The global drone market is growing every year. The number of applications is increasing: from search and rescue, security, surveillance to science and research and unmanned cargo systems. A limiting factor for drone exploitation is that for the energy storage, normally, a battery is used and this solution affects flight time. A possible solution could be the utilization of fuel cells. This paper focuses on the utilization of fuel cells power as an alternative solution for drone propulsion. The aim of the study is to determine when it is more appropriate, in terms of mass, to use a battery or a hybrid (fuel cell + battery) system to power drones. To compare the different systems, a numerical simulation model has been developed in order to choose the best power system once the drone operation profile has been defined. The model allows comparing different type of fuels and battery systems. The data to tune the model have been taken from commercial products, today already available. The simulation model considers a light-weight open-air cathode PEM (Polymer Exchange Membrane) fuel cell. The stack power output is chosen according to the mission profile and rages from 200 W to 1000 W. The presented results show that, for the considered drone segment, multirotor drones with weight of 7 kg at take-off, lithium batteries are still the best choice for time flight shorter than about 1 h. A hybrid system, appears to be interesting for longer flights. For example, it has been calculated that a hybrid quadcopter drone with a mass of 7 kg, considering a flight profile that requires 1089 Wh can be powered with a 4.4 kg hybrid system composed by a 500 W and 1.4 kg PEM fuel cell system, 1.9 kg hydrogen composite pressure vessel and a 0.8 kg lithium battery. The same amount of energy can be stored in a lithium battery with a weight of about 6.6 kg. These means a weight saving of more than 30%. The hybrid system, in term of weight, is even more convenient for flight profiles that require more energy. (C) 2018 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.