Which eVTOL Stock Is Best? Archer and Joby Await 2026 Regulatory Approval.

December 17, 2025 at 05:40 PM•1 min read

Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, leading eVTOL stock contenders, must secure aircraft regulatory approval by 2026.

Key Points

1Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation are recognized as the dominant competitors vying for market share in the rapidly expanding eVTOL manufacturing sector.
2Neither manufacturer has yet secured the necessary type certification or airworthiness approval required by aviation regulators for commercial flight operations.
3Investment analysts suggest that obtaining the regulatory green light in 2026 will be the critical factor determining which eVTOL stock offers the better long-term return.

The commercial aviation investment landscape is closely monitoring the rivalry between Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation, two frontrunners in the burgeoning electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector. As both companies advance toward launching commercial operations, their stock performance is intrinsically linked to achieving key developmental milestones, particularly the crucial step of regulatory airworthiness certification.

Currently, neither Archer’s nor Joby’s prototype aircraft has received final type certification from major regulators, such as the US FAA. This lack of full regulatory approval means that both companies remain speculative investments, despite their technological progress and strategic partnerships.

However, industry analysts project that 2026 will be the pivotal year when one or both manufacturers could secure the necessary approvals to begin large-scale production and commercial service introduction. This anticipated regulatory green light is expected to serve as the primary catalyst determining which stock offers superior value and growth potential in the near term, shifting the focus from technological promise to operational readiness and market execution.