Iliad vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Iliad | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Freemium (Pro+ $9.99/mo) | Freemium (Pro $79/mo, Enterprise custom) |
| Primary Function | Procedural material & texture generation | 3D scanning & photogrammetry |
| Key Output | PBR textures (albedo, roughness, normal) & node graphs | 3D models, floor plans, point clouds (15+ formats) |
| Device Required | Any device with browser or 3D software integration | iOS LiDAR, Android ARCore, or drone/web |
| Latest News | No recent product updates; news covers unrelated topics | 2026-02: HDRI lighting toggle added on iOS/Web; improved library sync & floor plan editor |
| Best For | Game devs, technical artists generating procedural textures | Architects, forensics, product designers capturing real-world geometry |
Polycam and Iliad serve totally different needs. Buy Polycam if you need to capture real-world spaces, objects, or drone footage into high-fidelity 3D models and floor plans—it's a mature scanning platform trusted by Fortune 500 teams. Buy Iliad if you're a 3D artist building procedural materials from text or images, especially for game engines; it's cheaper but has a narrower scope.
AI-powered 3D scanning, floor plans, and reality capture for mobile, drones, and teams.
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: Iliad 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.
Iliad
70 mentions across 4 sources · 8% positive — critical
Hacker News, App Store, Bluesky, Lemmy
What users praise
- • Outputs fully editable procedural node graphs, not flat textures.
- • PBR-ready materials with albedo, normal, roughness maps generated from prompts.
- • Non-destructive editing allows infinite variation and easy tweaks.
- • Text-to-material and image-to-material conversion in one tool.
What frustrates them
- • No real community feedback exists to validate claims.
- • App Store reviews cite Italian-only interface and launch crashes.
- • Free tier limits resolution to 2048x2048 on Pro+ only.
- • Browser-based design may introduce latency for heavy projects.
Researched Jul 6, 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 site scansPick: Polycam
Polycam automatically generates floor plans with measurements from LiDAR or photos—no manual drafting required.
- Indie game developer creating materialsPick: Iliad
Iliad's text-to-material and procedural node graphs integrate directly with Unity/Unreal for $9.99/mo, saving hours of manual texture creation.
- Forensics team documenting accident scenesPick: Polycam
Polycam's LiDAR and photogrammetry produce accurate 3D models with measurements and point cloud exports, trusted by professionals.
- Product designer scanning prototypesPick: Polycam
Capture real-world objects via iPhone LiDAR or photos into high-res 3D models for digital review, exportable in multiple formats.
- VFX artist needing custom tileable texturesPick: Iliad
Iliad's image-to-material and seed variation let you generate PBR textures quickly for use in Maya, Blender, or Unreal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Iliad vs Polycam: which should you choose?
Polycam and Iliad serve totally different needs. Buy Polycam if you need to capture real-world spaces, objects, or drone footage into high-fidelity 3D models and floor plans—it's a mature scanning platform trusted by Fortune 500 teams. Buy Iliad if you're a 3D artist building procedural materials from text or images, especially for game engines; it's cheaper but has a narrower scope.
Can I use Polycam to generate procedural materials like Iliad?
No, Polycam has a beta AI texture generator, but it's not a procedural material authoring tool—it generates textures from scans. For tileable procedural materials, you need Iliad.
Does Iliad create 3D models from photos?
No, Iliad only generates 2D textures and materials. For 3D scanning, use Polycam.
Are these tools compatible with each other?
Yes, you could scan a 3D model in Polycam, then create materials in Iliad and apply them in a 3D app—they serve different parts of a pipeline.
Which tool has a better free tier?
Both free tiers are limited: Polycam restricts exports and resolution; Iliad restricts resolution and export options. But Iliad's free tier is more usable for quick material experiments.
Do I need a LiDAR-equipped phone for Polycam?
No, Polycam also works with photos/video (AI photogrammetry) and drone footage. LiDAR improves scanning speed and accuracy.
Can I use Iliad offline?
No, Iliad requires an internet connection for AI processing. Polycam can capture offline on iOS/Android, but cloud processing needs internet.
What integrations does Polycam offer?
Polycam exports to 15+ file formats (GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, etc.) but does not directly integrate with game engines like Iliad does.
Which tool is more affordable for teams?
Iliad is cheaper per person ($9.99/mo Pro+ vs Polycam Pro at $79/mo). But teams needing scanning capabilities may find Polycam's value indispensable.
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026