

Affirm is one of the most popular pay-over-time drone financing solutions for both casual buyers and business owners.

Affirm partners with many major online retailers, allowing you to select suitable financing offers during checkout at 0% interest (for qualified buyers). Their application and qualification process is quick, where customers can choose their repayment plans, typically ranging from 3-12 months.

This way, you can get your new high-end drone delivered in no time and manage cash flow effectively.

4. Klarna

Klarna works with many online drone retailers, where they offer “Buy Now, Pay Later” financing services.

You can simply select Klarna during checkout as your payment option and then choose among several options, including their popular “Pay in 4” option—this allows you to split the payment into four interest-free installments over 6 weeks.

Klarna’s key benefits include a 0% interest rate on a short-term plan and instant approval. Plus, the Klarna app allows for easy management of re-payments.

How to Choose the Right Drone Financing Option

Watch the video to learn what to check before buying a used drone

Whether for business or personal, making an informed final decision on drone financing options involves a detailed evaluation.

Here are three key points you need to ask yourself while making the final call:

1. Understand your goals, needs and requirements

• What will the drone be used for?
• How frequently will the drone be used?
• What features and specifications are non-negotiable for you?
• How frequently will you need to upgrade?

2. Assess your current financial situation

• What is your budget?
• What is your current credit score?
• What interest rate can you qualify for?
• How much lump sum or down payment can you afford?
• How long can you commit to the installment payment plan?

3. Compare and review your best financing options

• What different finance plans are available based on your needs?
• What are the repayment terms of each plan?
• What are the terms and conditions of payment plan flexibility?
• What additional benefits do financing plans include?

Let’s compare all the best financing options for drones in the next section.

Comparing the Best Drone Financing Options for Businesses and Hobbyists

Conclusion

Choosing the best possible financing option isn’t just a financial decision anymore—it’s a strategic investment in your future goals.

So remember, the key is to always weigh your options mindfully and make the right decision based on your current requirements and financial standing.

Don’t let financial constraints hold you back. Explore the possibilities, and take advantage of the financing options.

Focus on what’s the ultimate goal with this purchase, what outcome you want to achieve, and how you can make the most out of your drone investment.

Want to maximize your investment? Check out our drone training program here.

Because having a drone is just the beginning—and knowing how to fly like a pro will set you apart and help you achieve your goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I finance a drone purchase as a business?

Yes! You can finance drones as a business using gadget loans, credit cards, and leasing programs.

These financing options can help you spread the cost, preserve your cash flow, and sometimes even get benefits from tax advantages associated with the gadget loans.

Among all the options, leasing is popular—as it allows businesses to upgrade their equipment easily as the technology evolves.

2. What are the best financing options for high-end drones?

For high-end drones, considering options like Affirm Financing can be viable as they have a buy now, pay later option, and they offer instant loan approval for online purchases.

Affirm doesn’t depend on just your credit score; they also consider other data points while making loan approvals. Their checkout process is simple, safe, secure, and has no hidden fees.

3. How does leasing a drone compare to buying?

Leasing a drone or buying one outright both have their own pros and cons—making the choice dependent on your current needs and circumstances. It typically involves little to no down payment or small monthly installments, which is quite affordable compared to buying one.

Leasing is usually ideal for businesses that frequently want to upgrade their equipment as this reduces the risk of obsolescence associated with rapidly evolving technology.

So, if you are looking for more flexibility in your operational needs and want to work with only the latest technology, then you can consider leasing as a good option.

However, the disadvantage here is that you never become the owner of the equipment. This means you’ll miss out on long-term asset value.

4. Can I finance a drone with bad credit?

Yes, you can finance a drone with a bad credit score, although your options can get limited with this.

Some financing options by Affirm, Klarna, and Sterns Bank allow you to get drones with lenient credit score requirements.

However, keep in mind that you may face higher interest rates or limited financing terms. In some cases, saving for the drone may be a better long-term option if financing isn’t favorable.