Onlook vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Onlook | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Use Case | Live visual React/TailwindCSS editor | 3D scanning & floor plans |
| Pricing | Freemium (Pro ~$20/mo) | Freemium (Pro ~$8/mo) |
| Key Output | Production React code, design tokens | 3D models, point clouds, floor plans |
| AI Capabilities | AI chat to generate/fix code | AI generator (beta) + texture generator (beta) |
| Integrations | React, Tailwind, Next.js, Storybook, shadcn/ui | 15+ formats (GLTF, OBJ, …) |
| Platform | Desktop app (plus self-hosted) | iOS, Android, Web |
Choose Polycam if you capture the physical world — objects, rooms, drones — and need usable 3D models or floor plans. Choose Onlook if you ship React/TailwindCSS apps and want a visual designer that writes real code. They solve opposite problems; your choice depends entirely on whether your output is 3D geometry or production UI code.
AI-powered 3D scanning, floor plans, and reality capture for mobile, drones, and teams.
Visit WebsiteWhat real users say: Onlook 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.
Onlook
39 mentions across 3 sources · 57% positive — mixed
Hacker News, GitHub, Lemmy
What users praise
- • Tight feedback loop from design to real React code.
- • Fully replaced Figma for some users, according to HN.
- • Open-source and free for individuals and small teams.
- • AI-powered editing and code generation via natural language.
What frustrates them
- • Cannot import existing projects in the beta version.
- • Generated code includes unwanted selector IDs needing cleanup.
- • Limited to Next.js, React, Storybook, and shadcn/ui currently.
- • Only one CLI connection available in the desktop app.
Researched Jul 3, 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
- Solo architect doing field surveysPick: Polycam
Polycam’s LiDAR scanning and automatic floor plan generation directly produce measurable 2D plans and 3D models from site visits, saving hours of manual drafting.
- React developer building a design systemPick: Onlook
Onlock writes real React/Tailwind code visually, letting you style components and export tokens that are immediately usable in your codebase — no handoff friction.
- VFX artist scanning propsPick: Polycam
Polycam exports to GLTF, OBJ, FBX, and USDZ, which are standard in 3D pipelines; the beta AI texture generator and HDRI presets speed up asset creation.
- Product team using TailwindCSSPick: Onlook
Onlook’s visual editor and AI chat let designers and developers collaborate on the same codebase, eliminating design‑to‑development handoff and ensuring pixel‑perfect output.
- Forensics team documenting scenesPick: Polycam
Polycam’s fast LiDAR capture and ability to export point clouds (LAS, PLY) with georeferencing (via CloudCompare tutorials) provides accurate, court‑ready documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Onlook vs Polycam: which should you choose?
Choose Polycam if you capture the physical world — objects, rooms, drones — and need usable 3D models or floor plans. Choose Onlook if you ship React/TailwindCSS apps and want a visual designer that writes real code. They solve opposite problems; your choice depends entirely on whether your output is 3D geometry or production UI code.
Can I use Polycam without an iOS LiDAR device?
Yes — Polycam also works with Android ARCore and can create 3D models from regular photos and video using AI-assisted photogrammetry.
Does Onlook work with plain HTML/CSS (no React)?
No — Onlook is designed specifically for React and TailwindCSS codebases. It edits the React component tree and generates JSX/CSS-in-JS or Tailwind classes.
Which tool exports floor plans as PDF or DXF?
Polycam’s autogenerated floor plans can be exported as DXF and other CAD-compatible formats. Onlook does not produce floor plans.
Can Onlock replace Figma for UI design?
Not entirely — Onlook is optimized for already-coded projects. Figma excels at high-fidelity mockups; Onlook edits live codebases. Many teams use both.
Is Polycam’s AI 3D model generator production-ready?
It’s still in beta, so quality varies. For critical projects, use traditional photogrammetry or LiDAR scanning for reliable results.
Can I self-host Onlook?
Yes, Onlook is open-source and offers a self-hostable option, giving you full control over data and deployments.
Does Polycam support drone photogrammetry?
Yes — Polycam processes drone images to create 3D models and point clouds, suitable for site surveys and mapping.
Does Onlook have a mobile app?
No, Onlook is a desktop application optimized for larger screens; mobile editing is not supported.
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Last reviewed: July 3, 2026