LM Studio vs Polycam

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

Live tool data as of 2026-07-17
Reviewed by our team on
Saved

At a glance

DimensionLM StudioPolycam
Pricingfreemium · from Free $0/mofreemium · from Free $0/mo
Best forDevelopers running private local LLMs for coding and data analysis, Privacy-conscious users needing offline model inferenceArchitects and engineers needing on-site floor plans and measurements, Forensics teams requiring fast, accurate scene documentation for claims
Standout featuresRun local LLMs offline (Qwen3.6, DeepSeek, gpt-oss, etc.) · MLX engine with KV cache checkpointing · Multi-GPU via tensor parallelismAI-assisted photogrammetry from photos and video · LiDAR spatial scanning for detailed 3D objects and interiors · Automatic floor plan generation with measurements
Viability score95/10095/100
APIYesYes

LM Studio is the stronger pick for developers running private local llms for coding and data analysis; Polycam fits better for architects and engineers needing on-site floor plans and measurements.

Built from live tool data, last verified 2026-07-17.

LM Studio
LM Studio

Run local LLMs offline on your own hardware for free.

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Polycam
Polycam

AI reality capture for professional 3D scanning, floor plans, and drone mapping.

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Pricing
Freemium
Freemium
Plans
$0/mo
Contact
Contact
$0/mo
$12.50/mo (billed yearly $150/yr)
$34/mo/user (billed yearly $400/yr/user)
Contact sales
Popularity
13 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
WebMobileDesktopAPIPluginCLI
WebMobile
Categories
⚙️ Developer Infrastructure
🎭 Design & UI
Features
Run local LLMs offline (Qwen3.6, DeepSeek, gpt-oss, etc.)
MLX engine with KV cache checkpointing
Multi-GPU via tensor parallelism
MTP speculative decoding (stable)
Locally iPhone/iPad app (June 2026)
Headless llmster for Linux/cloud/CI
OpenAI-compatible API
JavaScript SDK (@lmstudio/sdk)
Python SDK (lmstudio)
MCP client support
LM Link remote access (no waitlist)
Default 8k token context length
Physical Batch Size option
Model downloads via LM Studio Hub
Security hardening
AI-assisted photogrammetry from photos and video
LiDAR spatial scanning for detailed 3D objects and interiors
Automatic floor plan generation with measurements
Drone photogrammetry processing
Gaussian splatting tool for real-time 3D rendering
HDRI lighting with 5 presets (iOS and Web)
AI 3D model generator (beta)
AI texture generator (beta)
Virtual walkthrough with shareable links
Editable floor plans with wall thickness and room labels
Export to GLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF, Geo-LAS, PTS, XYZ
Point cloud export for BIM and geospatial workflows
Shared team library for collaboration
Capture sync across iOS, Android, and Web
Apple Vision Pro viewing

Who should pick which

  • Solo developer building private AI agents
    Pick: LM Studio

    LM Studio is free, runs on local hardware, and supports OpenAI-compatible APIs and SDKs for integrating LLMs into agentic workflows.

  • Architect capturing as-built floor plans
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's LiDAR scanning and automatic floor plan generation with measurements are purpose-built for AEC professionals.

  • Privacy-conscious researcher running LLMs offline
    Pick: LM Studio

    LM Studio runs entirely offline on your machine, ensuring data never leaves your hardware.

  • Forensics team documenting a crime scene
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's fast LiDAR capture and photogrammetry provide accurate 3D documentation suitable for forensic analysis.

  • Game developer importing real-world props
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam exports to common 3D formats and integrates with Unreal Engine, Blender, and Maya, ideal for game asset creation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is better, LM Studio or Polycam?

The best choice between LM Studio and Polycam depends on your specific use case — we compare them independently on features, current pricing, integrations, and real-world signals (with an on-demand sentiment scan available for each). See the side-by-side breakdown above to match them to your needs.

What are the main differences between LM Studio and Polycam?

The key differences include pricing model, feature set, platform support, and skill level requirements. Review the full comparison on RightAIChoice for a detailed breakdown.

Is there a free version of LM Studio or Polycam?

Check the pricing section in the comparison for the latest pricing details on both tools, including free tiers, trial options, and paid plans.

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