3d Scanner App™ vs Polycam

Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-10-09
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At a glance

Dimension3d Scanner App™Polycam
Device PlatformiOS only (iPhone/iPad)iOS, Android, Web (capture mobile, edit web)
LiDAR RequiredNo (photogrammetry mode on non-LiDAR)No (photos/video also work)
Export FormatsUSDZ, OBJ, STL, PLY, GLTFGLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF (15+)
Special CapabilitiesMeasurement tool, AR QuickLook, iMessage sharing, on-device editingFloor plan generation, drone photogrammetry, Gaussian splatting, AI texture gen
Latest NewsDomain migration to 3DScannerLidar.com (no app changes)HDRI lighting added (5 presets), improved library UI, drag-overlap fix in floor plan editor

For professionals needing floor plans, drone support, and AI-powered features, Polycam is the clear choice with more export formats and cross-platform capture. Casual iOS users or those wanting a simple, on-device LiDAR scanner with quick AR sharing should pick 3D Scanner App for its ease of use and lower friction.

3d Scanner App™
3d Scanner App™

LiDAR 3D scanning for iPhone and iPad — capture rooms and objects, then export OBJ, STL, PLY, USDZ, or GLTF.

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Polycam
Polycam

Polycam turns phone LiDAR, photos, and drone footage into 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds.

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Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Plans
$0
$69.99/year billed annually
Custom
$0
$150/year ($12.50/month billed yearly; $30/month billed
$400/year per user ($33/month per user billed yearly)
$1200/year per user (3 users minimum, billed yearly)
Popularity
21 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Beginner-friendly
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
MobileDesktop
WebMobile
Categories
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
LiDAR scanning with millimeter-level precision on iPhone Pro and iPad Pro
Photogrammetry scanning that builds textured models from iPhone camera photos
Real-time 3D preview while you scan
Tap-to-measure tool for pulling dimensions from a scan
On-device editing: crop, trim, and smooth scans
Enhanced on-device model editor
On-device processing keeps scans private and avoids server round trips
Export in OBJ format
Export in STL format for 3D printing
Export in PLY format
Export in USDZ format for AR QuickLook
Export in GLTF format
Scale-accurate measurements for CAD and BIM workflows
AR QuickLook sharing via iMessage and Mail
macOS companion version on the Mac App Store
LiDAR and non-LiDAR space capture of rooms, buildings, and interiors
360 photosphere capture with an in-app 360 image viewer
Object capture turning phone photos into instantly shareable 3D models
AI Capture mode generating 3D models from low photo counts
Instant 3D and editable 2D floor plans with auto fixture and furniture detection
Advanced measure tools: interior measure, pen measure, and auto measure
Automated measurements, floor area, blueprints, room labels, and compass
Drone and aerial photogrammetry processed into expansive site models
Photogrammetry up to 2000 images and 30-minute videos on Business and Enterprise
Gaussian splatting with unlimited splats on Basic and up
AI 3D model generator and AI texture generator (free web tools)
AI generated reports and custom branding on Business and Enterprise
Virtual walkthroughs and shared team library on Business and up
Mesh exports: GLTF, OBJ, FBX, DAE, STL, USDZ, ESX
Point cloud exports: PLY, LAS, Geo-LAS, PTS, XYZ, DXF
Integrations
iMessage
AirDrop
iCloud
Mail
Mac App Store
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Unreal Engine
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

What real users say: 3d Scanner App™ vs Polycam

Not marketing copy and not our opinion — a structured sweep of public discussion (reviews, forums, communities and video comments), showing what people praise and what they complain about for each tool.

3d Scanner App™

31 mentions across 2 sources · 43% positive — mixed (averaged across 2 sources)

Product Hunt, App Store

What users praise

  • • Professional-grade LiDAR and photogrammetry scanning on iPhone/iPad.
  • • Real-time 3D preview and on-device editing tools.
  • • Seamless integration with Apple ecosystem: AR QuickLook, iMessage.
  • • Export in multiple formats: USDZ, OBJ, STL, PLY, GLTF.

What frustrates them

  • • Core scanning features locked behind subscription.
  • • Free tier is extremely limited, barely useful.
  • • Subscription model feels unjustified for local processing.
  • • Original developer sold out, breaking user trust.

Researched Jul 3, 2026

Polycam

68 mentions across 5 sources · 42% positive — mixed (weighted across 5 sources)

Reddit, Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, App Store

What users praise

  • • Produces usable point clouds and meshes from a plain iPhone in a single site visit
  • • Genuinely fast — users report scan-to-model turnaround in minutes, not days
  • • Broad export coverage: seven mesh formats plus six point cloud formats
  • • Fire investigators use it for measurements, 3D models, and Meta Quest walkthrough training

What frustrates them

  • • Aggressive trial auto-billing: multiple users report $400/yr charges after 7-day trials
  • • Long-standing Pro users report older scans reverting to unprocessable Draft status
  • • Measurements and dimensions sit behind an expensive tier above the monthly plan
  • • Floor plans described as poor and measurements 'very inaccurate' by paying users

Researched Oct 7, 2026

Who should pick which

  • Architect/Engineer
    Pick: Polycam

    Needs floor plan generation, measurements, and drone mapping; Polycam's floor plan editor and drone support are unmatched by 3D Scanner App.

  • Casual iOS User / Maker
    Pick: 3d Scanner App™

    Simple, on-device scanning with no cloud dependency; quick AR sharing and 3D printing export at a lower cost.

  • Product Designer / Media Creator
    Pick: Polycam

    AI texture generator and multiple export formats (e.g., FBX for game engines) plus easier cleanup via Blender integration from Polycam's tutorials.

  • Real Estate Agent
    Pick: Polycam

    Automatic floor plans and virtual walkthroughs; 3D Scanner App lacks these but is cheaper for simple room scans.

  • Forensics / Documentation
    Pick: Polycam

    Point cloud export (LAS/PLY) and georeferencing with CloudCompare tutorial support; 3D Scanner App limited to CAD formats.

Frequently Asked Questions

3d Scanner App™ vs Polycam: which should you choose?

For professionals needing floor plans, drone support, and AI-powered features, Polycam is the clear choice with more export formats and cross-platform capture. Casual iOS users or those wanting a simple, on-device LiDAR scanner with quick AR sharing should pick 3D Scanner App for its ease of use and lower friction.

Do I need a LiDAR device for Polycam?

No, Polycam works with photos/video from any device (including Android) and LiDAR on iPhone/iPad. 3D Scanner App also works without LiDAR via photogrammetry.

Which app is better for 3D printing?

Both export STL. Polycam offers more cleanup tools (Blender integration tutorials) and AI texture generation. 3D Scanner App is simpler for quick scans.

Can I export point clouds?

Yes, Polycam exports PLY, LAS, DXF. 3D Scanner App exports PLY but not LAS or DXF.

Is there a free version?

Both have free tiers. Polycam free limited to a few exports and lower resolution. 3D Scanner App free includes watermark and limited editing.

Which works on Android?

Polycam supports Android capture and web editing. 3D Scanner App is iOS only.

Do they support drone photogrammetry?

Polycam explicitly supports drone image uploads. 3D Scanner App does not.

Can I generate floor plans?

Polycam has automatic floor plan generation with a drag-overlap editor. 3D Scanner App does not.

Which app offers AI features?

Polycam has beta AI 3D generator and AI texture generator. 3D Scanner App relies on manual capture and editing only.

More 3d Scanner App™ or Polycam comparisons

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026