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Joby vs Archer vs Lilium — What Happened to the Big Three
Two of these three are racing to certify. The third was liquidated in 2025. Here is how the comparison actually stands now.
| Specification | Joby Aviation | Archer Aviation | Lilium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Range | 150 mi | 100 mi | 155 mi Best |
| Top Speed | 200 mph Best | 150 mph | 175 mph |
| Cruise Speed | 165 mph Best | 130 mph | 162 mph |
| Seats | 5 | 5 | 7 Best |
| Noise | 65 dB | 45 dB Best | 60 dB |
| Launch | 2,026 Best | 2,027 | — |
| Funding | 3,400 M USD Best | 2,000 M USD | 1,500 M USD |
| About | The most advanced US programme. Joby is in Stage 5 TIA flight testing with the FAA and is preparing first commercial passenger… | The clearest second mover in the US. Archer has had all 797 means-of-compliance documents accepted by the FAA and is the official… | Ceased operations. The Munich ducted-fan jet programme was liquidated in 2025 after two insolvencies; assets were broken up and no aircraft entered… |
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Lilium has the longest range, Joby Aviation is the fastest, and Lilium carries the most passengers.
This comparison is kept because it is still widely searched, but it needs an important correction: Lilium no longer exists. It was liquidated in February 2025 after two insolvencies and its airframes were scrapped. It cannot be chartered and should not be part of a buying decision.
That leaves a two-way race. Joby is in Stage 5 TIA flight testing, the final stage of FAA type certification, and is preparing first passenger service in Dubai. Archer has had all 797 of its means-of-compliance documents accepted and is in Phase 4 formal testing, with the LA28 Olympics as its showcase.
The two aircraft are more alike than their marketing suggests. Both are tilt-propeller designs carrying four passengers and a pilot at around 150 to 200 mph. Joby claims longer range at 150 miles against Archer’s 100. Archer optimised instead for rapid turnaround on short back-to-back hops, which may matter more in practice than headline range.
Lilium’s failure is instructive. Its 30-fan ducted design promised the highest cruise speed in the sector but was the least efficient in hover, and hover is where an eVTOL spends its most demanding energy. Combined with a regional rather than urban mission, it needed far more battery performance than existed. If you are comparing programmes, weight hover efficiency and certification progress over top speed.