DGM vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | DGM | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free for local use; Basic (cloud, 200 docs) ~$5/mo | Free tier limited; Pro ~$15/mo |
| 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) |
Polycam and DGM serve entirely different needs. Choose Polycam if you need to create 3D models, floor plans, or digital twins from photos/LiDAR—its AI photogrammetry and HDRI lighting are standout features. Choose DGM if you need to draw technical diagrams (UML, ERD, flowcharts) with AI code generation. They are not direct competitors, so your decision hinges on whether your work is 3D reality capture or 2D diagramming.
Free web-based sketchnoting and diagramming tool with AI code generation from diagrams
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AI-powered 3D scanning, floor plans, and reality capture for mobile, drones, and teams.
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
35 mentions across 2 sources · 25% positive — critical
Hacker News, Lemmy
What users praise
- • Generous free forever tier for local use with full features.
- • Smart shapes with constraints and scripts enable dynamic diagrams.
- • Pre-built libraries for UML, ERD, Flowchart, and UI Wireframe save time.
- • Hand-drawn style and theme-adaptive colors produce visually appealing diagrams.
What frustrates them
- • No real community feedback available due to name confusion.
- • AI code generation is experimental and not yet benchmarked.
- • Paid plans are not available yet, limiting cloud features.
- • No integrations listed with popular tools like Slack or Jira.
Researched Jul 3, 2026
Polycam
61 mentions across 4 sources · 55% positive — mixed
Hacker News, YouTube, Product Hunt, App Store
What users praise
- • Fast, easy LiDAR scans with minimal learning curve.
- • Generates mesh, floor plan, and idealized model from one scan.
- • Cross-platform with iOS, Android, and web support.
- • Free tier includes valuable tools like AI generator and Gaussian splat.
What frustrates them
- • Scan reliability is spotty: failed uploads, lost tracking, backdrop capture.
- • Dimensions and full floor plans locked behind $400 paywall.
- • Curved walls and stairs render angular, forcing Matterport for pros.
- • Confusing free/paid feature split, feels like dark patterns.
Researched Aug 18, 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
DGM vs Polycam: which should you choose?
Polycam and DGM serve entirely different needs. Choose Polycam if you need to create 3D models, floor plans, or digital twins from photos/LiDAR—its AI photogrammetry and HDRI lighting are standout features. Choose DGM if you need to draw technical diagrams (UML, ERD, flowcharts) with AI code generation. They are not direct competitors, so your decision hinges on whether your work is 3D reality capture or 2D diagramming.
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.
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026