DGM vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | DGM | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Use Case | Diagramming & sketchnoting | 3D scanning & photogrammetry |
| AI Capabilities | AI code generation from diagrams (GPT-4 Vision, experimental) | AI photogrammetry, AI 3D model/texture generator (beta) |
| Export Formats | PNG, SVG | GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF |
| Platform | Web (no desktop app) | iOS, Android, Web |
| Latest News | No recent updates | HDRI lighting, compact library, floor plan editor improvements (Mar 2026) |
Browser-based sketchnoting and diagramming with AI code generation from your diagrams
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Polycam turns phone LiDAR, photos, and drone footage into 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds.
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: DGM 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.
DGM
69 mentions across 4 sources · 43% positive — mixed (averaged across 4 sources)
Hacker News, YouTube, GitHub, Lemmy
What users praise
- • Free tier is genuinely free forever, including exports and revision history.
- • Smart shapes with constraints, properties, and scripts boost diagramming productivity.
- • Pre-built libraries for UML, ERD, Flowchart, and Wireframe cover common needs.
- • Hand-drawn aesthetic keeps diagrams approachable and friendly.
What frustrates them
- • Very little direct community feedback to validate real-world performance.
- • Collaboration is experimental and likely unstable for team use.
- • No desktop app, limiting offline access and native features.
- • AI feature is experimental and may produce unreliable code.
Researched Aug 31, 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 needing on-site floor plansPick: Polycam
Polycam's automatic floor plan generation with measurements and drag-overlap fix is purpose-built for this. DGM lacks any spatial capture.
- Software developer documenting system architecturePick: DGM
DGM provides UML, ERD, flowchart libraries and AI code generation from diagrams—ideal for technical docs.
- Product designer scanning prototypesPick: Polycam
Polycam's LiDAR and photogrammetry create digital 3D models of physical objects; DGM cannot handle 3D.
- Educator creating sketchnotes for lessonsPick: DGM
DGM's hand-drawn style shapes and fonts are perfect for visual teaching materials. Polycam is 3D-only.
- Forensics team documenting crime scenesPick: Polycam
Fast, accurate 3D scene capture with measurements and point clouds is critical. DGM irrelevant.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DGM create 3D models like Polycam?
No, DGM is a 2D diagramming tool. It cannot perform 3D scanning or photogrammetry.
Can Polycam generate code from diagrams?
No, Polycam focuses on 3D capture and modeling. It doesn't generate code from diagrams.
Which tool is more affordable?
DGM has a cheaper paid plan (~$5/mo) and a generous free tier. Polycam's Pro is ~$15/mo with a limited free tier.
Do both tools work offline?
DGM supports local files without cloud (free tier). Polycam requires cloud processing for most features; capture can be done offline but upload is needed.
Which tool has better collaboration features?
DGM offers real-time collaboration (experimental) and web publishing. Polycam has a shared team library but no real-time co-editing.
What file formats do they export?
Polycam exports to 15+ 3D formats (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, point clouds, etc.). DGM exports to PNG and SVG.
Do they have AI features?
Both: Polycam has AI photogrammetry, AI 3D model/texture generators (beta). DGM has experimental AI code generation from diagrams via GPT-4 Vision.
Which tool is better for floor plans?
Polycam, which automatically generates floor plans with measurements from LiDAR or photos. DGM lacks this capability.
More DGM or Polycam comparisons
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026