Eraser IO vs Polycam

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

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-08-24
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At a glance

DimensionEraser IOPolycam
PricingFree limited; Team $8/mo per user; Business $15/mo per userFree limited tier; Pro $14.99/mo or $99.99/yr
Best forTechnical diagramming and documentation for software teams3D scanning, floor plans, reality capture for AEC
Core technologyAI diagram generation, diagram-as-codePhotogrammetry, LiDAR, AI 3D generation
Output formatsPNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown15+ 3D formats (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, etc.)
IntegrationsGitHub, VS Code, Notion, Confluence, APILimited (export only)
CollaborationReal-time collaboration, version history, live embedsShared library (team uploads)

Polycam and Eraser IO serve completely different needs: Polycam is a reality capture tool for 3D scanning and floor plans, while Eraser IO is a diagram-as-code platform for software documentation. Choose Polycam if you work with physical spaces or objects; choose Eraser IO if you need to communicate system architecture through code-driven diagrams.

Try Eraser IOTry Polycam
Eraser IO
Eraser IO

AI diagramming and technical documentation for engineering teams

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Polycam
Polycam

AI-powered 3D scanning, floor plans, and reality capture for mobile, drones, and teams.

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Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Plans
$0/member/mo
$15/member/mo billed annually, or $20 monthly
$45/member/mo billed annually, or $60 monthly
Custom
$0/mo
$12.50/mo (yearly) or $30/mo (monthly)
$25/mo per user (yearly) or $400/mo per user (monthly)
$1200/yr per seat (3 seats minimum)
Popularity
4 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
WebAPIPluginCLI
WebMobileAPI
Categories
🗺️ Diagrams, Whiteboards & Mind Maps💻 Code & Development
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
AI diagram generation from natural language, code, or file uploads
Diagram-as-code with Eraser markup language
AI Presets and custom styles with naming/notation rules
Template grounding with reference architectures, PCI boundaries
Eraserbot: codebase diagrams that sync from repositories
MCP server (eraser_mcp) for AI agent diagram CRUD
Open-source variant (eraser_oss) self-hostable under MIT license
Diagramming API (REST) for programmatic diagram generation
Microsites with interactive drill-downs (C4 context/container/component)
Infinite canvas with real-time collaboration and commenting
Export to PDF, PNG, SVG, and Markdown
GitHub integration with PR creation
VS Code extension for in-editor diagramming
SAML SSO with Microsoft Entra and Okta
3000+ tech icons and custom icon support
LiDAR spatial scanning for rooms and buildings
Object capture with AI-assisted processing
Photogrammetry from photos/video (up to 2000 images on Business)
Drone photogrammetry processing for aerial models
2D and 3D floor plan generation with editable walls
AI 3D model generator (beta)
AI texture generator (beta)
Gaussian splatting tool
HDRI lighting with 5 presets (iOS and Web)
Virtual Walkthrough (full on Business, preview on Free/Basic)
Apple Vision Pro viewing
Point cloud exports (PLY, LAS, Geo-LAS, PTS, XYZ, DXF)
Mesh exports (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, DAE, STL, USDZ, ESX)
360 photosphere capture
API access (Enterprise)
Integrations
GitHub
Notion
Confluence
VS Code
Microsoft Entra
Okta
Xactimate
SketchUp
Apple Vision Pro

What real users say: Eraser IO 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.

Eraser IO

38 mentions across 2 sources · 38% positive — critical

YouTube, Lemmy

What users praise

  • • AI generates architecture diagrams from natural language in seconds.
  • • Diagram-as-code using Eraser markup ensures version-controlled, consistent visuals.
  • • Eraserbot auto-updates diagrams by scanning code repositories.
  • • Integrates with GitHub, Notion, Confluence, and VS Code.

What frustrates them

  • • Free tier is too limited for meaningful evaluation.
  • • Free alternatives like Excalidraw or Mermaid offer similar functionality.
  • • Community feedback is sparse and mostly from promotional YouTube videos.
  • • AI-generated diagrams may need manual correction for accuracy.

Researched Jul 29, 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 floor plans from on-site scans
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam generates automatic floor plans with measurements from LiDAR or photos, directly supporting AEC workflows.

  • Software engineer documenting microservices architecture
    Pick: Eraser IO

    Eraser IO's AI generates diagrams from prompts and keeps them version-controlled in GitHub, perfect for DevOps docs.

  • Forensics team needing fast 3D scene capture
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's LiDAR and photogrammetry quickly produce accurate 3D models and point clouds for evidence preservation.

  • Technical consultant creating system design docs for clients
    Pick: Eraser IO

    Eraser IO's live diagrams embed in Confluence/Notion, and diagram-as-code ensures consistency across deliverables.

  • Product designer scanning prototypes for digital review
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam captures detailed 3D objects with textures, exportable to GLTF/OBJ for CAD or rendering.

Frequently Asked Questions

Eraser IO vs Polycam: which should you choose?

Polycam and Eraser IO serve completely different needs: Polycam is a reality capture tool for 3D scanning and floor plans, while Eraser IO is a diagram-as-code platform for software documentation. Choose Polycam if you work with physical spaces or objects; choose Eraser IO if you need to communicate system architecture through code-driven diagrams.

Can Polycam generate diagrams like Eraser IO?

No. Polycam focuses on 3D capture and floor plans, not diagram-as-code.

Can Eraser IO create 3D models?

No. Eraser IO is a 2D diagramming and documentation tool with no 3D capabilities.

Which tool integrates with GitHub?

Eraser IO has native GitHub integration for committing diagrams. Polycam has no GitHub integration.

Does Polycam require LiDAR hardware?

No. Polycam works with photos and video from any device, but LiDAR (iOS Pro) improves accuracy.

Can Eraser IO be used offline?

Eraser IO is primarily web-based; there is no offline desktop app. Polycam has mobile apps for offline capture.

Which tool is better for real-time collaboration?

Eraser IO offers real-time collaborative editing. Polycam's collaboration is limited to a shared library without live editing.

What export formats does Polycam support?

GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF, and point cloud formats.

What integrations does Eraser IO support?

Confluence, Notion, VS Code, GitHub, MCP, and a diagramming API.

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Explore each tool further

Eraser IO
View Eraser IO reviewEraser IO alternatives
Polycam
View Polycam reviewPolycam alternatives

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026