Onlook vs Polycam
Side-by-side comparison of features, pricing, and ratings
At a glance
| Dimension | Onlook | Polycam |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | freemium · from For Teams Custom | freemium · from Free $0/mo |
| Best for | Designers who want to work directly in the codebase, React developers building design systems | Architects and engineers needing on-site floor plans and measurements, Forensics teams requiring fast, accurate scene documentation |
| Standout features | Visual editor for React & TailwindCSS apps writes real code · AI-powered chat to generate and fix code via natural language · Live preview and editing of React component tree | AI-assisted photogrammetry from photos and video · LiDAR scanning for detailed 3D objects · Spatial capture for interiors with AI processing |
| Viability score | 77/100 | 95/100 |
| API | Yes | Yes |
Onlook is the stronger pick for designers who want to work directly in the codebase; Polycam fits better for architects and engineers needing on-site floor plans and measurements.
Built from live tool data, last verified 2026-07-06.
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
Which is better, Onlook or Polycam?
The best choice between Onlook 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 Onlook 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 Onlook 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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