Eraser IO vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Eraser IO | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Technical diagramming and documentation for software teams | 3D scanning, floor plans, reality capture for AEC |
| Core technology | AI diagram generation, diagram-as-code | Photogrammetry, LiDAR, AI 3D generation |
| Output formats | PNG, SVG, PDF, Markdown | 15+ 3D formats (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, etc.) |
| Integrations | GitHub, VS Code, Notion, Confluence, API | Limited (export only) |
| Collaboration | Real-time collaboration, version history, live embeds | Shared 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.

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 turns phone LiDAR, photos, and drone footage into 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds.
Visit WebsiteWhat 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 scansPick: Polycam
Polycam generates automatic floor plans with measurements from LiDAR or photos, directly supporting AEC workflows.
- Software engineer documenting microservices architecturePick: 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 capturePick: Polycam
Polycam's LiDAR and photogrammetry quickly produce accurate 3D models and point clouds for evidence preservation.
- Technical consultant creating system design docs for clientsPick: 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 reviewPick: 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
Don't cross-shop these. Polycam is a capture tool that turns the physical world — rooms, prototypes, job sites — into 3D models, floor plans, and point clouds you export to SketchUp, Blender, or Unity
These are not competitors and you should never be choosing between them — Polycam is a capture tool that turns a phone, drone, or LiDAR scan into a 3D model, floor plan, or point cloud, and Notion is
These two don't compete — a buyer almost never chooses between them. Polycam is a capture tool: you point a phone, drone or LiDAR at a physical space and get floor plans, meshes and point clouds you c
These two products never meet in a buying decision, and treating them as rivals would mislead you. If your problem is documenting a physical site — rooms, buildings, props, a claims scene — Polycam is
These tools don't compete — they solve unrelated problems, and no buyer shortlists both. If your problem is running open models locally (GLM, Kimi, DeepSeek, Qwen3.8) for private agentic work, LM Stud
You are not choosing between these. Polycam and Sketch solve different problems for different people, and no buyer with one budget and one job shortlists both. Pick Polycam if you need to digitise a p
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026