For most farms, the easiest way to "rent" a spray drone is to hire a custom drone applicator who brings the drone, crew and licenses. Renting the aircraft alone is possible from some dealers and operators, but whoever flies it must hold Part 107, an FAA Part 137 certificate and an exemption that covers that aircraft, plus a state applicator license for pesticide work. Buying makes sense once you have enough acres every season to keep the drone busy.
Option 1: Hire a drone spraying service
You pay per acre, and the operator handles the FAA approvals, state license, insurance, equipment and records. Iowa State University's 2026 custom rate survey put the average charge for drone spraying at about $12.50 per acre, chemicals extra, with a typical range of $8 to $16. See drone spraying cost per acre.
Good for: wet fields, tall crops, fungicide timing, hard-to-reach acres, or trying drone application before investing.
Option 2: Rent the drone
A "dry" rental means you get the aircraft and fly it yourself. The catch is paperwork: the FAA's agricultural exemption process asks for each aircraft's make, model, registration number and owner, so your approvals need to cover the drone you rent. You also need your own state applicator license and insurance that covers spraying. Ask the rental company:
- Is the drone registered, and how will it be listed on my exemption?
- Who insures the aircraft and the liability?
- How many batteries and what charging setup come with it?
- Who pays for damage, and what's the deposit?
- Is training included?
A "wet" rental, where the owner supplies a pilot, is really hiring a service.
Option 3: Buy
Buying gives you full control of timing, which matters when spray windows are short. It also brings the full cost: aircraft, batteries, a generator or charger, a trailer setup, insurance, training and maintenance. See spray drone cost and spray drone financing.
| Drone | Spray tank | Spray width |
|---|---|---|
| Agras T25 | 20 L | 4 to 7 m |
| Agras T50 | 40 L | 4 to 11 m |
How to decide
- Count your acres that need aerial application each season.
- Multiply by a local custom rate to see what hiring would cost per year.
- Compare with ownership cost per year: equipment spread over its working life, plus insurance, licensing, fuel, labor and parts.
- Factor in timing. If waiting for a custom applicator costs yield, owning may pay even at lower acreage.
- Consider doing custom work for neighbors to spread the cost, which needs a commercial applicator license.
Before anyone flies
Every option needs the right approvals. See spray drone license.
Rates and rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not financial or legal advice.
Want to compare costs for your acreage? Contact us for an Agras quote.
Related guides
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