Lotas vs Polycam

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

Analysis reviewed Live tool data as of 2026-10-09
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At a glance

DimensionLotasPolycam
Core FocusAI automation for data science & 3D workflows3D scanning, photogrammetry, floor plans
Key FeaturesAutomated data cleaning, visualization, code generation, 3D rendering pipeline optimizationLiDAR scanning, AI photogrammetry, floor plan editor, drone photogrammetry, Gaussian splatting, HDRI lighting, AI 3D & texture generator
Platform/MaturityLimited public info, early stageCross-platform (iOS, Android, Web), mature, Fortune 500 adoption
Export FormatsNot specifiedGLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF
Best ForData scientists, 3D professionals (needs evaluation)Architects, engineers, forensics, product designers, media creators

If you need proven, production-ready 3D scanning and floor plan generation across devices, Polycam is the clear winner with a generous free tier and mature features like LiDAR scanning, AI photogrammetry, and HDRI lighting. Lotas, despite its intriguing dual data science/3D automation angle, lacks public feature details, pricing transparency, and recent news, making it a risky choice unless you can evaluate via direct contact. For most buyers, Polycam delivers immediate value; Lotas is a speculative alternative for niche workflow automation needs.

Lotas
Lotas

Early-stage AI platform aiming to unify data science and 3D workflow automation behind a founders-only contact page.

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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
Contact Sales
Freemium
Plans
—
$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
3 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Advanced
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
—
WebMobile
Categories
📊 Data & Analytics🧊 3D Generation & Scanning
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
Contact-only signup via founders' email addresses
Stated aim of automated data cleaning and preprocessing
Stated aim of AI code generation for data analysis
Stated aim of 3D model optimization
Stated aim of rendering pipeline automation
Stated aim of a single interface covering data and 3D work
Direct access to co-founders for onboarding
Custom enterprise onboarding discussions
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
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Unreal Engine
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

What real users say: Lotas 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.

Lotas

47 mentions across 3 sources · 30% positive — critical (averaged across 3 sources)

Hacker News, Bluesky, Lemmy

What users praise

  • • Provides AI coding assistance directly inside RStudio.
  • • Open-source codebase on GitHub encourages community contributions.
  • • No need for users to manage their own API keys.
  • • Aimed at a large RStudio user base of ~2 million.

What frustrates them

  • • Forked RStudio requires rebuild on each RStudio update.
  • • No option to bring your own model API keys.
  • • Pricing is opaque – no public pricing page.
  • • 3D workflow capabilities unverified by real users.

Researched Jul 3, 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

  • Solo founder
    Pick: Polycam

    Free tier and low-cost Pro plan allow professional 3D scanning without upfront investment. Proven results, cross-platform, and constant updates.

  • Data scientist exploring 3D automation
    Pick: Lotas

    If their primary need is AI-driven data prep for 3D pipelines, Lotas might address that, but only after evaluating through contact. Otherwise, Polycam is safer.

  • Architect needing on-site floor plans
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's automatic floor plan generation with editor, measurements, and export to DXF/DWG is a direct fit. HDRI lighting adds rendering flexibility.

  • Forensics team requiring fast documentation
    Pick: Polycam

    LiDAR scanning, Gaussian splatting, and export to point clouds (LAS, PLY) meet accuracy needs. Polycam's speed and Fortune 500 adoption assure reliability.

  • 3D professional seeking workflow automation
    Pick: Lotas

    Lotas claims to automate repetitive tasks in data science and 3D. If proven effective, it could reduce manual effort, but must verify via demo. Polycam's Blender tutorial shows it pairs with existing tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

Lotas vs Polycam: which should you choose?

If you need proven, production-ready 3D scanning and floor plan generation across devices, Polycam is the clear winner with a generous free tier and mature features like LiDAR scanning, AI photogrammetry, and HDRI lighting. Lotas, despite its intriguing dual data science/3D automation angle, lacks public feature details, pricing transparency, and recent news, making it a risky choice unless you can evaluate via direct contact. For most buyers, Polycam delivers immediate value; Lotas is a speculative alternative for niche workflow automation needs.

What is the main difference between Polycam and Lotas?

Polycam is a mature 3D scanning and floor plan tool with a free tier and transparent pricing; Lotas is an early-stage AI automation platform for data science and 3D with no public features or pricing.

Which tool is better for 3D scanning on iOS?

Polycam, because it natively supports LiDAR scanning on iOS and offers AI photogrammetry, Gaussian splatting, and HDRI lighting. Lotas does not mention any scanning capability.

Does Lotas offer a free trial?

Not publicly. Lotas only has a contact page; you must reach out to inquire about access or pricing.

Can Polycam export to point cloud formats?

Yes, Polycam exports to PLY, LAS, and other point cloud formats, suitable for georeferencing and analysis in CloudCompare.

Is Lotas suitable for architects?

Unclear. Lotas focuses on data science and 3D automation, but without specific features, architects are better off with Polycam's floor plan editor and measurement tools.

Which tool has better support and updates?

Polycam, with frequent updates (e.g., HDRI lighting in Feb 2026, UI improvements in Mar 2026) and active tutorials. Lotas has no recent news.

Can I use Polycam for drone photogrammetry?

Yes, Polycam processes drone images for 3D models and mapping, ideal for site surveys.

What is the pricing for Polycam?

Polycam is freemium: Free tier with basic features; Pro ~$24/mo; Pro+ ~$80/mo; annual discounts available. HDRI lighting and floor plan editor are in paid plans.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026