Best Financing Options for DJI Drones

The drones from DJI are some of the most popular and best-selling drones in the market today. They deserve this position, too, as these drones are some of the most reliable models, are packed with dozens of features, and look really good. The major drawback of DJI drones (and other high-end drone products) is that they can be quite expensive. The basic DJI Spark bundle costs around $400, while the more professional Phantom and Inspire bundles can easily set you back upwards of $1000. If you’re thinking of starting a drone-based business, the cost of the drones is already a sizable capital.

In this article, we tackle your options for financing or taking out loans to buy a DJI Drone. We also discuss the pros and cons of taking out these loans, and whether these financing options are right for you.

Why take a financing option?

Simply put, financing options allow you to purchase a drone without paying the costs upfront. Payments can be staggered per month for up to 12 months, depending on the financing option you choose to take. By staggering the payments, the burden of the cost of buying a drone is not as apparent.

Financing options make a lot of sense if you are thinking of buying a drone or multiple drones for use in a drone-based business. With options that offer 0% APR (Annual Percentage Rate), taking a loan on a drone can be even more profitable for you if you can start earning from your business within the first few months.

DJI and Affirm

The most popular financing option is the one provided by Affirm, who has formed a partnership with DJI. Since Affirm is directly partnered with DJI, the process of applying for an Affirm loan is integrated into the checkout process when buying a drone from DJI. This makes it one of the simplest and quickest financing options when buying a DJI Drone.

Affirm offers payment terms of 3, 6, or 12 months. You may choose any of these options based on which one works best for you. The rates offered by Affirm can range from 10% to 30%, determined by your credit score and other factors.

Its partnership with DJI means that Affirm is a trusted and reputable company. There are no hidden fees when you get Affirm financing, and you can rest assured that your financial and personal information will be kept safe and private.

Signing up for Affirm financing is very easy since the option is already available during the checkout step when you purchase a drone directly from the DJI website. However, keep in mind that Affirm does have the discretion to reject your application for a loan based on their approval process. Affirm is also available only in the USA, so you might have to settle for other financing options if you live outside of USA territories.

Paypal Credit

Another popular method to get a staggered payment scheme when buying a DJI drone (or any drone, in general) is by using Paypal Credit. This program by Paypal provides financing of up to a 6-month payment term for transactions that cost more than $99. Best of all, Paypal offers zero interest if the monthly payments are made on time and if the full amount is paid within 6 months.

Signing up for Paypal Credit is also very easy. If you already have a Paypal account, then you only need to provide your date of birth, income after taxes, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number. Keep in mind that Paypal also reserves the right to reject your credit application, likely based on your credit rating or other factors. You can probably also tell from the application requirements, but Paypal Credit is currently only offered for buyers in the USA.

The major benefit of using Paypal Credit as a financing option is that it is not limited only to DJI drones or other drone products. As long as you use Paypal to pay for your purchases that amount greater than $99, you may opt to use Paypal Credit as a safe and secure financing option.

Credit cards

If you find that the two previous options are not for you, then maybe you prefer to use a more traditional financing option. Credit card companies commonly offer payment schemes of as short as 3 months to as long as 12 months for big purchases, such as those above $100. The details of the loan and the payment scheme may vary in each bank, so it is best to contact your bank directly regarding this matter.

Using the financing options of credit cards is likely the best option available for buyers outside of USA. As usual, credit companies may conduct a background check or credit review on you before they grant you your application for a financing option.

Is drone financing for you?

Let’s call a spade a spade: taking a financing options means borrowing money to buy a drone. While this is a standard method for buying big-ticket items such a house or a car, a drone does not exactly fall into these categories. If you are only using a drone for recreational purposes, we recommend saving up for it and not spending money that you don’t have yet. No matter how fun flying a drone is, it is not worth getting trapped in debt for.

Drone financing probably makes the most sense if you are planning to use a drone or a set of drones to conduct business. With very low (or zero) interest rates, there is a chance for you to turn a profit in the first few months, even before you complete the full payment for the drone. The extra cash you get to keep due to a staggered payment scheme can also be used to purchase accessories or increase advertising – things that can help get your drone business off the ground.

Conclusion

Drone financing has become a popular and easily accessible program available for aspiring drone owners. One of the top drone brands, DJI, has even offered an in-house financing option via Affirm. Nowadays, buying a drone is easier than ever, much to our satisfaction.

However, we have to state that drone financing might not be for everyone. If you are only going to use your drone for recreation or as a hobby, we still suggest saving money until your have enough for a one-time payment. Being under debt is not an ideal position, even in exchange of the most advanced and sophisticated toy you will ever own.

We maintain that drone financing is only a viable option for users that intend to use their drone for business. By preserving capital, business owners can be a little more flexible with their expenses and other business needs.