Eraser IO vs Polycam

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

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-10-08
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At a glance

DimensionEraser IOPolycam
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.

Eraser IO
Eraser IO

AI diagramming for engineering teams: generate architecture, flow, and C4 diagrams from text, Terraform, or uploads — with an agent-ready MCP server.

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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/member/mo
$15/member/mo billed annually, or $20 monthly
$45/member/mo billed annually, or $60 monthly
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
13 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
WebAPIPluginCLI
WebMobile
Categories
🗺️ Diagrams, Whiteboards & Mind Maps💻 Code & Development
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
AI diagram generation from natural-language prompts
AI diagram generation from code (Terraform, Git repositories)
AI diagram generation from file uploads (PDF, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Draw.io, Visio)
Image-to-diagram (PNG, JPEG, WebP)
AI documents for design docs and technical documentation
Eraserbot: codebase diagrams synced from repositories
REST Diagramming API with POST /render (prompt or Eraser DSL to diagram)
eraser_mcp MCP server: full diagram CRUD (create, search, update, export)
MCP over HTTP and stdio transports with OAuth and API tokens
eraser_oss open-source, MIT-licensed, self-hostable variant
Diagram-as-code with Eraser markup language
AI Presets, rules, templates, and references for consistent output
Custom team styles for notation, colors, and layout
Infinite canvas with real-time collaboration, commenting, and tagging
Microsites with interactive C4 context/container/component drill-downs
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
GitHub
Notion
Confluence
VS Code
Microsoft Entra
Okta
AWS
Azure
Google Cloud
ServiceNow
VMware
Cisco
Ardoq
OrbusInfinity
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Unreal Engine
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
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

No verifiable community signal. We scanned public discussion on Jul 29, 2026 and found posts matching the name “Eraser IO”, but could not establish that they are about this product rather than something else sharing its name. Rather than publish a score built on the wrong subject, we publish none.

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 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.

More Eraser IO or Polycam comparisons

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026