KIRI Engine 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

DimensionKIRI EnginePolycam
Best For3D printing, game assets, NeRF/3DGS scanningAEC floor plans, drone mapping, professional scanning
Unique TechNeRF featureless scan, 3DGS with mesh exportAI 3D generator (beta), automatic floor plans
Export FormatsOBJ, STL, GLTF, FBX, USDZGLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, DXF + more
PlatformiOS, Android, Web (no desktop)iOS, Android, Web, desktop (browser)
Recent News ImpactNo recent updatesHDRI lighting now live; floor plan editor improved

If you need advanced scanning of challenging surfaces (shiny/transparent) or 3DGS for real-time assets, KIRI Engine is the winner. For professional AEC workflows, automatic floor plans, or drone scanning, Polycam’s broader export list and professional support make it the better choice.

Try KIRI EngineTry Polycam
KIRI Engine
KIRI Engine

Mobile 3D scanning app that turns real objects and rooms into printable and game-ready 3D assets using photogrammetry, LiDAR, NeRF, and 3D Gaussian Splatting.

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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/mo
$79.99/year (about $6.66/mo billed annually)
$17.99/mo
$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
31 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Beginner-friendly
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
WebMobile
WebMobile
Categories
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
Photo Scan photogrammetry
LiDAR Scan (room, scene, and object capture, iOS with LiDAR)
Featureless Object Scan (NeRF-derived, for shiny/reflective/transparent/simple-color objects)
3D Gaussian Splatting scan with mesh export
Mesh-inclusive 3DGS export for other 3D software
AI-generated PBR materials: Albedo, Roughness, Normal, Displacement maps
Quad Mesh retopology with selectable poly count
Quad Mesh curve ratio selection
Dynamic decimation to reduce poly count
Auto-rig generation for animation and motion capture
High-poly export with million-level vertices and up to 8K textures
Advanced camera control (shutter speed, exposure value, and more)
In-app cropping and texturing tools
STL export for 3D printing
3D model embedder for websites
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
Blender
Unreal Engine
Tripo
VIVERSE
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

What real users say: KIRI Engine 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.

KIRI Engine

61 mentions across 4 sources · 43% positive — mixed (averaged across 4 sources)

Hacker News, YouTube, App Store, Lemmy

What users praise

  • • Generous free tier: no ads, no watermarks, unlimited exports.
  • • Multi-mode scanning supports photogrammetry, LiDAR, NeRF, and 3DGS.
  • • Produce production-ready assets directly on mobile with PBR materials.
  • • 3DGS export with option to generate physical mesh — unique capability.

What frustrates them

  • • App crashes on long LiDAR scans and loses unsaved progress.
  • • Dimensional inaccuracy in Gaussian scans compared to rivals.
  • • Support responds slowly or not at all to billing/refund issues.
  • • Pro features like PBR and quad mesh are essential but paid.

Researched Aug 27, 2026

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

  • 3D printing hobbyist
    Pick: KIRI Engine

    KIRI Engine's quad mesh retopology, decimation, and OBJ/STL exports produce manifold, low-poly models ideal for printing.

  • Architect needing floor plans
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's automatic floor plan generation and measurements are purpose-built for AEC, with recent editor improvements.

  • Game developer creating real-time assets
    Pick: KIRI Engine

    KIRI Engine's 3DGS with mesh export, FBX/GLTF support, and auto-rigging streamline game asset creation.

  • Drone mapping professional
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam processes drone imagery into 3D models and point clouds, with exports like PLY and LAS for GIS.

  • VFX artist scanning shiny props
    Pick: KIRI Engine

    NeRF featureless scan handles reflective/transparent objects that photogrammetry fails on.

Frequently Asked Questions

KIRI Engine vs Polycam: which should you choose?

If you need advanced scanning of challenging surfaces (shiny/transparent) or 3DGS for real-time assets, KIRI Engine is the winner. For professional AEC workflows, automatic floor plans, or drone scanning, Polycam’s broader export list and professional support make it the better choice.

Can KIRI Engine scan shiny objects?

Yes, using its NeRF-based featureless object scan mode, it captures shiny and transparent surfaces that standard photogrammetry cannot.

Does Polycam support drone scanning?

Yes, Polycam has a dedicated drone photogrammetry processing feature for capturing large sites from aerial images.

Which tool exports point clouds?

Polycam exports point cloud formats like PLY, LAS, and DXF; KIRI Engine does not include point cloud exports.

Can I use KIRI Engine offline?

Processing is cloud-based, so an internet connection is required. Capture itself can be done offline, but processing and export need connectivity.

Is Polycam free?

It has a free tier limited to 5 captures per month; Pro costs $9.99/month or $79.99/year.

Which tool has better mesh editing tools?

KIRI Engine offers PBR materials, quad mesh retopology, auto-rigging, and decimation, giving it stronger built-in mesh editing for 3D printing and game assets.

Does Polycam have AI model generation?

Yes, Polycam includes a beta AI 3D model generator and an AI texture generator, which are not available in KIRI Engine.

Which app is better for interior design?

Polycam is better with its automatic floor plan generation, measurements, and HDRI lighting presets (added Feb 2026), essential for interior documentation.

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Explore each tool further

KIRI Engine
View KIRI Engine reviewKIRI Engine alternatives
Polycam
View Polycam reviewPolycam alternatives

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026