Chronicle vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Chronicle | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free (limited exports), Pro $20/mo, Team custom | Free (limited exports), Pro $24.99/mo, Team custom |
| Primary Use Case | AI presentation generation | 3D scanning & photogrammetry |
| Key Feature | AI from notes, brand guidelines, freeform canvas | LiDAR scan, floor plans, drone photogrammetry |
| Export Formats | PPT, PDF, web publish | GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF |
| Integrations | Notion, Google Sheets, Airtable, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity, YouTube, Loom, Calendly, Google Calendar, Typeform | None listed |
| Latest News Relevance | MCP & API launch (Jul 2026) enables programmatic access | HDRI lighting, floor plan editor drag fix (Mar 2026) |
Choose Polycam if you need professional 3D scanning, LiDAR capture, floor plans, or drone photogrammetry for AEC/forensics/media. Choose Chronicle if you need to quickly turn raw notes and docs into on-brand, polished presentations for sales, marketing, or consulting. They serve entirely different workflows.
AI-powered 3D scanning, floor plans, and reality capture for mobile, drones, and teams.
Visit WebsiteWho should pick which
- Architect needing on-site floor plansPick: Polycam
Polycam's LiDAR scanning and automatic floor plan generation with measurements directly serve this need, with recent improvements to the floor plan editor.
- Sales rep creating pitch decksPick: Chronicle
Chronicle transforms raw notes into branded presentations quickly, with integrations to CRM and data tools, plus AI image generation.
- Forensics team documenting a crime scenePick: Polycam
Fast spatial capture and high-accuracy 3D models in PLY/LAS formats meet forensic documentation requirements.
- Marketing manager building weekly performance reportsPick: Chronicle
Chronicle can pull data from Sheets/Airtable via integrations and generate charts and slides aligned with brand guidelines.
- Drone surveyor needing orthomosaicsPick: Polycam
Polycam processes drone photogrammetry and exports to point clouds—critical for site surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chronicle vs Polycam: which should you choose?
Choose Polycam if you need professional 3D scanning, LiDAR capture, floor plans, or drone photogrammetry for AEC/forensics/media. Choose Chronicle if you need to quickly turn raw notes and docs into on-brand, polished presentations for sales, marketing, or consulting. They serve entirely different workflows.
Can Polycam generate presentations?
No, Polycam is strictly for 3D capture, floor plans, and photogrammetry—not presentations.
Can Chronicle create 3D models?
No, Chronicle creates slide decks and presentations, not 3D content.
Which tool is better for a solo founder?
Depends on the work: if 3D scanning is needed, Polycam; if pitch decks and client presentations, Chronicle.
Do both tools offer free tiers?
Yes. Polycam free has limited exports; Chronicle free allows 4 exports per month.
Which integrates with more tools?
Chronicle integrates with 11+ apps (Notion, Sheets, ChatGPT, etc.); Polycam does not list integrations.
Does Polycam support collaboration?
Polycam offers a shared team library, but real-time collaboration is not a highlight; Chronicle has real-time collaboration.
Can I export to PPT from Polycam?
No. Polycam exports 3D formats only (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, etc.).
Which tool has newer updates?
Both have recent news: Polycam added HDRI lighting and floor plan editor improvements (Mar 2026); Chronicle launched MCP & API (Jul 2026).
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026