PX4 Autopilot
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2008
- HeadquartersZürich, Switzerland
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
PX4 Autopilot firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- PX4 Autopilot
- Legal name
- PX4 Autopilot
- Website
- https://px4.io
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2008
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
PX4 Autopilot industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Drone Flight Control Software
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure (IMABAIAL), Flight Control Computers & Autopilot Systems (IMABAFAA)
Keywords
Where PX4 Autopilot is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Zürich
- HQ country
- Switzerland
- HQ region
- Europe
Markets served
PX4 Autopilot business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Open Source Software Distribution: PX4 flight control software is freely distributed under BSD 3-clause license. The project is sustained through the Dronecode Foundation, a non-profit organization under the Linux Foundation that accepts membership fees from organizations that benefit from the ecosystem.
- Ecosystem Hardware Sales: While PX4 software is free, the ecosystem generates revenue through compatible hardware (flight controllers, developer kits, peripheral sensors) sold by ecosystem partners like Holybro, ModalAI, NXP, UVify, and others.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Freemium | Others | Free Open Source Software |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
PX4 Autopilot product offering
Product offeringCore offering
PX4 Autopilot is an open-source flight control software platform for drones and other unmanned vehicles, distributed for free under the BSD 3-clause license and hosted by the Dronecode Foundation. It provides a modular port-based architecture with built-in safety features, an autonomy stack supporting computer vision and machine learning, and compatibility across multicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, VTOLs, rovers, and boats. Surrounding the core firmware are companion tools including QGroundControl ground station software, the MAVLink communication protocol, and the MAVSDK library, along with certified-compatible hardware from ecosystem partners.
Product overview
PX4 Autopilot is an open source, platform-independent flight control system for drones and unmanned vehicles. The core offering consists of the PX4 Autopilot firmware which provides modular flight control software with an autonomy stack, integrated safety features, and sophisticated sensor fusion. Supporting products include uORB (internal messaging middleware), QGroundControl (ground control station), MAVLink protocol, and MAVSDK for programmatic control. The ecosystem extends through official Developer Kits (PX4 Autonomy Developer Kit with ModalAI, DEXI, Holybro X500 v2, VOXL m500, HoverGames, OMEGA) and a broad Compatible Hardware ecosystem of Pixhawk-compliant autopilots and peripherals. The Dronecode Foundation, a Linux Foundation non-profit, hosts and governs the project along with related tools.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- PX4 Autopilot Open-source flight control software for drones and unmanned vehicles, supporting multicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, VTOLs, rovers, and boats with a modular port-based architecture, autonomy stack, built-in safety features, and sensor fusion. Distributed free under BSD 3-clause license for use by drone developers, system integrators, researchers, and hobbyists.
- QGroundControl Open-source ground control station companion to PX4 that provides vehicle configuration, firmware flashing, mission planning, and real-time flight monitoring. Hosted by Dronecode Foundation.
- MAVLink Lightweight messaging protocol used by PX4 for telemetry and command exchange with ground control stations, companion computers, and other MAVLink-compatible systems. Supports MAVLink 2.0 with message signing.
- MAVSDK Cross-platform SDK available in C++, Python, Swift and other languages for programmatic control of PX4-powered drones and access to telemetry data over MAVLink.
- PX4 Developer Kits Official hardware development kits for PX4 development, including the PX4 Autonomy Developer Kit (ModalAI VOXL 2 with pre-configured PX4, VIO, obstacle avoidance, and TFLite support), as well as Holybro X500 v2, NXP HoverGames, and UVify OMEGA kits.
- PX4 v1.17 Stable release of the PX4 Autopilot firmware (v1.17) introducing on-device neural network control, expanded ROS 2 support across fixed-wing and rovers, and Zenoh middleware with new INS drivers.
- PX4 v1.16 Stable release of the PX4 Autopilot firmware (v1.16) introducing a rover architecture overhaul, bidirectional DShot, Gazebo Harmonic, and ChaCha20 log encryption.
- PX4 v1.15 Stable release of the PX4 Autopilot firmware (v1.15) adding Throw Mode, advanced ROS 2 interface features, and improved simulation, optical flow, and geofencing.
- PX4 v1.14 Stable release of the PX4 Autopilot firmware (v1.14) enabling dynamic control allocation by default and introducing native ROS 2 support via the uXRCE-DDS bridge.
- PX4 v1.13 Stable release of the PX4 Autopilot firmware (v1.13) that added experimental dynamic control allocation, flight time estimation, autonomous gentle touchdown and broader hardware support.
- PX4 Autonomy Developer Kit All-in-one autonomy development drone co-developed with ModalAI, built around the VOXL 2 companion computer and pre-configured PX4 flight stack with VIO, obstacle avoidance, 3D mapping, and onboard TFLite neural network support.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thousands of commercial systems deployed worldwide with thousands of flight hours per month of testing
- +1 more outcomes
Companies that use PX4 Autopilot
Customer profileNamed customers10 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
PX4 Autopilot technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration15 records
AI capability8 records
Feature7 records
PX4 Autopilot partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- Dronecode FoundationcorePX4 is hosted by the Dronecode Foundation, a vendor-neutral non-profit organization administered by the Linux Foundation to foster open source software use on flying vehicles. The foundation provides governance, funding support, and sustainable growth initiatives for the PX4 ecosystem.
- HolybrocoreMajor ecosystem partner selling PX4-compatible flight controllers (Pixhawk series) and development kits (X500 v2, S500 V2, QAV250) through the PX4 ecosystem.
- ModalAIcoreProduces VOXL development drones (VOXL m500) and the official PX4 Autonomy Developer Kit pre-configured with PX4 autopilot, computer vision, and ROS 2 capabilities.
- NXP SemiconductorcoreHardware partner providing HoverGames drone and rover development platform and flight controller boards (MR-CANHUBK3, Tropic VMU) with PX4 support.
- UVifymajorDrone manufacturer using PX4 across product lineup including Draco-R research platform, IFO-S swarm drone, and OMEGA open modular drone.
- MAVLinkcorePX4 uses MAVLink protocol as primary communication protocol for ground control station communication and peripheral integration.
- ROS 2 / Open RoboticscoreNative ROS 2 integration through uXRCE-DDS middleware and Zenoh support, enabling seamless communication between PX4 vehicles and ROS 2 robotic systems.
- Gazebo SimulationmajorPX4 integrates with Gazebo Harmonic LTS for software-in-the-loop (SITL) simulation, allowing developers to test flight code in realistic virtual environments.
- QGroundControlcoreOpen source ground control station software developed under Dronecode Foundation that provides mission planning, firmware updates, and flight telemetry for PX4 vehicles.
- OpenCyphalmajorPX4 supports OpenCyphal (formerly UAVCAN) for CAN bus connectivity and hierarchical distributed systems integration.
- ARK ElectronicsmajorSponsored bidirectional DShot support development for PX4 and produces ARK FPV flight controller, ARK X20 GPS receiver, and other PX4-compatible hardware.
- Ascend EngineeringmajorOfficial test flights provider for Dronecode, leading extensive flight testing campaigns for PX4 releases including over 100 flight logs across multiple vehicle types for v1.17.
- AuterionmajorEnterprise company providing Skynode S all-in-one computing solution for PX4 and contributes significantly to PX4 development and enterprise support.
- CubepilotmajorHardware partner with Cube Orange+ flight controller and other Pixhawk-standard boards now designated as 'Manufacturer Supported' with CubePilot engineering team involvement.
- Freefly SystemsmajorUses PX4 in Alta 6 hexacopter designed for aerial cinematography with folding arms for portability.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
PX4 Autopilot competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- ArduPilot: ArduPilot is the most direct open-source flight control alternative to PX4, supporting fixed-wing, multicopter, helicopter, rover, and submarine platforms. It is the original large-scale open-source autopilot project and competes with PX4 for contributor mindshare, hardware partner integration, and commercial OEM adoption.
- Auterion: Auterion is a commercial enterprise drone software company that builds on top of PX4 and contributes significantly back to the PX4 project. It competes with PX4 (and the broader Dronecode ecosystem) for enterprise PX4-based drone deployments while also being one of its largest commercial distribution channels.
- Betaflight: Betaflight is the leading open-source flight controller firmware for FPV, racing, and freestyle drones. It targets the high-performance hobbyist end of the market that PX4 also serves with profiles like racing and acro, competing for contributor attention and developer mindshare in the same open-source firmware space.
- INav: INav is another open-source flight controller firmware focused on fixed-wing and GPS-guided flight with a strong hobbyist community. It overlaps with PX4 in budget/mid-range flight controller hardware categories and competes for developers building long-range and autonomous fixed-wing platforms.
- Paparazzi UAV: Paparazzi is an open-source autopilot project originating from ENAC/ENSUAG in France, supporting fixed-wing, multirotor, and hybrid VTOL platforms with a strong academic and research user base. It competes with PX4 in the research and education segment of the open-source autopilot market.
Broad incumbents
- DJI: DJI is the dominant commercial drone manufacturer with proprietary A3/N3/A-N flight controllers and the DJI Pilot/AirSense ecosystem. As the incumbent commercial drone platform, DJI competes with PX4-based open-source alternatives by offering vertically integrated, certified hardware/software stacks that lock out open-source adoption in many commercial segments.
- Skydio: Skydio is a leading US-based commercial drone manufacturer using a proprietary autonomy stack for inspection, public safety, and defense applications. It competes with PX4-based commercial systems by offering tightly integrated hardware/software solutions with claimed autonomy leadership, particularly in GPS-denied environments.
- Parrot: Parrot is a long-established drone manufacturer (consumer and professional) with its own flight stack and ANAFI product line. It competes with PX4 in the commercial/inspection drone space through vertically integrated offerings like Sequoia and senseFly agricultural imaging platforms.
Emerging players
- Bitcraze (Crazyflie): Bitcraze builds the Crazyflie open-source nano-drone platform used heavily in academic and swarm robotics research. It overlaps with PX4 in the academic research and swarm/uSwarm segment, with comparable open-source values, but targets indoor/toy-class platforms rather than commercial UAVs.
Others
- ModalAI: ModalAI is a core PX4 hardware/ecosystem partner producing VOXL companion computers and the PX4 Autonomy Developer Kit. While it builds on PX4 rather than competing with it directly, ModalAI represents an adjacent commercial channel for PX4-based autonomy development kits, and its VOXL stack is an increasingly integrated autonomy solution in its own right.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
PX4 Autopilot social profiles
Digital presencePX4 Autopilot financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
PX4 Autopilot leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
PX4 Autopilot funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
PX4 Autopilot M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about PX4 Autopilot
What does PX4 Autopilot do?
PX4 Autopilot is an open-source flight control software platform for drones and other unmanned vehicles, distributed for free under the BSD 3-clause license and hosted by the Dronecode Foundation. It provides a modular port-based architecture with built-in safety features, an autonomy stack supporting computer vision and machine learning, and compatibility across multicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, VTOLs, rovers, and boats. Surrounding the core firmware are companion tools including QGroundControl ground station software, the MAVLink communication protocol, and the MAVSDK library, along with certified-compatible hardware from ecosystem partners.
Is PX4 Autopilot a public or private company?
PX4 Autopilot is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was PX4 Autopilot founded?
PX4 Autopilot was founded in 2008. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is PX4 Autopilot based?
PX4 Autopilot is headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, in the Europe region.
How does PX4 Autopilot make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Open Source Software Distribution is the primary driver. The others are ecosystem Hardware Sales.
Who are PX4 Autopilot's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are ArduPilot, Auterion, Betaflight, INav and Paparazzi UAV. Broad incumbents are DJI, Skydio and Parrot. Bitcraze (Crazyflie) is listed as an emerging player. ModalAI is listed as an others.
Does PX4 Autopilot have an API?
No public API is recorded for PX4 Autopilot.
What industry is PX4 Autopilot in?
PX4 Autopilot's product category is Drone Flight Control Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV), with a secondary code of IMABAIAL, UAS Ground Control Stations (GCS) & Remote Operations Infrastructure. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.