Mach 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

DimensionMachPolycam
Primary UseCivil road feature extraction from mobile LiDAR3D scanning objects, interiors, floor plans, drones
AI StrengthAutomated extraction of paint lines, curbs, poles, signsPhotogrammetry, Gaussian splatting, AI model/texture generator
Output FormatsAutoCAD, Microstation, ESRI Feature ServiceGLTF, OBJ, FBX, USDZ, PLY, LAS, STL, DAE, ESX, DXF
Hardware IntegrationRiegl, Trimble, Leica, NavVis (mobile mapping)iOS LiDAR, Android ARCore, drones, photos/video
Target IndustryCivil engineering, transportation, surveying, telecomArchitecture, forensics, product design, media, AEC

Polycam and Mach serve entirely different use cases. Choose Polycam if you need affordable, versatile 3D scanning (objects, interiors, floor plans, drones) with a free tier and rich exports. Choose Mach if you are a civil engineering firm that needs automated, design-grade road feature extraction from mobile LiDAR data (100x faster). Most buyers will not cross-shop them; the decision is about domain, not features.

Mach
Mach

Mach9 turns raw LiDAR and reality-capture scans into design-ready CAD linework for civil infrastructure, from curbs to striping to poles.

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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
Contact sales
$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
2 views
7.5k views
Skill Level
Intermediate
Beginner-friendly
API Available
Platforms
Web
WebMobile
Categories
👷 Construction & Field Service
🧊 3D Generation & Scanning🏠 Interior Design & Architecture👷 Construction & Field Service
Features
AI auto-extraction of breaklines, curbs, striping, poles, signs, and wires from point clouds
Centimeter-level accuracy feature drafting at infrastructure scale
Web-based CAD software with manual editing tools
Accept-a-line, nudge-a-vertex, or draw-manually refinement on AI output
System-agnostic ingest for mobile, terrestrial, and drone reality capture data
Built-in QC flags that surface features needing human review
Export to DXF, DGN, Esri Feature Services, Geodatabase, JSON, and Shapefile
Field-to-finish survey format exports
Leica LGSx integration for direct data delivery from Leica hardware
Digital Surveyor 2 for up to 100x faster project delivery
Works with Leica, Phoenix, RIEGL, Trimble, and NavVis capture hardware
Full QA in a single interface without switching between systems
Scalable processing from a single site to an entire infrastructure network
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
Leica
Leica LGSx
RIEGL
Trimble
NavVis
Phoenix
Esri Feature Services
AutoCAD
MicroStation
SketchUp
Xactimate
Unity
Blender
Unreal Engine
Maya
3ds Max
Rhino
Three.js
Apple Vision Pro

What real users say: Mach 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.

Mach

No verifiable community signal. We scanned public discussion on Jul 28, 2026 and found posts matching the name “Mach”, 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

  • Solo architect
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam offers affordable floor plans, LiDAR scanning, and photogrammetry from any device. Free tier to start, then low-cost Pro.

  • Civil engineering firm
    Pick: Mach

    Mach automates road feature extraction from mobile LiDAR (Riegl, Leica, etc.) and delivers design-grade CAD output. 100x faster per v2.

  • Forensic analyst
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's photogrammetry and LiDAR scanning produce accurate scene captures. Exports to PLY, LAS, OBJ for evidence documentation.

  • Transportation agency
    Pick: Mach

    Mach extracts paint lines, curbs, signs, and poles from mobile mapping data with standard-compliant exports to AutoCAD/Microstation.

  • Gaming/VFX artist
    Pick: Polycam

    Polycam's Gaussian splatting, AI textures, and HDRI presets streamline prop scanning. Exports to GLTF, FBX, USDZ for game engines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mach vs Polycam: which should you choose?

Polycam and Mach serve entirely different use cases. Choose Polycam if you need affordable, versatile 3D scanning (objects, interiors, floor plans, drones) with a free tier and rich exports. Choose Mach if you are a civil engineering firm that needs automated, design-grade road feature extraction from mobile LiDAR data (100x faster). Most buyers will not cross-shop them; the decision is about domain, not features.

Can Polycam generate floor plans from LiDAR scans?

Yes, Polycam automatically generates floor plans from LiDAR scans, with a floor plan editor that can drag overlapping objects (as of March 2026).

Does Mach support drone or photogrammetry data?

No, Mach is designed for mobile LiDAR and imagery data from ground vehicles. It ingests data from Riegl, Trimble, Leica, and NavVis systems.

What is the free tier of Polycam?

Polycam's free tier allows limited captures and exports. For unlimited usage, subscribe to Pro (~$13.25/mo annual) or Team plans.

What file formats can Mach export to?

Mach exports to AutoCAD (DWG), Microstation (DGN), and ESRI Feature Service (geodatabase). It is tailored for engineering design workflows.

Which tool is better for 3D scanning objects?

Polycam is built for object and interior scanning with LiDAR, photogrammetry, and Gaussian splatting. Mach extracts road features, not general objects.

Can I use Mach for telecom infrastructure mapping?

Yes, Mach can extract utility poles and assets from mobile LiDAR, making it useful for telecom planners needing design-grade deliverables.

Does Polycam support drone photogrammetry?

Yes, Polycam processes drone-captured photos and video for photogrammetry, allowing 3D models of large areas.

Is there a free trial for Mach?

Mach requires contacting sales for a demo or trial. There is no public free tier.

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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026